Confidence is Key: 10 Ways to Help Your Athletes Race Their Best

Published October 9, 2024 

Share This with Your Athletes

You can find a useful article - ​10 Keys for a Great Race in October and November​ - which that you can share with your athletes. Don't worry - it doesn't have any tips or information that will run counter to what you're telling them to get ready to crush their races this month.

I want to highlight the last item on the list, which has to do with instilling confidence in your athletes.

Something I see more in 2024 than I ever did in 2014 or 2004 is that fit kids—kids who’ve put in the work—are worried they can’t race fast. But we both know they can. It’s our job as coaches to remind them that they have what it takes.

Make sure your athletes know:

"You Have What It Takes"

Just tell them the following...

You have what it takes to run a great race.

You have what it takes to endure discomfort in the last mile.

You have what it takes to speed up and take 10 quick steps when you see a competitor pulling away from you.

You have what it takes to keep an athlete from passing you.

You have what it takes to run hard in the last 100m, 200m, or even 400m and run down your competition.

You’re fit, you’re mentally strong, and you’re prepared to race to your fitness level.

The full list is in the article - read it ​here​ - or you can ​download the PDF​ to share with your athletes.

2025 Boulder Running Clinics – January 17-18 – Boulder, Colorado

We’ve got an all-star lineup of speakers this year:

Dr. Jeffrey Messer Assistant Professor, Exercise and Sport Sciences Program, Augustana University

Jeff coached JoJo Jourdon, who not only won NXN (!) but also broke 4 minutes indoors last year. We all want to know what he did for training, and Jeff will share everything—from summer prep through NXN, and even how he approached getting a kid to break 4 minutes. The best part? His methods apply just as well to the 4:40 runner, the 5:20 runner, or any athlete trying to break 5 minutes.

Marie Davis Markham & Eric Dettman Coaches, Lincoln High School (OR)

Marie and Eric have the Lincoln HS program trending as one of the best in the nation after their girls made NXN last year. They’ll share their approach to both training and building an incredible team culture. We’re workshopping a second talk with them as well, focusing on non-training aspects of their success—and I’m confident it’s going to be fantastic.

Alex Lyons Coach, Olympus High School (UT)

Alex is back this year with another non-training presentation that’s going to be a must-see. Last year’s was a hit, and he’s ready to bring more insight to help you elevate your program.

Sean O’Day Coach, Cheyenne Mountain High School (CO)

Sean uses something called "flux training" to get his team competing at a high level. I have zero idea how this works, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to learn more about it. If you’re curious about new training methods that can push your athletes further, Sean’s talk will be eye-opening.

Fireside Chat

To cap it off, Alex Lyons will sit down with Dr. Jeffrey Messer for another fireside chat. This format was a huge hit last year, and I can guarantee this conversation is going to be one of the highlights of the clinic.

And of course, as we’ve done for the past few years, the two coaches' socials are a huge part of the event. For some attendees, these gatherings are just as enjoyable and educational as the presentations themselves. It’s the "clinic after the clinic," with plenty of space to connect, learn, and relax with fellow coaches.

If you’re wondering whether the trip is worth it, here’s what Coach Hayes has to say:

"I have been coming to the Boulder Running Clinic since 2019...and it has been the single greatest thing for my coaching career." – Coach Jake Hayes

Tickets are on sale today. Click the button to learn more about the event!

...I can hear you and a coaching friend say via text, "Let's go to Boulder!" 😀

Book Your Room Now at the Newest Hotel in Boulder

Our host hotel, Embassy Suites Boulder, is the newest hotel in town. You’ll get the lowest room rate available, a wonderful free breakfast every morning, and complimentary evening drinks at happy hour.

While we have a large room block reserved, these rooms will sell out before the clinic. So if you know you're attending, don’t wait to book your room!

Simply book your room through our clinic link, and you’re set for a top-notch experience.

I wish you and your team the best this month.

As one of my college teammates would say on race day...

It's Go Time!

Jay

PS – Here’s ​a tweet​ you might want to share with parents…

Parents:

Before championship meets, be mindful of how your energy, your tone, and even your posture impacts your runner.

When you’re with them, be positive and centered rather than “fired up” and “pumped.”

Also, it never hurts to remind them that how you feel about them today will not change when they cross the finish line.

It’s easy to assume that they know your love is forever and constant, and it doesn’t hurt to reiterate that.

I wish your runner the best!

(hat tip to Alex Lyons for the 2nd point)