October 2014

"Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" Coach Steve Hadley

I can't tell you how many times I've heard the statement at an age group track meet: "We're going to be watching that kid in the Olympics in a few years!". I usually think to myself, "Will the TV camera be flashing to a crowd-shot just before cutting to a VISA commercial?". If you attend any of the bigger age group track meets you will undoubtedly see some amazing kids producing astounding performances. The level of track competition right here in the DMV alone is some of the best in the country. Once In This Issue… you start talking about the national track meet you are literally watching the future stars of the sport. But before people begin shopping for agents after the conclusion of Here Today, Gone Tomorrow a dominating 7-8 girls turbo javelin competition a more sobering glance through the national age group track records is in order. An Exercise Deadlifts A quick review of thirty current national age group record holders, both boys and girls, found a grand total of three who competed in any Olympic Games and only two which have a medal. Before you leave in a huff to cancel your 2024 Tokyo Games ticket- A Myth order, I did recognize nearly every record-holder as receiving a track scholarship and a Stretching free university education is certainly nothing to laugh-at.

A Profile The lesson should be folks shouldn't start tallying un-won medals, plotting records or Carl Lewis hiring personal trainers, remembering instead that running is one of the few vigorous activities anyone can legitimately do for a life-time. If you're able to have fun and do

whatever is "your best" while running, all the better. A Future Star

Laura McEwen An Exercise: A Myth: Stretching

The single-leg deadlift is simple way to You hear it from virtually everyone that you strengthen and stretch the hamstring, as have to stretch before and after you run, but well as the lower-back. Strong hamstrings few ever bother to ask why. A few years ago, the USATF decided they'd ask why and the allow for longer and stronger strides while results surprised nearly everyone: stretching a sturdy lower-back means you are able not only does nothing to protect against to run straight and more efficient. This injury, it can actually inhibit performance by exercise can easily be done with canned making the muscles too relaxed. Warming-up goods if you do not have small dumbbells. is still critical, but warming-up in this case means short, rapid movements and not View the exercise: standing in one place doing the same old gym https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oiK teacher stretches everyone has been taught WA-K6-g for years. Learn more: http://www.usatf.org/news/view.aspx?DUID= USATF_2010_08_20_12_13_14 http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/01/p hys-ed-does-stretching-before-running- prevent- injuries/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

A Profile: Carl Lewis

Carl Lewis has won more Olympic medals and more Olympic gold medals than any other U.S. track athlete. He started as a phenom in age group track in New Jersey, setting several national records, including a long jump record which stood for over 20 years. Lewis earned a full scholarship to the University of Houston where he so dominated the other collegians only international track meets provided him with competition. In the 1984 Olympics he repeated Jesses Owens feat of four Olympic gold medals in one meet. He later went on to win multiple World Championships and hold world records in the 100 and the 4X100 relay.

A Future-Star: Laura McEwen

Introducing Laura McEwen, who has been attending and participating in age group track meets almost before she could walk. Both of her older sisters have been competing with D.C. Speed for several years which meant many long days at track meets and multiple 50-meter fun runs to get her acclimated to the sport. She’s a very shy athlete but she has developed into a young leader where she sets the example during practice and motivates everyone to try their best for track meets. She’s been a quiet leader and it has been amazing to watch her develop into the runner she has become.

Six year old Laura McEwen, began to show her first hints of stardom by making it to the 2014 USATF Indoor National Track Meet and competing in the Long Jump. She immediately followed that performance in the Outdoor Season by reaching the USATF regional finals in the 100 meter dash and made it to the USATF Junior Olympics held in Houston, Texas by running the anchor leg of the 4x100 girls relay team.

Heading into the 2014-2015 indoor and outdoor season, Laura has very competitive times in the 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash, as well as a very promising long jump. Her determination and drive will lead her to a likely sweep in her age group. She is smart and receives excellent grades. She knows she has keep her academics up before she’s able to participate in track and field. She sets an excellent example of a future leader in track and field.