Team updates: late signups, practice starts Tuesday Feb 3

Some quick updates for the next few days:

Late Signups

Missed signups? Bring the paperwork and two checks with you to practice. Requirements are on the team site's signups page: ctktrack.org/signups.html

I am putting together a roster and mailing list from those who have signed up the first two nights.

First practice Tuesday February 3, 5pm at College Park track

You may park in the large lot under the solar panels and then walk your athlete down to the track. There are stairs near the school-side corner of the lot, and a paved path leading along the side of the baseball field to the stadium. Athletes should resist the urge to run up and down the hillside and climb fences.

Please walk your athletes down to the track to avoid anyone wandering off. We are planning to meet in the stands as usual. Athletes need to stay off the track until instructed by a coach. Be safe! We're not the only team that uses this facility.

Practice ends at dusk, which is around 5:40-5:45pm right now. Parents are welcome to stay and watch from the stands or from the comfort of their vehicles. I will blow a whistle near the end of practice as your signal to be ready to take your darlings back home. If you position yourself near the water fountains, you have a good chance of catching your athlete as they ignore you in their pack of new track buddies.

If you have turned in all your completed paperwork, adults do not need to stay at practice, but do need to be back in time for pickup. Please don't make your athletes suffer the embarrassment of being the Last Kid Waiting with me and the coaches.

College Park is planning to do stadium construction this year: it's unclear if or when this will affect us. As with all CYO activities, we will flex and bend to accommodate. Stay tuned.

Being Prepared

Athletes should come to practice:

• On time. We only practice until dusk, which comes fast at this time of year. I know that religious education goes until 5pm for some families (mine included.) It's fine if you need to be a bit late.
• Dressed appropriately. It can be cold and windy at the track. Dress in layers, and label every piece of clothing. Our Lost & Found pile historically starts at first practice.
• Have water to drink. A reusable sport bottle with plain water is the best drink, and the only beverage allowed on College Park's track and turf -- no sports drinks. Label the bottle, too!
• Be wearing running shoes. A good pair of running shoes is your athlete's best friend. Flats, basketball shoes, and skate shoes (Vans) are not running shoes, and can lead to injury. Don't risk it!
  
  Local stores like Fleet Feet in Pleasant Hill, Road Runner in Concord, and Athletic Outpost in Walnut Creek can fit your athlete with a good pair of shoes, and will often give you a discount if you mention that you're buying them for CYO track.

Athletes never need track shoes ("spikes") at practice, and generally don't need them at all.

I'll talk about this more as we get closer to the meets, but a plain pair of non-weaponized running shoes is what we want to see at practice.