Each athlete will require a pair of proper running shoes. Basketball shoes, “cross trainers” or other specialty shoes are not appropriate for the types of stresses that the athlete's feet will be under during training, and are not allowed. We can provide you with the names of establishments that will give Chiefs’ team members a substantial discount on proper running shoes. Starting in the second week of practice, athletes in divisions from Bantam through Intermediate will also need Track Spikes. Gremlin division athletes (5, 6, and 7 years of age) are not allowed to wear spikes. Track Spikes are specialty shoes designed specifically for track athletes, and will require some getting used to, so it’s a good idea to have them available by mid-way through the second week of practice. Spikes are not a required piece of equipment, but we recommend the use of spikes for best results, particularly in the sprinting events. Please contact your division’s head coach for more information. 

Especially early in the season, the weather will be cool during our evening workouts. All athletes must wear a sweatshirt and sweat pants over their T-shirts and shorts. The nature of our workout will have the athletes working through the layers of clothing. And, very importantly, LABEL YOUR CLOTHING and SHOES clearly. Many items of clothing and shoes are going to be identical, so mark your property clearly. 

Athletes should arrive at the track no later than ten minutes prior to the start of practice. The warm ups and stretches that we do at the beginning of practice are essential to a safe and productive workout. Waiting until late arrivals roll in is unfair to the group, and may cheat the late-arriving athlete out of a proper warm-up. Please pick up the athletes promptly at the end of practice. The coaches are not allowed to drive athletes home. PLEASE BE ON TIME.
All parents are encouraged to stay for practice and observe or help. 

While we’ll be having a lot of fun, we’re also going to get this group of young athletes in the best physical shape of their lives. This requires a great deal of conditioning and specific training. During the first few weeks, practices will seem pretty tough. There will be sore muscles and it may take some extra dedication and encouragement to keep them from getting discouraged by the hard work at first. But the sense of accomplishment, growth and self-confidence that comes from working beyond one’s limits and achieving goals that seemed unreachable just a few days before, are rewards well worth the quest. We want all of our participants to come away from our program not only as better athletes, but also as better young people, more confident in themselves and stronger in their ability to overcome challenges. If your athlete does incur any type of injury during the course of practice (such as sore or pulled muscles), please bring it to the attention of the coach immediately. 

Athletes should come to practice having had a small, light meal. Heavy meals, especially ones with fried foods, are not appropriate fuel for a productive workout. Indeed, they can make the athlete quite miserable during practice. Milk products are also to be avoided as much as possible before a work out. Pasta is a good example of a food that works well prior to a workout. After the practice, the athlete may want a light snack, and then should get to bed early. Proper rest is a principal requirement of the recovery period that physical training demands.

On Track Meet days, please do NOT bring potato chips, soda, candy or other similar snack foods to the meet. Fruit and fruit juices are much better solutions to the need to snack during the race day.