Zephyrs Summer Middle School Running Club

“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.”

Napolean Hill

Calling all Middle School Runners!

(For those entering 6th-8th grade)

Crystal Lake, IL

Join the Zephyrs Summer Middle School Running Club this summer and work on a wide variety of skills and knowledge including:

Speed work

Technique

Form

Teamwork

Pacing

Volume building

Learn about the correct way to increase mileage

Nutrition

Sleep

And everything else you need to advance your running knowledge

and fitness before the fall cross country season begins.

The mission statement of the Zephyrs program is to build a foundation mentally and physically for middle school-age runners. The program was designed as preseason training for middle school cross country specifically. We are passionate about the philosophy and very passionate that we teach these kids to train properly and advocate for themselves as high school and adult runners.

Dates: Monday, June 14 - Friday, August 13

The club meets 3 days a week - Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:30am – 9:00am. Locations will be different daily:

Mondays the club will meet at Lippold Park.

Wednesdays the club will meet at Lundahl Middle School.

Fridays the club will meet at Veteran Acres.

Athletes will receive a Zephyrs Middle School Running Club t-shirt. The athletes will also be given the opportunity to enter a 5k race with their teammates for an extra fee. This is not required.

Social distancing will be enforced and masks will be required anytime we are inside.

Please send all questions to Coach Brenda at tbnappy@comcast.net OR Coach Megan at megan.sloan@smithptrun.com

Meet Your Coaches!

Meet Coach Brenda!

Hi! My name is Brenda Napholz and I’m very excited to partner with Denise Smith and Megan Sloan to carry on the tradition of the Zephyrs Middle School Training Program. The Zephyr Program was founded in 2008 by Fast Finish Coaching and The Running Depot. My passion and expertise are in the areas of training progression and mental preparation for challenging running goals. We work hard and we have a lot of fun along the way. What is fun? It is combination of skill, challenge, and building relationships. I am looking forward to another amazing summer with the Zephyr Training Team!

Education:

· USTFCCA Level 2 Endurance Specialist

· B.S. Biology (Minor in Psychology) from Drake University (1989)

· USATF Level I (2008)

· Road Runner of America Coaching Certification (2010)

Coaching Experience:

· 6 years Woods Creek Elementary School Running Club Coach (Designed and Implemented Program)

· 4 years Off Ice Conditioning Coach Crystal Lake South High School Hockey Team (2007 - Present)

· 14 years Zephyr Middle School X-Country and Track Programs (2008 - Present)

· 2 years Assistant Girls Coach Johnsburg High School (2009 - 2011)

Running Accomplishments:

· 5 Time Boston Qualifier

· 2007 3rd Woman Overall CARA

· 2007 Road Runners Running Club MVP

· 2008 7th Woman Overall CARA

· 2007 and 2008 1st Age Group Female CARA

· 2006 Benton Harbor Half Ironman

· 2005/2006 completed 6 Olympic Distance Triathlons and Duathlons

Meet Coach Megan!

Hi! I'm Megan Sloan, avid runner since I was a child. I started running around the block at the age of 10. Fast forward a few years and I crossed my first marathon finish line 2 weeks before I graduated college in 2010. From there, there was no holding me back. I've since crossed a total of 14 marathon finish lines, qualifying for the Boston Marathon in 2018. The passion for endurance doesn't stop with running. Somewhere between here and there, I bought myself a bike, taught myself how to swim and have turned myself into a 7-time Ironman finisher as well. In 2017, I also qualified for the Half Ironman World Championships and was able to race on my 30th birthday. I have a passion for running that starts from a very young age and the fire has never faded. My goal is to help your child achieve the same, while keeping them safe and creating a STRONG athlete. I have coached athletes as young as your child but old and as wise as you! The runner's heart knows no age and I believe that all miles shared together create a bond unlike any other. Lace up, it's time to run!

Specialists:

Denise Smith - Smith Physical Therapy and Running Academy

Emily Kunash - Next Level Counseling and Wellness

Carrie Tomasello - Yoga by CarrieAnn

Rachael Costello - Fox Valley Nutrition Consulting