THE MUSINGS OF INTERN TIM
volume 2

After attending Big River Running Company's cross country camp a couple of weeks ago, I found myself inspired, educated, and motivated to grab my running shoes, train hard, and set some new PRs. And I wasn't even a camper – I was a counselor and cameraman for the week.

The camp was held every morning from July 20th through the 24th. Middle and high school runners of all abilities impressed me all week long by getting up early and showing up to work hard. I was privileged to be present and watch genuine growth and improvement take place.

Every day, the campers did some sort of a workout in preparation for a 2-mile race at the end of the week. The workouts were scheduled and led by the camp's experienced staff, including Big River's own Ben Rosario and Matt Helbig. Collegiate runners and high-achieving high school runners also spent the week helping out and sharing their training, racing, and life experiences with the campers. 

Although everyone ran the workouts at his or her own pace, an admirable amount of effort was put into each and every run. The workout schedule was as follows:

DAY 1 – light run: 2 to 8 miles 
DAY 2 – there-and-back tempo run: 2 to 4 miles 
DAY 3 – long run: 3 to 8 miles 
DAY 4 – light run: station-to-station run of approximately 3.5 miles 
DAY 5 – race day: 2 mile cross country race

I had the opportunity to lead a group of sixth through ninth grade girls on a 2-mile run through Queeny Park on the first day of camp. Some of the girls had been training for a few weeks with their school teams, while others were new to the sport. Over the course of that run, some of the girls fell back and some pulled ahead. A couple of the girls even asked if they could run a bit further. But regardless of how that initial jog went for them, each one of those girls who started the race on the last day of camp crossed the finish line. And not only did they reach the finish line, but every camper in the race crossed it with dominion. If that kind of improvement and confidence could be earned in one week of hard work at camp, just imagine what these runners are capable of accomplishing during an entire cross country season!

The improvement I saw throughout the week wasn't just present on the running trails. There were so many opportunities each day for the campers to learn more about the sport we all love. Ben Rosario spent time each day speaking to the campers about topics ranging from setting goals to keeping a proper training log and finding the right pair of shoes. The counselors fielded questions from the campers, and a film about a successful high school cross country team was shown.

And, of course, there were games played each and every day! These included a massive egg-toss competition, several rounds of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, a station-to-station scavenger hunt in Queeny Park, and a laugh-inducing “Dizzy Bat” race. These activities allowed the campers to have fun while getting to know each other – their fellow teammates and competitors – even better. The week culminated in a Friday night pool party at Shaw Park following the race; so, clearly, the good times were in abundance!

As the camp cameraman and video guy, I was right in the middle of just about every activity that took place. In a sense, I was one of the campers (although the cameras in my hands excused me from tagging along on most of the runs). Thus, I was witness to so much laughter, friend-making, and commendable effort. And although I'm not writing to recruit anyone for next year's camp, I can say with complete honesty that this camp is so worthwhile for any middle- or high-schooler with an interest in running. It's not often that young people have the opportunity to learn, train, and play with some of the most experienced and personable runners in Saint Louis! In fact, such an experience is something that I had only dreamed about when I was in school here. I started running two and a half years ago as a junior in high school, and I only wish that I had known about this camp back then. Even now, with a couple of years of training and competitive races under my belt, I learned so much from being present at this cross country camp.

Do you know what a tempo run is? How about a stability shoe? When should you start your final sprint at the end of a race? Could you put together a training plan for yourself? All these questions – and many, many more – were addressed at Big River's camp. Of course, we are always welcome to walk into the store and get our questions answered there. But the opportunity to be in a team atmosphere for an entire week of growth is ideal for adolescents, who are just beginning to consider, experience, and master the finer aspects of running.

As a society, we are so used to seeing excellence in athletics that we often forget how every athlete begins. Some of those who have reached great heights may have been naturally gifted in their sport; but the fact of the matter is that no one achieves excellence without hard work over an extended period of time. For middle and high school athletes, that time begins now. The hard work that improvement necessitates goes on behind the scenes and away from the camera lens, but it does occur. Our Olympians, professionals, and All-Americans had to begin somewhere, and their triumphs are the fruitage of their dedication and desire.

Effective training requires a positive mentality and proper knowledge of the sport; and one week at Big River's cross country camp provided quite a bit of this knowledge. I'll be following the successful cross country seasons that the campers have this fall, and I suggest that you all do the same.

--Tim Butterfield

Other Articles from Intern Tim:
All Star 5k

SUPPORT THE STORE THAT SUPPORTS THE SPORT!

Big River Running Company
14059 Manchester Road
Manchester, MO 63011
636.394.5500

5352 Devonshire Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63109
314.832.2400