Track Mom.. “Everything Youth Track and Field”

It’s unanimous ,most  health experts agree that breakfast is your most important meal of the day. Many youth athletes skip breakfast altogether because they say” I just can’t eat before I run. Not quite the way to optimize performance. After the ‘fast’ of eight or ten hours, it is important to supply your athletes body with high quality food choices to start out the competition day.

One of the  best ways to promote a power packed breakfast is to make a protein shake made with a quality whey protein powder. Here’s why you’ll want to make  whey part of your youth  athletes no-nonsense breakfast of champions:

•  Gets you out the door quickly each day fueled with a high quality, low carbohydrate, protein-rich supplement to help meet your protein needs.

       Supports healthy blood sugar levels*.

  Sustains your athlete for hours — unlike many carb-based cereals*. It provides you with prolonged energy throughout the morning*.

• Makes a convenient and delicious morning smoothie. Finally – a breakfast supplement beverage without guilt…
• Prevents grabbing unhealthy but convenient “fast food.” It can become your “go to” meal supplement when you’re rushed, haven’t been to the store, or you’re feeling less than creative in the kitchen.

For the sake of refueling their bodies with real nutrients in the morning, you can’t beat the simplicity and speed of whipping up a whey protein drink supplement.

You can also add it to raw milk, kefir, or your favorite yogurt. Or you can mix in some nuts or a tiny bit of fruit for flavor. (Some parents even hide powdered or liquid vitamins, fish oil, or other nutrients their kids won’t otherwise take in their protein drink. Shhh! Don’t tell.) I put fresh spinach in Lauren’s, she can’t even tell.

I place it in a travel cup so she can’t see the color .Works like a charm, and she get a great morning start before every meet.

Get your youth’s track meet days off to a jack rabbit start  from now on. It is truly is my secret weapon to a fast race.

Until Next Time

I know that many parents are going to over look this post because you think it won’t happen to your youth athlete or you simply don’t want to address the possibility…Do me a favor place it in your favorites for a friend  or the future just in case…..Being prepared is always a good thing.

Every athlete, regardless of his or her skill level, will go through a grieving process after incurring an injury - without exception. In 1969, Kubler-Ross first outlined the stages of grief a person goes through when facing a serious or career ending injury, death or serious disease prognosis.

An understanding of the four stages of managing grief: denial, anger, depression and acceptance will help you in supporting youth athlete through them.The parent/and or coach can also goes through similar stages.

Denial

Initially, the athlete cannot believe the injury is severe or that it will impact their ability to continue with their sport. Many have sound down a total myth of ”no pain means no gain”. If this is your youth athlete someone who has been training them has lost touch with current training and understanding of pain and injury. Pain is an indicator, a fire alarm that something has gone wrong ,and need immediate attention. the realization that the pain is stopping them from participating leads to the next stage.

Anger

Denial quickly turns to anger as the reality of the situation settles in and the athlete is forced by the circumstances to alter or even stop their participation in their sport. Recovery is often not an easy path and the athlete becomes frustrated and more irritated with the pace of the rehabilitation process. At this point, the coach is in an ideal position to be a sounding board for the athlete’s exasperation, and help ease their aggressiveness toward the athletic trainers who are trying to get them back in shape. Realizing the athlete is angry at their loss of ability to perform, their loss of power over what has happened to them and the current situation they now find themselves in are important points to keep in mind while dealing with the individual.Realization is often slower in less dramatic injuries ,simply due to the fact that children under report or over report severity and the parent or coach have to get to the bottom of what is bothering the child,if it is not apparently obvious immediately.  

Depression

Self worth becomes an issue at this point in the process and depression sets in due to the reality of the situation now being fully realized. The athlete begins to feel as though he or she has no physical or emotional control. The team continues onward without them, which leaves a  temprary but distinct void in their life and this can  lead to feelings of isolation, further self-doubt and lowering of their self-esteem. Hope for a successful outcome becomes cloudy and they may not see any good coming from the rehabilitation process. It is the parents job to reassure and openly discuss the athletes feelings to help encourage and reassure the athlete that the best out come will be worked toward.

This stage is incredibly difficult, but it’s important to remember here the progress they have made and keep them engaged in their recovery. 

Acceptance and Recovery 

Once you’re clearer about what’s going on within you, there are several things you can do to optimize your recovery:

Determine your needs and build a team for your athlete to meet those needs.Perhaps you’re the kind of person who just needs a great doctor. On the other hand, you might benefit from support and guidance from such people as a physical therapist, alternative healthcare practitioners, a coach, a trainer, family and friends, a counselor or therapist, or clergy.

