Mapping the Mean Green Cross Country Course

My "work day" started early this morning out on the Mean Green Cross Country course.

Logging some miles using my Garmin to map out a loop

I was introduced to our course this past Friday and I have now begun laying out what I think will be the best course for the 2013 Conference USA Cross Country Championships on November 2nd. The course also needs to work for our Ken Garland Invitational on September 28th.
The course is on the practice golf course that North Texas' outstanding golf program has out grown much to our good fortune. Facilities will maintain whatever loops we determine as the layout of the course. (You gotta' love a facility that is purely maintained for Cross Country!)

 

Looking out from the start line

One of the key challenges is using the back section of the course most effectively. I also want to include the longest/biggest hill/incline we have access to that the old 5k course did not use.

 

The back loop with Mesquite Trees along the perimeter

 



WillowWood Street bordering the far side of the back loop

I'll be out in the sun this afternoon wheeling the course to more effectively test the loops I came up with. Right now the course is a puzzle I'm in the process of mastering as I map out a 2mile, 5k, 6k, 4mile, and 8k to all have the same start, main 1st loop, and finish line.
Wish me luck!

Mean Green Cross Country!

To the outsider it might look like I completely forgot about this blog for the last 2 months, but I can assure you I did not. It has been one of my busiest and most exciting summers as I had the opportunity to pursue and interview for something I have been working toward since I graduated from Syracuse, becoming a full-time collegiate coach. As this press release can tell you http://www.meangreensports.com/sports/c-xc/spec-rel/081313aaa.html

it was a successful summer and I am ready for an exciting fall coaching Mean Green cross country!



I had to have a button!

North Texas is a strong academic institution and I am thrilled to be a part of an Athletics Department with such a high standard for academic excellence as well as athletic competition. Entering Conference-USA is a moment that Mean Green Athletics has been anticipating and I cannot express how thrilled I am to be a part of it. The Cross Country team will also have the honor of hosting the first C-USA Championship of the 2013-2014 academic year at our home cross country course on November 2nd. I have a lot to do before then, but I plan to keep this blog updated with great training locations in Denton that the team is frequenting, updates on the team's season, my thoughts in general about the DFW area and running, and maybe even a bit on my own running when it comes time for a Turkey Trot.

Go Mean Green!