The Little Things . . . a Going the Distance newsletter Late August 2017 || issue #59
Share on Facebook |  Coaches Oliver and Braz review this morning's drills | Last morning of the GTD xc program was August 18. After 6 weeks of intense work, we asked Coach Sarah Oliver if she was going to miss this - the bright morning sun, glistening open fields, the Jesus Hill, the conditioning drills that were different each of the 18 sessions, and the often bubbly but always hard-working runners. “I’ve loved every moment on the field coaching this summer and look forward to next summer, but no, I’m eager and excited to get back to college in a few days.” Exactly. The conditioning and training are done. The "edge" has been applied, whether it is applied to running, soccer, field hockey, or another sport. It was a great summer. Now it's time for athletes to move on to their sport and school. Have a great academic year and athletic season -- see you next summer (or maybe sooner!). | Coach: A short note to let you know that we love your GTD program. It is the second glorious year of torture that results in smiles and a "six pack"! My daughter jumps in the car, utterly exhausted and yet, miraculously is...happy?! We spend the car ride chatting about each exercise performed, agonizing over the inevitable "Jesus Hill" session and laughing at the banter exchanged with her coaches. GTD is a must for all but it is especially recommended for female athletes, because it's more than a fitness program. GTD prepares young women for the rigors of fall sports, prevents injury and without fail, adds a psychological piece missing in most programs: confidence/mental toughness. How? By consistently providing an environment where each athlete feels challenged, successful, and valued. Megan Blood (Marblehead) | Many of the athletes in this summer's xc and all-sports programs are off to college. Here are some of the colleges they are attending -- Bates, Elon University, Stonehill, University of Rhode Island, Lynn University, Boise State, Vassar, Franklin Pierce, UMass/Amherst, UConn/Storrs, George Washington, Wentworth, WPI, Boston College, Worcester State, American University, Eastern Kentucky, UMass/Dartmouth, Fitchburg State, Westfield State, Regis College, St. Michaels College, North Shore Community College, Plymouth State, UMass/Lowell, Emerson College Athletes in the GTD summer programs came from 39 different towns in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. | Fernando Braz has been named boys Head Coach for xc at Peabody HS, starting with the 2017 season. He also continues as Head Coach for indoor and outdoor track at Peabody HS. He was Head Coach for xc at Lawrence HS from 1993 to 1998, and since 2011 he has trained collegiate, high school, and middle school runners in the GTD summer xc conditioning program. Coach Braz was the first high school athlete to win back-to-back All-State titles in cross-country in the history of Massachusetts. While in high school (Peabody), he won 12 individual state titles in cross-country and track. At Boston College, he was xc MVP three times, and was the first Boston College distance runner to qualify for the NCAA championships in both cross-country and track. | Hi Fernando, my daughter Bianca has attended your speed and conditioning training this summer and she loved it!!! She's sad it's ending tomorrow she wants more!!! Your program has challenged her physically and mentally and she is always willing and wanting to do better and more. Rose Perullo (Rowley) |  It was past closing time on the morning of August 18, last day of GTD XC for the summer, but some runners had not left for college or work or "the next thing". | | Ever wonder what color they will be? We all do! In 2011 and 2012 they were bright orange. In 2013 it was neon yellow, followed by light blue in 2014. These shirts were all men's style shirts -- the potato-sack style. In 2015 we introduced women's style shirts (made to fit women better).
Note that all GTD shirts are "adult" sizes -- men/women, not boys/girls. So, in 2015 we went back to bright orange for the boys, to clash nicely with hot pink for the girls. In 2016, we asked a select group of "mature" athletes in the program to choose the colors. Choices were very split, so we had a 2nd round of voting (and maybe a third) before lime green became the boys color and it was purple for the girls.
For 2017, we went back to a single color. |  With the 2017 Braz Camp shirt, Nadja Ueckert-LaPlante, Leah Rudolph, Lilly Brennan, Emily Christensen (photo courtesy of Lilly) | | Coach Braz provides personal, one-on-one coaching for runners at all levels who want to improve their performance or want a guided maintenance program. The program is designed for runners who have a specific racing goal, or a series of races to prepare for, or want to build or maintain their running fitness. Your personal program may include a weekly track session that may be done at a site convenient to you or with Coach Braz on Tuesday evenings at the Beverly High School track. Program details
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