Thinking about quitting high school xc

Yes you should quit. Show that bully who’s boss.

has anyone else on the team stopped carrying a wallet?

How many other kids have specifically quit due to the coach? Some will quit because they find out that they just aren't good enough or the workouts are too demanding. That's a little different. Is the school AD aware that you are out there practicing when it is above 92 degrees?

Sounds like you need to grow a pear.

If you stand up to the abuse first, others will follow your lead.

You're a senior, take charge and guide your team to resist.

No coach wins anything running a team in 100 F.

If you live in texas you should be use to 100 degrees. Hate coaches that do these kind of stupid punishments. Sounds like a jerk. Don't quit it's just as much your team as it is anyone else's . Maybe have the team sign a petition .

Get at least one teammate and all involved parents and schedule a meeting with the coach. Discuss exactly what you've written jn this post (but don't call him a bully as you did here.)

If that gets you nowhere, get the same teammate(s) and parents and go to the Athletic Director.

If that gets you now,go to the School Board with the same group of people.

In all your discussions, give specific examples with actual dates. If the coach is not present at the latter two meetings, bring up the bullying. With all the anti-bullying campaigns going on, that alone should get you somewhere.

Sand Dunes wrote:

Sounds like you need to grow a pear.

The Russians would suggest that he grow apples.

I mean I’m a junior in high school and although I’m running 70+ mile weeks with workouts, I would never think about walking. Walking is completely unacceptable and there really is no exscuse for that. So while the punishments are VERY extreme, he does have a point that walking should never be tolerated. Clearly his punishments aren’t working as your team clearly lacks the dicipline to run through soreness. So while he seems bad, I think you would never be in this situation if you put more effort in. Also, we practice through the heat. Where I live the summers get above 100 and super humid but we are just told to hydrate properly and continually hydrate and it never really seems to affect anyone. We still have to power through up tempo long runs whether it is 100 or -10 in the winter. If you aren’t willing to put in the work then maybe you should quit.

Are you the OP’s coach? I think a HS junior

wouldn’t write anything like that. Making runners plank on cement that’s so hot that they literally burn themselves is abuse.

Collective punishment is a common tactic and not "abuse." If we had a workout of, say, 12x400 under 70 and everyone didn't get under 70, then that rep didn't count. It was tough. Pluses and minuses to that approach, but, whatever....

Walking?! C'mon, bro. Maybe join marching band.

The heat...I don't know. I'm an old man and I did a workout of 800s the other day in high 90s with 75 dew point. My point: I didn't die. I know, I know, "there's a rule," but you can't just take the day off whenever it's hot. Global warming, bro!

The forced planking on hot concrete is terrible...no excuses for that.

A little advice: you only really have one argument against this guy...the forced planking on hot cement, which is cruel. If you water it down with all this other stuff, you'll sound like you're just a bunch entitled complaining poofs.

Email the principle and athletic director your complaints and concerns.

Add a link to an article about the University of Maryland football coach.

Maybe mention that you may contact the local paper.

Then seee if you can get teammates to join in your concerns and talk about quitting.

A bad coach should ruin student’s high school experiences.

Star wrote:

Email the principle and athletic director your complaints and concerns.

Add a link to an article about the University of Maryland football coach.

Maybe mention that you may contact the local paper.

Then seee if you can get teammates to join in your concerns and talk about quitting.

A bad coach should ruin student’s high school experiences.

Yeah, and say he filmed your team when you were in the shower.

Teacher/coaches are vermin.

This is what i would do: Get a bunch of people on the team to sign a petition or something like that stating that you want to fire the coach, or change his actions. Give the petition to the school athletic director or administrator, (or your coach if you are ballsy enough). I think if enough people sign the petition this will work because of the majority.

Have you just read "Once A Runner" book ? The story reminded me of it. No complain, no walking. Just go to coach's room, Sincerely forward your complaints, without disrespect. Honesty requires this.

Yes it sounds like you have a below average coach, but you sound like a wimp. Suffering through training is one thing, but to willfully walk? Regardless of how bad your training is, that is about the one no no in running. Your coach was right to send you home for that, you're so sore/tired you have to walk, what do you think your coach should do, work you harder? At that point, there is no point in you continuing practice as you aren't getting anything out of it.

Also 15 mins of plank is just core work, thats not some kind of grueling punishment. Be glad that is all your coach has you do for punishment. Most runners are doing that a few times a week just as part of their training.

I know kids are soft these days but I hope this is a troll.

Sand Dunes wrote:

Sounds like you need to grow a pear.

Does growing fruit help?

Quit and start lifting weights. Run 20-25 mins for cardio a 3-5 times a week. Get jacked before college and start smashing chicks. Quitting XC/track was the best choice I ever made... SRS.