Since it’s critically important to see health care professionals with whom you feel highly comfortable and trusting, you may need to get clearer beforehand on what affects your feelings of comfort and trust. Is it the person’s approach to treatment and recovery? Their bedside manner? The cost? Whether they’re on your insurance plan? Whether they’ve been referred to you by someone you trust?

And don’t forget: you and your youth athlete are on the team, too. How you relate to yourself and each other during your recovery– self-talk, how emotions are manged, your expectations–may make the biggest difference of all. Speaking of which…

1. Set and reset your expectations for the recovery process/time as accurately as possible.  
2. Minimize any decline in  physical fitness. You may be off running , but you may not be completely prevented from doing  other activity. Physiologically, exercise will tend to help combat any mood or anxiety problems that they may experience as a result of the injury. Plus, if they can see and feel that certain non-injured areas of their body are staying strong–or perhaps even getting stronger–their outlook will tend to improve.

 Before you know it your athlete will be back on Track…… You can grow through Injury and  pehaps prevent another.   

                           Happy Mother’s Day

I was at  a track meet yesterday in San Diego and although it was farther than we normally travel for a meet(200miles) It was refreshing to get away for the day,In a new environment, new people, new athletes as well. We took the Bantam Girls from our team, Quite Fire.They had a very good day,between them there were 4 Pr’s 3 second best times.  They had such a good time running and spending time with each other. Of course as we drove home the question came up, can the girls spend the night? Well it was fine with me but,I said, “What about your Mom’s? It’s Mother’s Day tomorrow” They said it would be okay not really thinking it through.I spoke to one parent then the other and they said okay. The girls had such a good day, the parents didn’t want it to end ,even through it meant not having them home last night or this morning.

Mom’s know stuff, lot’s of stuff, mostly that it’s not about us even on our special day : ). So a great Mother’s day for me is the happiness and well being  of my child.

Lauren told Henry last night this was this meet was the best yet.She was only measuring by “fun” not by how  well they all did. That is really all I could ask for. 

I think today  is “Mission accomplished” I am having a Happy Mother’sDay.

If you haven’t seen the first two parts of this series  Mother’s Day Special Track Mom Alisa Harvey 800m Runner Alisa Harvey (Part 2 ) A Special Track Mom  Check it out and don’t miss the Freebies For Mom… Celebrating TrackMom’s For Mother’s Day

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                   Alisa Harvey  In Her Own Words

When I asked Alisa about her family and children,I heard through the phone her voice soften and a distinct happy lift. Alisa is the proud mother of two beautiful girls Virginia, and Kyah.Wife to Leslie McFarling.The family resides in  Manassa, Virgina.

            Alisa Harvey, A Mom,Wife and a Great Runner

Tell me a little about your daughters  Virgina and Kyah.

“ My 13-year-old daughter, Virginia, is just lately showing an interest in running track.  She will be going into high school next year.  We have had discussions about whether she will run cross-country in the fall or not.  As of now she does not want to run cross-country, but she does want to run indoor and outdoor track.  Virginia is on a travel soccer team.  She is taller than I am and has long speedy legs.  She has played soccer since she was eight.  When she was 11 she entered a mile fun run/walk with my husband and youngest daughter while I ran the 5K.  She ran ahead and mistakenly ran the 5k instead of cutting short and just doing a mile.  She ran about 28 minutes for 5K.  She always does well in her P. E. classes at school.

My 6-year-old daughter, Kyah (rhymes with Maya), loves to run.  She began walking at eight months.  As a toddler she would do laps around the inside of our house.  Kyah has had continuous T&F images since she was born.  I ran in a road race with her in a baby jogger (and won first place) when she was four-months-old.  I have used my home treadmill around her since birth.  I strapped her in a Snuggly around my body while I coached at George Mason University when she was a baby.  As she got older she would try to do the running drills and run all the way around the indoor and outdoor tracks.  Now she is on The Running Store kids track club. 

 How long have you been married?

I have been married to my current husband almost seven years (June 2,).  My oldest daughter was born in my first marriage.  I was married seven years to in my first marriage.  My name was Alisa Hill.  After my divorce I returned to my maiden name, Harvey.  I did not want to change my name again.  So, my husband’s name is Leslie McFarling.  Kyah’s last name is McFarling.  Virginia’s last name is Hill.  A touch confusing, I know, but I just did not want to leave my family name again.  With my notoriety from running I felt it was important to stay with my birth name. Leslie is a very suportive husband.We are in this together.

What are some of your favorite pass times when not running?

