It seems like yesterday that this journalist returned from the NIKE Indoor Nationals. I truly enjoyed the experience and loved interviewing the athletes, coaches, parents, and fans! I must say the performances were outstanding. I also need to caution that these performances must be curated. So, here are my five deep thoughts on high school track & field:
- Rest, recovery, and Hydration are key! NIKE NIL coach, Juli Benson, herself an Olympian, told us earlier this season how important rest, recovery, and Hydration are for the developing athlete. Check out her clip: https://www.runblogrun.com/2026/01/the-journey-to-compete-nike-nil-coach-juli-benson-clip-2-discussing-the-best-way-to-recover-for-a-high-school-athlete-rest-and-hydration.html
- Recovery between seasons is very important. Taking a break from the racing post indoor season should be advised for most athletes. The myriad indoor championships are enticing but also dangerous. An athlete can peak for only so long, and the possibility of injury is always present.
- Long-term development should be the plan. Many coaches, parents, and athletes get this. However, concerns about scholarships, NIL contracts, and pro contracts can hurt athletes in the long run if not properly managed. Please be careful with the pressure put on young athletes.
- Big times in high school, properly managed, can help build a long-term career. Talent must be managed. Small mileage, care on the intensity, bespoke workouts, all matter. NIKE NIL coach Juli Benson told us, in her interview, that there is so much more pressure on these young athletes and that racing, training, and rest all need to be planned out.
- Let kids be kids. Teenagers need to have some fun. The pressure of high-intensity track & field programs builds, leading to burnout and a lack of interest in the sport. In most cases, a 24-year-old will be a better athlete than a 16-year-old, so give the young athlete time to mature and build physically, mentally, and spiritually.
- Coaches need to be open to learning new approaches. The late Clyde Hart, coach of Michael Johnson, Sanya Richards-Ross, Jeremy Warner, and the Baylor U team for decades, told me emphatically that coaches needed to be open to learning something every day.
