Important Summer Reminders

Summer reminders for returning and new runners:

Freshmen Eligibility- Freshmen need to be certain a final transcript is forwarded from your high school to the NCAA Clearinghouse to confirm academic eligibility. In order to receive a "final" amateurism certification, you will need to revisit the clearinghouse website, access your file and request a final decision. This MUST be done soon.

Medical- Physicals(by a medical doctor) and health insurance(and copies of insurance cards) are REQUIRED for all athletes before the start of practice. Freshmen must also complete other consent to treat and medical history forms. These forms may be downloaded on the Drury Athletics web page or at a link on this web page.

Gear- I will provide all runners with a new pair of trainers at the start of practice. I need to know what shoes(grand,model,size) you run in(no experimental or beta models; only tried and true). Shoe orders will be placed as soon as everyone responds. Backpacks, bags and Adidas training/racing apparel will be available after practice starts.

T-shirts- We will have Drury running t-shirts available for all runners on the team after practice starts and lots of extras for family/friends/boosters to purchase as part of our fundraising efforts for the team.

Fundraising- Besides selling t-shirts, we will be gathering items(new items with a retail value > $50) in the fall for the Drury Auction to Benefit Athletics in October.

Racing Schedule- As soon as our fall racing schedule is finalized it will be posted on this webpage and added to the Drury Athletics web page.

Practices- Our first practice will be Wednesday, August 15, at 7 am. Plan to run 13 miles within the first few days of practice. I will also be on campus Monday(8/13) and Tuesday(8/14) morning at 8:00 am at the Fitness Center in case anyone wants to run or visit with me after arriving on campus. Starting August 15, I will provide breakfast food, lunches at the Commons are optional and evening meals are on your own(except for the bowling outing on Thursday).

Housing- Runners will be able to move into campus housing as early as Sunday August 12. Freshmen and returning athletes moving into dorms need to schedule their move in with Coach Van Arkel.

Soft Surfaces- Do as much of your summer running as possible off of the roads and on grass or dirt or wood chips. Legs & muscles need a break from asphalt and concrete.

Stretching/Injuries- Start your runs at an easy pace to warmup and do an easy jog at the end of your workout to cool down. Be sure to stretch calves and shins and hamstrings and quads sometime after the run when muscles are most likely to be elastic and respond. if you have pain that persists over several days and are unable to run please contact me.

Hydration- It will be hot this summer. Drink lots of water before a run, find some water during a run and drink more water at the end of a run. Also, drink something with carbs in it after the run to replace your depleted glycogen. You'll recover more quickly from your workout and feel fresher later.

Coach Van Arkel
417-873-7567