 I am a big T. V. watcher.  Oprah is one of my favorite shows.  My Saturday line-up  includes Cops, and America’s Most Wanted.  I have enjoyed Law & Order for years.  I also enjoy hair-braiding.  I braid my own hair; cornrows, micro-braids, extensions, etc.  I have braided both my daughter’s hair, usually in the summer.  Occasionally, I will paint.  I have been painting a woman running by the ocean for the last six-months.  I keep coming back to it.  I am using acrylics.

Who were some of your role models growing up?

 I have a few role models:  I was mesmerized by Nadia Komeniche, the Romanian Olympic Gold Medal Gymnast from the 1976 Olympics.  I watched her perform on TV as a young girl.  I also was inspired by the TV movie “Wilma”from the 1970’s.    “Wilma” was about the American Olympic Medalist Wilma Rudolph who was raised in poverty and overcame polio to become a track star.  I taught myself gymnastics and began running summer track meets when I was around 10 or 11-years-old.  I knew then that I wanted to be a World Class athlete.

What advice can you give moms of Elite Youth athletes to help them understand the journey of an elite athlete?

 Step back and give your child space.  It is a classic struggle.  A parent wants the best for their talented youngster, but it is a delicate balance.  Be sure to include your child in decision that affect him/her.  If you sense that they are not having fun with an event, club, coach, or competition ask them if they want to continue.  Children often don’t want to disappoint their parents when they see that their parents are becoming involved in what they are doing.  Don’t be afraid to give them some distance.  Be sure to give them distance as they mature.

My parents took me to the summer Hershey Hall Of Fame track series meets when I was 10, 11, and 12.  I loved it!  I never trained for the competitions.  I would spend time the night before making sure I had the perfect racing outfit.  We would pack up the family station-wagon and head over to the meet.  My brother and I would run.  My parents sat in the stands.  My parents never said a word.  No Gatorade.  No Power Bars.  Just Kool-Aid and chocolate bars. They did not know a thing about T&F.  We finished and went home.  When I got to high school I wanted to join the track team.  My parents did not influence me on my decisions.  When I joined the gymnastics team it was my decision.

Just be careful not to over train a young pre-pubescent female.  You can get amazing results in females while they are not fully developed.  The training can actually slow their development and cause injuries.  Emotionally, the injured young female athlete may become devastated and never return to the sport.

 I suffered from nasty shin-splints when I first began training during my freshman year in high school.  I was fully developed and my body was weak.  I took three months off from running, did gymnastics in the following winter season and came back to track the following spring injury free.

 What advice would you give to a woman who would like to run Masters after many inactive years?

 I would tell them to start slow.  More than likely a woman who now wants to run Masters has gained a few pounds since her prior training days.   A heavier inactive body is highly prone to injury.   Begin a strength training routine.  Make it a convenient routine in order to assure that you will actually get it done.  Push-ups, crunches, leg-raises, etc, can all be done in your living room.  The act of running is stressful on the joints, tendons, and muscles.  A woman must condition her body to endure the amount of stress necessary to complete the activity.  Start running by walking.  Once you master walking at a vigorous pace for 30 minutes, then begin to introduce short bursts of jogging into your 30 minute walks.  This allows your joints, tendons, and muscles a chance to adapt. Before you begin splurge on a trip to a technical running store and have yourself fitted with a proper shoe and sports bra.

Where have you found your motivation for running all these years?

 What is ahead for you the next 2 months?  Where can we expect to see you running?

 I am racing down at the University of North Carolina on the 17th of May at the UNC Elite Meet.  I will run the 800m. 

I don’t have anything else lined-up.  I have had to play it by ear this season.  I just recovered from a nasty IT Band/ Vastus Medialis injury.  I have had to readjust my racing schedule.  My big goal race is the Olympic Trials in the 800m.  I am qualified, but I need to improve my 2:05.75 time in order to assure myself a spot on the 30 person entry list.  The top 30 times get to race at the Trials.  I will look for races in the next few weeks. My goal for this season is to improve my 800 meter time of 2:05.75.  The faster the better!

 In addition, assess your health.  If you have had a history of anemia then you need to work on improving your condition.  Being anemic is a huge obstacle when attempting to get fit.  You simply will not have the energy to exercise.  Having a good diet is critical to being active.  You may need to add vitamins to your diet.  You may need to cut back on caffeine, drink more water, or get more sleep.

