Run Tests
Happy New Year!
It’s been a minute since I have had a rant. I have come into the new year with a fresh mind, a new energy, and still out of shape. Which is funny because on twitter this week, the rants started back up. It lasted about a week where people were all nice on X, but now that we are into week 2 all bets are off and the new years resolutions are over.
There was a good battle between a couple of folks online about if run tests are a waste of time or not. @CoachKing28 “If you’re still using run tests: stop. You’re wasting your time and your players time.” Now there was obviously plenty of pushback on this including @TJKemp_ talking about how the various run tests aren’t about how fast you are necessarily, more about accountability, buy in, and just measuring overall cardio in general that you can’t fake.
Now anyone who has talked to me about my “good ol days” at Detroit Mercy, you have heard about the run tests, conditioning, and strength training that we endured. I know a couple of avid listeners and readers were right there with me trying to get through it. The January run tests that were waiting for me when I got back to campus beat me every single time. I spent plenty of time in “fat camp” because I didn’t pass said test. Is that a “waste of time”? That’s a pretty strong statement….if extra time in the weight room + conditioning is a waste of time, I hope we are coaching on opposite sidelines. I would agree with TJ, these tests are about accountability, even if you are never going to pass them. These tests are about building team comradery, grinding through the test and doing your best with your teammates by your side. Pushing yourself to the limit, maybe past it and you throw up all over yourself….been there. And if you end up in “fat camp” with some of your teammates, grinding it out in the pre season for some extra training and getting ready for that first game and working your way into the lineup.
So for all the players getting back to campus this month and have a run test, enjoy the process. Run till you puke. Grind it out in the weight room. It’ll pay off on the field next month. In a few years you will be sitting in a office happy to not have to do these tests, but happy you did them.
Good Luck!
P-Mac
