We are in our 3rd year of cross country at the middle school level. Our program has grown from about 20 kids to 41 this year. We have 5:40 milers all the way to 13:00.

We start off running a 1 mile course around the high school. By week 3, we hit the roads to run around a local park. We do fartleks once a week on the football field. The kids start with a 1 minute jog, 20 sec stride, 10 sec sprint.

After 3 sets, we take a 1 minute walk/water break. We start with 2 sets and work up to 4 or 5. The kids run at their own pace. We also do Indian drills and accelerations. For 100 meters, or the length of the football field, the kids begin running slowly, increase their speed until they end at a full sprint. We do this after our run to teach the legs to perform at the end of a race when they are tired.

We also do form running on the track. The kids look forward to the fartleks with moans and groans. They are our most talked about work-out. It was interesting, in track last season, the XC kids requested that we do the fartleks.

We are into week 4 of this season and did a 2 and 3 mile over distance (easy) run. Afterwards, I asked the kids how it was and they all yelled "Easy!" The tears are gone and the pride is evident with the smiles and chatter. On the off day runs, I encourage them to chat with a friend to keep the speed down.

As a coach, I get the pleasure of seeing the kids move into the high school progam, usually becoming very successful.

If the impetus started by Runner's World continues, 2000-2001 may very well be known as the 'Year of School Running Programs'.