 I spoke to Alisa a few times via phone and e-mail andshe shared so much I am going to place the phone interview here on TrackMom.com soon so you can hear the complete phone interview. I hope you have it enjoyed  this time with Alisa  as much as  enjoyed sharing it with you.  Here’s wishing her much sucess and a exciting fast path to  Eugene in the weeks to come.  Happy Mother’s Day

Today is Part 2 of my 3 day Celebration of  a true Track Mom Alisa Harvey , If you missed yesterday  Mother’s Day Special Track Mom Alisha Harvey 800m Runner you have time to catch up. I have received such a positive response….. Wait until you hear more today. Alisa is  great role model and ambassador for having a healthy vibrant lifestyle your entire life, not just when your in college. 40 is the new 20  according to the way This  Woman Runs……Enjoy, Be Inspired To Your Own Greatness and Personal Sucess . 

 This is what people from across the country have to say about Alisa Harvey

“Congrats!!! THIS is a true Masters Runner competing at the highest level of track and field and being successful!”

“You represent the best of women’s track and field you have caused many to dream of competition one more time in the best part of our lives…midlife”

Almost 25 years ago, Alisa Harvey set the VHSL AAA State Meet record for 1600 meters at 4:50 in Newport News while competing for Thomas Jefferson High School (Alexandria). Now at age 42, Harvey is still racing and running a 4:50 mile as the World and American indoor masters record holder in the event. 

In the picture to the right,Alisa Harvey Over 25 years ago,she doesn’t look much different now, but she would tell you there is a lot different and maturity brings freedom to express and be exactly who you want to be. I asked her recently what has changed  and what has stayed the same for better or worse.She laughed a little and said well,I have seen a lot of changes ,some good some not so good but postive movement for the sport of Track and Field. 

She express the very same feelings that many have and currently are saying that love our sport say ,”There have been many “former” Track and Field athletes that have help form the USATF as well as govern it and direct a path for  a long time now. We both agree that it would be wonderful and prudent for a person who comes from a business background  to run the USATF Organization.  (For those of you that are interested the recently emptied postion of CEO is still empty as far as I know. Take the job and you  have tickets to  the Olypmics : )                                        

 As for advice for youth athletes, there were many points she shared ,but the top three sum up as follows:

1. Only you can motivate yourself to be what you can be in this sport. As you get older no one will be there but you to motivate you. Your motivatuon has to come from yourself.Don’t look to others to do what is your job. It is a lot of hard work.

2.Young ladies, beware, some  coaches will not have your best interest at  heart.They try and take advantage of your youth and lack of understanding and feelings about competing as you develop in the sport. Protect yourself simply for looking out for signs of inappropriate conduct toward you others

3.Seek to always enjoy what you are doing.If you(the youth athlete) seeks to make this a possible career one day, you will have much to look forward to in travel,new experiences and possibly a good amount of earnings . You will also have pricelss memories and lots of “stuff” from around the world to mark you journey over the years. ”If I never ran again I would be more than happy with what I have accomplished”.

For parents the advice is simple but powerful.

1. Allow your youth athlete to enjoy what every sports he is doing,never overly pushing toward any one sport. Let them enjoy as many as possible until they are into puberty and more or less forced to chose the sport they wantot focus on .

2. Remember that young girls can perform very well before puberty ,but after some will struggle as their bodies are changing and growing.They may become akward and uncomfortable in their own skin .They need time to catch up and “even out” Boys don’t have as much of a transition  as girls.

If you haven’t already checkout the photo montage http://photoshow.comcast.net/viewshow/xq2fX2qj 

Tomorrow  Part (3) Of The trackMom Alisa Harvey on  Mother’s Day. We will see pictures of Alisa’s beautiful children and husband  a little bit about family life as a Track Mom.

Until Next Time

           Alisa Harvey ….. A Mom That Loves To Run

Lorraine Williams May 9th,2008

Monday May 5^th I had a wonderful interview with Alisa Harvey 800m Elite and Master’s runner. She was insightful and honest and simply fun to talk with.  If you are not familiar with her I am sure you will enjoy  getting to know her and if you do you will learn more about this amazing Track Mom .

This is a  3 part Alisa Harvey “Mother’s Day Special . Today part in 1 I will introduce you to this Amazing Track Mom .Part 2,Insights on competing as a youth ,college and elite athlete as well as her perspectives on the sport of track and field over the past 20 years.Part 3 Mother’s Day…Up close and personal,family pictures  and the “Mommy” side of Track Mom  Alisa Harvey. 

 A nine-time All-American at the University of Tennessee from 1984-87, Harvey led the Volunteers to four top-10 national finishes. She won national titles in the 4×800-meter relay in 1984 and in the 1500 meters in 1986. Along the way Harvey ran the second leg of the collegiate record-setting 4×800 relay (8:20.22). She still holds five individual and three relay records at Tennessee, and holds the George Mason Fieldhouse record in the 1000 yards, set in 1987.

