For you HS coaches out there...
How much trouble do you have getting kids to run on their own? I have lots. Of a team of 38 kids, only 3 made our summer goal of 500 miles (which they had 98 days to achieve). Only an additional 5 made the secondary goal of 300 miles. That means that leading into cross country season, less than 25% of my team was able to average more than 3 miles per day.
I have tried tons of incentives. For example, this summer, we met twice weekly for organized runs. I set the kids up in 4 groups to compete for mileage totals with each other. I created a team blog where I would post each weeks individual totals and group totals. I awarded 500 mile club shirts and 300 mile club shirts for those who reached those plateaus.
My team was relatively successful this year with the boys placing 3rd place in our sectional meet and 22nd at state (CA Division 4). My top girl was 8th in the state. As I and the boys were watching the awards ceremony, one boy said, "I'd do anything to be up there next year". I told him that the thing he needed to do was to run consistantly. I don't believe he has run a step since that day.
I'm wondering if my experiences are the norm or far from it. I'd appreciate hearing from other HS coaches.