cross country team, hews to the latter philosophy. His teams have consistently raced into December, with the girls having won Nike Cross Nationals many years in a row. “I really don’t think you can run at a high level three seasons in a row, especially with the cross country season going as long as it does now,” he says.
The runners will supplement their mileage with cross training and strength work, although the elements themselves provide an added challenge. In parts of the country where the summers are unbearably hot, winter is the prime distance-training season.The Woodlands High School A two-week break in December doesn’t mean zero aerobic activity for Green’s athletes. “They’ll play Ultimate Frisbee for hours,” he says. During that time the team is divided into groups, based on mileage and pace, and they hit the roads and bike paths when they return after New Year’s. “No workouts, just pound out the mileage.”