A 1988 graduate of the University of Tennessee with a bachelors degree in speech communications, Harvey competed as a sponsored athlete for several years. A three-time Olympic Trials qualifier in six events, she was a finalist in the 1500 meters in both 1988 and 1992. Additionally she faced international competition at such meets as the World Championships, Goodwill Games and Pan-American Games, where she was a gold medalist in the 1500 meters and a silver medalist in the 800 meters in 1991.

Fast forwarding to this year…

Here is the response people have about Alisha Harvey and her great athlete pursuit……

 Must see photo montage http://photoshow.comcast.net/viewshow/xq2fX2qj 

” Alisa, I told a couple of older sprinters about you and they couldn’t relate. I then said you ran 31 and change per 200 in your 800, and a light bulb went off. Wow!! Another way to evaluate your performance is to go to a treadmill and set it for 14.2 mph; see how that feels.I have followed your career since you were an All American at Tennessee in the 1980s — onward and upward to the Trials and beyond.”"Congratulations to Alisa for a magnificent performance at Reggie in the 800. I watched the race on TV and was happy to see that her impressive results was nicely reported and the camera stayed on her until she crossed the finish line unlike in some races where the camera wanders elsewhere after the winner crosses the finish line. Continue to train hard Alisa and go for the Olympic trials. What a great role model you are for masters athletes as well as for the youngsters!” 

Alisa Harvey on Boston 800: ‘Just gave it all I had’

                          Super TrackMom’s Rock

 It Mom’s day to shine today.I have a few pictures and video of mom’s and their special ”Track Star” kids. It takes alot to get out to every meet,prepare food,give encouragement,direction and take care of other siblings at the same time.Track Mom’s I salute you…. and keep up the Amazing Job you do to help your children develop and grow to be the best they can be. In case you didn’t catch yesterday’s post Freebies For Mom… Celebrating TrackMom’s For Mother’s Day  check it out and tell a friend there has got to be at least 1 free item you will enjoy on the list. Dont’s forget to sign up for  the FreeTrackMom Newsletter 

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Head’s up next month………   ”This Is Why I’m Hot”

Videos and Pictures Highlighting the best  of Youth Track and Field

Please submit photos and videos to trackmom1@gmail.com don’t be left out!!! Last day for submissionis June19th,2008 prize will be given fo rthe Hottest Video and Photo Athlete

Speaking of Hot , Check out the Hottest Most Visited Posts This Month 

**Youth Meets Western US Results Update 4.26.08**

**Elite Youth Rankings 2008**

So What Do We Tell Our Children (Again)?

The Pretator That Lurks Within…. A Sad Reminder

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  Special Mom’s Honored On Mother’s Day week

These are just a few of the standout stories that you will probably never hear about other wise but special and unique all the same…

Stephanie Holloway is a mother of 3  children (a set of twins are in there and a promising young sprinter named Audrianna.She helps manage her husbands team Murrieta Marvericks and supports and assist the parents on the team way to go Mom!! Here is a video and Picture of this Special Track Mom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EE5AxGrER0
 

Tasha and Kobe Freeman

Tasha’s husband is serving in Iraq right now. She is mom and dad keeping up life at home fun on the track and doing her part,as her husband keeps freedom alive for us here at home.  

Rhea Brown The First lady of the Illinois Elite Track Team  and her family .Read this moving story of triumph and love.

Inspiration Friday…Aaliyah Brown..Love,Passion and Desire

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                                    Super Moms of the Track

Until Next Time,

Happy Mother’s day

                          Mother’s Day TrackMom Style

The reason I am an over joyed Mom : ) Lauren Rain Willliams

To say Happy Mother’s Day Internet Style here are a few Freebies you can cash in on to add to you Mother’s Day gifts you will receive or give…Tell a friend and share the fun.

One of the greatest joys of my life has been being the mother to Lauren Rain. Before Henry and I married I never even thought I would be married,let alone have a child to care for and love more than I thought or imagined. She is truly my inspiration to do more and do it better, to leave a legacy that represents just how much she means to me.

Every mom has a story and a legacy to leave there children. Sports mom’s,I believe have an extra special calling, making our children’s lives fun, challenging and no matter what they do they are always are #1player, athlete, star in our eyes. They always have a fan in us.  The biggest fan they will ever have. So as you go out there this weekend and cheer ,scream and encourage remember how fast it goes…. Just as fast as the 100M in a Championship Final : )

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                    ****Freebies For Mom And ALL Her  Friends****

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                 Happy Mother’s Day Track Mom’s