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A trend I've noticed the past few years that's really starting to bother me is the increased number of people privately coaching HS distance runners, usually former high level runners or established HS / college coaches. I personally think it's taking advantage of these kids.
They have these successful people in the sport convincing them that to reach their goals, they have to follow a more aggressive path. Their HS coach can't get them there, and their teammates can't push them enough. They sacrifice their team experience, which is the best part.
The reality is that there are a ton of great HS coaches out there, and you'll always go further as a team than by yourself. If you really have all the potential that you think you do, then it'll be evident in your performances. You don't need to jump into college level training.
Sure, you might see short-term gains, but at what cost long-term? If you're nearly maxing your body out on miles and intensity at ages 16-18, there's a lot less room for growth ages 18-23, and that can lead to a distorted perception of ability and a negative college experience.
It's not really a secret that if you throw college level training at HS kids, the ones that don't get injured will run fast times. It doesn't impress me when I see HSers blasting 15+ mile runs at sub-6 pace, it actually concerns me a little bit. Their bodies are still developing.
Are there HS kids that can and should be doing college level training? Absolutely. There are some studs who need that to challenge them. But aside from those guys, who you can count on one hand per state, you're better off focusing on improving more basic areas of your training.
Not all of these private coaches throw that type of training at the kids they coach, and there are definitely some exceptions where kids genuinely do need outside coaching rather than just sticking with their HS. I don't mean to generalize and say that going this route is wrong.
But I've been seeing way too many private coaches poaching relatively successful kids away from quality HS coaches, putting them through college level training, and then boasting about marginal improvements. It seems intentionally misleading and driven by profit over passion.
My rambling point? Be a kid. Have fun with your friends. Enjoy the sport. Fall in love with it. Listen to your coaches. Work towards team goals. Give your best effort every day. If you do those things, you'll have a great HS career and continue building on it at the next level.
