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Summit High School has a rigorous summer training program to prepare for excellence in the fall XC meets.
Put plainly, the official high school XC season is just too short to be winners absent consistent summer training. If you want to be a good XC runner, you simply must prepare in the summer. Making the varsity XC team without summer running is unlikely.
SHS summer training is under the auspices of the Summit Distance Project (SDP), which is the joint summer (and winter) training program for Summit High School and Middle School runners. It is led by Michael Hagen, the SHS head XC coach, Eva Hagen, the head SMS XC coach and Cody Jones, the assistant SMS XC coach.
Participation in SDP training is free! In fact, because of donors we have been able to offer incentives like our coveted Aerobic Monster T-shirts for those who meet participation benchmarks. Sign up to receive SDP updates at www.sportsyou.com, a free service. Enter the SDP team code: A45ESANG. Also join the SHS XC team with code 73K5ZGS2.
The only requirements for joining SDP are:
A good attitude and work ethic.
Signing the waiver available below.
2025 Summer Training
2025 Summer Training
We encourage all runners to take a complete break from running for one week at the end of their seasons. Biking, hiking, swimming, etc. are encouraged this week, but no running. The second week run 3 to 4 times on your own for 30 to 45 minutes. Additional biking, hiking etc. are encouraged. The third week run 4 to 5 times.
Log your workouts on Training Peaks. Accounts are free at www.trainingpeaks.com. Link your accounts to my coaching account by clicking this link: https://home.trainingpeaks.com/attachtocoach?sharedKey=ONLRBCXV47HV6. Or, just email me and I'll set up a connected account for you.
(Miles logged into Training Peaks count to your Aerobic Monster T-shirt and other incentives.)
After this "on your own" training period we will start group SDP practices. Group SDP summer training starts on Monday, 16 June.
My experience as a cross-country coach is that athletes who regularly meet their teammates in the summer race faster in October and November.
The first reason for this is that the running gets done. The second reason is that the intensity that’s appropriate for that day gets done. Finally, my experience is that runners collectively expend less mental energy when they’re running in a group.
Plus, the post-workout snack, soaking in a creek or making plans to meet at the swimming pool later in the day are all ways to strengthen relationships that are the foundation of a winning team culture.
SDP Summer Training schedule 2025
SDP Summer Training schedule 2025
16 June - Group SDP practices start (locations will be communicated via SportsYou.)
M/W/F and most Saturdays
8:00
Various locations throughout Summit County.
7-11 July - SDP Summer Performance Running Camp in Crested Butte
Excellent training while exploring new trails in the Crested Butte area.
Sessions on training, racing, nutrition, strength, etc. from a number of outstanding experienced coaches.
Sleep in a nice, large home just outside Crested Butte.
Meals at the home and at the trailheads.
Click here for Summer Camp info!
Sign up here!
21 July - 9 August - Group training sessions 6 days a week
Monday - Saturday
Strength training (and running) on Tuesday and Thursday.
11 August - Official SHS training begins.
16 August - XC Team Scrimmage and varsity team selection.
23 August - First XC meet - Mountain Vista 2-Mile
Making the Jump
Making the Jump
Read this article on how you can use the summer to "jump" to another level next season.
Below are recommended summer mileage targets:
SDP Sports You signup.pdfSDP Summer Program Waiver.pdfDonate to Summit Distance Project here. 100% of donations will go directly to support for the kids (the coaches are volunteering) - racing singlets, post-training refreshments, travel costs, etc. You can decide and specify.
While the link will go to a page that says InForm Sports, be assured your donations will go 100% to the cause you desire. Inform Sports is my business account with PayPal for the paid coaching I do for adults. I'm currently too busy/lazy to set up a separate PayPal account for Summit Distance Project.
Summit Distance Project training is free again this summer. The only costs are sweat, shoes and an increased food budget. The summer training program is free because we don't want cost to prevent anyone from being able to participate and develop their abilities as runners. Free doesn't mean easy or low-quality. The Summit Distance Project summer training program is professional and challenging. It is the same training a professional team would do, just adjusted for age and experience. SDP training is meant for athletes intent on improving and achieving their potential. We adapt training for fitness levels and heartily welcome beginners. Come to practice desiring to work hard and be challenged. SDP practices are very rewarding and fun for those with these goals and mindset.
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When: 8:00 am Monday - Saturday
Where: Locations will vary, and will be announced via the team SportsYou app a day or two in advance. Generally:
Monday: Little Red Schoolhouse park in Breckenridge
Tuesday: SHS track
Wednesday: Frisco Peninsula
Thursday: SHS track
Friday: Frisco Peninsula
Saturday: Long runs in various locations
How: Warm ups will be together, then we will set off in ability-matched training groups.
What: We start the summer with easier aerobic runs, gradually adding distance and intensity in preparation for fall XC. Practices will start with warm ups and drills, and conclude with strides and light strength work. All practices will include some form of speed work. We will “move our feet fast” every day.
Duration: Figure on 70 to 90 minutes most days, but longer on some Friday Field Days which may be longer excursions including a mix of running and hiking.
Other details:
Why: Fun and challenging summer running with the goal to be ready for the fall XC season.
Is participating in the SDP summer training required to run fall XC at SMS or SHS? No, not at all, but XC runners are highly encouraged to attend - regularly.
Who: Open to everyone beginning 6th to 12th grade. Certainly those planning to run XC at SMS and SHS, but also those wanting to get fit for soccer, etc. or just enjoying runs with friends. Please invite anyone who may be interested.
Minimum fitness: Preferably capable of running at least 2 miles continuously. Advanced runners will cover 5 or more miles.
Intensity: Low, to start. Initial summer sessions are intended to be low key preparation for the XC season, without a lot of structured interval style workouts. They will be mostly trail runs at easy paces, some drills and strength, and a bit of shorter strides, sprints and bounds.
Coaches: Michael Hagen, Eva Hagen, Cody Jones.
Cost: Free. We don’t want finances to discourage anyone from participating.
Team T-shirts and singlets will be free or low cost.
Parents are welcome to hike, bike or run (with us or on your own) after dropping off kids.
Communications: We will use both email and the SportsYou app to announce practice times and locations. Other information, including lots of photos and last minute schedule updates, will be posted on SportsYou, so using the free SportsYou app is highly encouraged. Our team code is A45ESANG. Runners and parents should sign up. Instructions are here.
Waiver: Please complete this waiver and return it before the first practice, or bring it to practice.
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