I had an interesting conversation with a kid after XC practice today. He has a basketball background and is a first year runner who is in his junior year. Though we have only run a time trial the kid competes hard and has a strong work ethic.
He asked about a few runners and mentioned how many seemed not to be dedicated.
He's right. While for the most part our varsity team works hard that is really only our top 7-10 runners. We are a team of about 60. Many are doing a sport for the first time, don't know how to compete, or overcome pain. Today they ran 5 miles which was huge for these kids.
He mentioned that in basketball is someone doesn't give a full effort the team pays for it. "That they would be told to leave their shoes at the court and only come back when they are ready to work." (His words).
I mentioned it's hard to judge as a coach what's a good effort. If someone has never gone for a 5 mile run before and does it for the first time... Be it slow, is that a good effort?
I'm intregued by this conversation. XC is not basketball. We don't cut. Kids are trying something new, many for the first time. Running is hard and generally I try to focus on improving, teaching them to live the sport and bind as a team. But is there something to this?
Opinions and advice are appreciated. I'm a bit perplexed.