Cross Country 2024

Welcome to PHS Cross Country! Please read the following carefully.

PHS XC athletes and families, here are a few team related items:

1) Starting Monday 8/26 we'll practice weekdays 3:30-5:15ish for the rest of the season.

Section A (non-distance team: practices start Wed 9/4 at 3:30pm.

2) Here are some important dates for non-practice and non-meet team events to put on your calendar:

• Sun 10/13 Full Team Volunteer Day at the Great Island Road Race (mandatory for all XC and Section A athletes, this is our biggest fundraiser, this is a morning event, multiple time slots/jobs will be posted)

• Sun 10/27 Seacoast Half Marathon volunteering 7:45am-9:00am (not mandatory but highly encouraged, a big fundraiser for the team)

3) We use the Remind messaging system for XC and for Section A:

Boys Team text the code @2024phsbxc to the number 81010 and follow the prompts or join 2024 Boys XC on the Remind app to join.

Girls Team text the code @2024phsgxc to the number 81010 and follow the prompts or join 2024 Girls XC on the Remind app to join.

(Athletes need to have this to see updates and info, and family members are welcome to join as well)

4) Please see the updated attached meet schedule. If there are any changes we will post/email those as soon as they occur.

5) Marathon Sports (formerly Runner's Alley) is offering a discount for our athletes: 20% off most items until Sept 1. They are located at 104 Congress Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801 .

Looking forward to the season!

Coaches Stan and Mike Lyford

Below are the items that need to be completed before the Spring season starts, you might have all or some completed already:

1) Sign up for Spring Track, please have a parent/guardian create an account (or use an existing account) on the PHS Final Forms site: https://portsmouth-nh.finalforms.com/

If you have any questions about Final forms, please contact Mrs. Conway (athletic secretary) at kconway@sau52.org

2) We need a current physical form on file; please do ONE of the following:

A) bring in a copy of a recent (within last 2 years) physical from your doctor

B) have a copy emailed to Mrs. Conway (athletic secretary) at kconway@sau52.org

C) Upload the physical form on Final Forms

3) Please sign up for the Cross Country Remind messaging system. (Required for athletes, parents are welcome to join as well)

Girls text the code @2024phsgxc to the phone number 81010 and follow the prompts.

Boys text the code @2024phsbxcto the phone number 81010 and follow the prompts.

4) A signed Student Form on the PHS Final Forms site: https://portsmouth-nh.finalforms.com/

5) A signed Parent/Guardian Form on the PHS Final Forms site: https://portsmouth-nh.finalforms.com/

If you have questions or concerns please email us:

Girl's Head Coach:    Stan Lyford, stanlyford47@gmail.com

Boy's Head Coach:    Mike Lyford, mlyford@sau52.org

Here's some terminology and info that might help when selecting shoes:

"Trainers" are just regular running shoes everyone uses for practice, a good pair of those is helpful for preventing injuries. We suggest getting a new pair of trainers for every season of track the athlete participates in.

You can compete at meets in trainers, but athletes might also want "spikes" which are lighter racing shoes that have metal bits you can screw into the soles.  "Flats" are racing shoes without spikes; at most Indoor Track meets only flats are allowed. 

Spikes can last multiple seasons because you really only use them for races and the occasional practice. 

Athletes who do Cross Country can use spikes at all Cross Country meets.

Athletes who do Indoor Track can use spikes at some Indoor meets.

Athletes who do Indoor Track can use flats at all Indoor meets.

Athletes who do Outdoor Track can use spikes at all Outdoor meets.