General Information

TANGLEWOOD RUNNING CLUB INFORMATION SHEET

The TRC is open to all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students at Tanglewood Elementary School.  Parents of eligible students are encouraged to join us as well.  If you plan on running this season in any local races, please come out and train with us.  The number of parents at practice will help create a safer environment for us to run in.  Even if you don’t run walkers are helpful to monitor when we run laps around the park.

WHAT TIME AND WHO’S COACHING

Practices are held immediately after school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until 4:00.  Pick up will be promptly at 4:00.

Ruth Nethery                                                                home: 817-923-2660

                                                                                    Cell: 817-296-4078

Kelly Mackenzie (most Friday’s)

 WEATHER/CANCELLATIONS

We will not have practices if it is raining or if the temperature falls below 40 degrees.  If in doubt, please call us.  To the best of our ability a cancellation decision will be made and communicated via email the night before.  If that is not possible, we will try to make a decision by noon and communicate it by email.  We will ask the school to make an announcement if practice is cancelled.

WORKOUT FORMAT

10 min.-warm up exercise, stretch, strengthening, and, fitness educational instruction

40 min.- running time, drills, games (cardiovascular training)

10 min.- cool down and stretch

APPROPRIATE ATTIRE

Please wear running shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather. We will have TRC shirts for you to wear if you want for practice.   The shirts will need to be worn during the races for higher visibility of our team and safety.

Bring a water bottle to every practice!  Hydration is critical. Write your name in permanent marker on your bottle.  If a full bottle is too heavy for your backpack, bring it and fill it at the water fountain prior to practice. 

WHERE

Our meeting spot will be on the Tanglewood playground next to the library immediately after the dismissal bell. We will usually do our warm-up there.  We will use two different practice areas.  One is inside the fenced area behind the school building.  The second is at Tanglewood Park, between Hartwood and Bellaire streets.   

GENERAL INFORMATION

We will have special recognition after each race we enter as a school team.  The school will probably let us continue to post our race results and medals in the glass cases in the foyer. 

RUNNING COACHES AND VOLUNTEER PARENTS

Our primary tasks involve encouragement and safety at training sessions and races for all participants. We are the eyes and ears on the train.  Please emphasize courtesy on the trail.  This year we will add curriculum that will helps us learn good healthy habits.  My goal is only to educate the children and be a role model for a healthier lifestyle. I welcome suggestions and any comments.

SAFETY

We do not want any accidents and have not had any serious accidents in the history of TRC.  While we want everyone to enjoy themselves, we stress that safety is the most important thing while we train.  The following are some potential hazards to be aware of along the way.

1.      Some of the common hazards that could be encountered on the trail include: scrapes, bruises, sprains, insect bites, blisters, dehydration, bad weather and exposure to sun and wind.  Many of these can be prevented by using common sense.  We will deal with any situation that may arise.

2.      When we encounter other people o the trail, we must show them courtesy a all times.  Say” excuse me”, “on your left of right” as we pass by.  Move out of the way of any biker, walker, or runner that is also using the trail by staying to the right.  We are not to stop and talk to strangers or even people we know along the trail.  Many people are walking with pets.  Do not stop and approach any pets.

3.       All runners must establish a running buddy.  This will happen over time as you see runners with similar abilities as you.

4.      Cars are a supreme hazard.  No one training with TRC is ever to run on the road during practices.  We will use the trail on the interior of the park.  All running, passing, etc. is to be done on the trail, not on the road.  Runners are forbidden to approach any vehicle or talk to anyone in a vehicle other than a parent of guardian.  All parents will be on the lookout for cars moving slowly or stopping along the course and are urged to contact a coach or call 911. If approached, all runners should immediately run away and yell for help.  We will stress to our runners that no one in a vehicle should have any reason to talk to them.

5.      The creek at Tangelwood is strictly off limits.  Anyone playing in the creek will be asked to leave or sit out until their parents can pick them up.

We are looking forward to a good season of running.  We will participate in 3 or 4 organized races as a team.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.