Former Coach kicked me out the track so i “don’t distract the team and since i’m not part of the team anymore&

Just use the track when the team isn't using it.

I'm in a similar situation myself with my kids and the local high school team. When we need to use the track, we show up about five minutes after their practice is scheduled to be over. On distance days we stretch and do drills away from the track and then after our run they'll be gone and we'll do strides and drills. If they have a meet, we either wait for it to end or go run a workout on the roads which is no problem for us.

My biggest thing is trying to not be a distraction. My kids are alot better than the high school team and it just causes unnecessary drama when we cross paths.

Keep putting in the work. Don't be a distraction. And hopefully your race results will speak for themselves.

Not strange at all. Taxes are paid for the school system and supporting programs. Not people to go on the track when they want. Are they insured to use those facilities by themselves if on there own during that time period, because I can guarantee the school district is not paying for it? Who is the legal supervision for these students at that time? Suppose one of the students wants to bring in Uncle Creepy who is on Megan's Lists as his/her coach. Now suppose a group of students wants to go play 5 on 5 in the gym during basketball practice. This is just a few of the long list of scenarios why practices are limited to team members only.

I’ll have to 100% agree with you on that open invitation for others to do whatever they want. Didn’t think of it like that.

And honestly there’s isn’t much more to the story but i’ll fill you in on what happened that day.

I was racing the 1600m. Didn’t end up doing so hot. The pain on my left leg from the injury started to kick in on the 3rd lap. My form fell off and i just had to finish strong from there. I finished and had to sit down because it would sting putting pressure on my leg when i would stand. I went to go change and eat. That’s when our 3rd leg 4x4 guy started having calf problems after his open 100m. He wasn’t able to run the 4x4 so Coach came over to the field, where i and other runners were. He came up to me, gave me the baton and said “I’m putting you in the 4x4”. That’s when i said “Coach, i can’t run it. My leg is stinging”. His reply surprised the other runners and I, “Yeah! I don’t care. You’re running it”. This was also right when i finished eating, i had to head to the line a few seconds later. No warmup, Leg was stinging, and with a full stomach.

I also have to add, we had a perfectly good 400m runner that was only doing the open 400. Not sure why they didn’t put him in instead of me.

(Forgot to add but i had dropped all other races i had to run because i wouldn’t be able to do them)

If you were injured you were completely justified in modifying your workouts and racing accordingly. Coaches are motivated by rewards only, not your well being. And the track isn't necessary to develop as a runner. My high school coach made me run on an injured knee and it ruined my senior year. Wish I'd walked off at the time.

This was very helpful! I’ll definitely try modifying my schedule to use the track when the team isn’t there or to even be a distraction. Thanks for the reply!

Move on.

You made a decision, live with it.

Now you are part of the process. Track team time is their time, not yours.

Focus on what you wanted and chose. Move on.

Disrespected him?

Grow up sunshine.

Americans are so into their egos.

Hey he didn't like his coach, he left.

His decision. He told his coach, he didn't disappear or write him a letter.

Sounds more like the adult than the coach.

Or you.

I spent a little time as an AD and if things went down the way you say they did, these are the complaints that could easily get escalated depending on the process of how your school site/district handles them. If you were hurt and he made you compete/practice....he would have some serious explaining to do if a parent complaint were initiated or filed in my district. Especially if other athletes/people heard it and would be willing to do a written/verbal statement with an administrator. Of course it depends on what you want to do with this. As a coach, I would never hand a baton to a runner and tell them to go run any race without warming up. All races are should be notified ahead of time to ensure proper preparation. And with an injury? We always posted them the day before at practice or online and they were posted again in a designated area. This was mostly so kids would stop asking, "Hey Coach...what do I run today?". I could really give a damn if you just ate. That's simple whiny stuff. Stick to the facts. As an AD, I would be forced to open a simple investigation. Things are different now. ADs get so many complaints, but this one could have some teeth to it.. If he/she does nothing...take it to a principal if you so choose to do so.

1. That was unbelievably corny.

2. Leaving a program but still electing to train and compete unattached at the highschool level for the reasons stated is absolutely disrespectful to the coach and his program. Like I said, whether the disrespect is deserved or not is a different conversation, but it’s unreasonable to think you’d be able to use program resources and be on good terms with the coaches after a move like that.

”Americans are so into their egos” said while trying to take the egotistical high horse.

Beat me to it

Do you have plans to join the XC team and track teams at the same high school next year? If so, will you be able to train using the training system that the coach is using?

Are there any middle schools nearby where you could use their track?

the old "i don't care" tough guy coach mentality is passé and should not be allowed. if you are injured or hurt and a coach forces you to still compete, you can easily get revenge by telling the principle or maybe even a lawyer and getting them fired. the only problem with this is that the other team members might not want the coach fired or they may no longer even have a team anymore if they can't immediately find a replacement. runners can't run when they hurt/injured because it only leads to something even worse. imo, one guy shouldn't be able to make or break the team. if one person is the sole reason why the team wins or loses, then the team isn't even that good in the first place. like if you have a team with 4 runners that can do 2:10-2:15 and the next fastest guy can only do 2:35, then the team isn't really that good, but i suppose if you have a small team, there's not much you can do.

It’s the same as someone trying to use the track to train while a meet is going on. The track is typically reserved for an event which might include a practice. That being said, I have never told anyone they couldn’t use the track while we are practicing.

This is a little different in that there is an athlete that was a member of the team and now doing there own training at practice.

If I am the coach I would not be ok with this situation for team morale reasons. As the coach you are typically the only one thinking of the entire team.

Again, I have never had this problem before with kids not wanting to be on the team I coach. But, I suppose at some point that might happen.

I’m currently not planning on joining next XC season. And actually the middle school shares the track with the high school. We live in a small town with around a population of 5600 citizens. The next closest track to me is about 35 minutes away.

But from what i’ve been reading, it’s definitely a great idea for me to probably just measure out a trail or wait until the team finishes they’re practice.

You’re absolutely right about the track not being a necessity to get better. It’s truly upsetting what can happen to athletic performances with bad coaching. Thanks for the reply!

You're a fool.

Its high school sport.

He should be able to enjoy himself not march to your out-of-tune drumming. Or his coach's.

What's unreasonable? He is a student at the school and likely his parent's pay taxes. He has every right to be there, unless there is a rule excluding others from the track during official work outs. And he's disrespectful for quitting the team and not jumping off a bridge? Seriously?

I don't know where you grew up, but you seem pretty naive. And petty.

Yeah I can call out your egotistical bent. I raced all over the world, and even coached US high schools. Spent decades around the sport

The issue with a lot of American coaches is its more about them them the kids. You sound like one of those.

Your old coach is a small minded control freak. If you run to get school costs covered, then race on a team. If not, I don’t understand why anyone would race on a team where the events you run gets decided for you.

Key West, FL - Sunrise 7:17am Sunset 7:44pm

Bellingham, WA - Sunrise 6:43am, Sunset 7:43pm

Anchorage, AK - Sunrise 7:19am, Sunset 8:49pm

You would be running in the dark at 5:30am. Even if the team's practice ended at 6:30pm there's still plenty of light left.