In the third week of school, we start running to the boathouse.  We do it for the rest of the year, except perhaps on days of erg tests, or in the week leading to State Championships.  The run has two simple purposes:

1. Get to the boathouse safely and efficiently. Some of our students can only reach practice via the run.  Therefore, it must be safe and efficient.
2. Train our cardio. Do not push yourself too hard; this is blue (UT2) work.

As part of this focus, the run will have a specific structure.

1. For safety purposes, students must run in groups.  The minimum size of any group is two.
2. Groups must stay together. Any individual runner can be no more than 30ft away from another runner in their group.  Once departing with a group, students will remain in that group.
3. The drivers will depart when the walkers do, and run in groups of at least two.  If there is only one driver, that student is to remain in their car until at least one other student arrives.
4. The pace of each group is set by the slowest person in that group; not that person’s maximum speed, but their efficient pace.  That can include a brisk walk.
5. We cannot force you to run to practice.  But members of the team run because it makes us faster.  If you walk instead of run, you are either incapable of running (signed note from family required) or you are making the choice not to work hard to improve.  In either case, you probably should not row on that day.  If a third reason keeps you from running, this must be fully discussed with the Head Coach so he can tell the Study Hall Coach to expect your special circumstances.
6. Should a member of a group be injured during the run and need to slow/stop, the group will remain together.
7. Each of the groups will be released from study hall at times that should result in everyone reaching the end of the run together.
8. Students arriving too late to study hall to run with their pace group will not be allowed to join a faster group. The school office has a place students can wait to be picked up.  They will be sent there, with the expectation that they will get a ride home, or to the boathouse (see the arrival policy).
9. Students unable to meet these standards will be sent to the office so they can be picked up to go home.
10. If being dropped off at the boathouse, students should try to run with the drivers. Groups being dropped off can run as their own group.
11. If the students at the parking lot are unable to run (e.g., a group cannot be made), these athletes will do cals in the tree circle.
12. Every student owes at least 15min of cardio before going on the water, unless told otherwise that day by a coach.

— Note 1:  The team does not have the resources to deviate from the established run structure.  Students who cannot (due to injury/other reason) or choose not to adhere to these standards will be required to get to practice by other means.

— Note 2:  The team does not have the resources at practice to monitor students unable to fully participate.  Under most circumstances, carrying students in the coaching launch reduces the capacity of that boat to act in emergencies.  We don’t have extra coaches to stay on land.  Students that cannot complete the run (as defined above) should not be at practice.

— With regards to “choosing not to adhere”, we approach that with an appropriate degree of caution, but also a necessary amount of skepticism.  We recognize that unforeseen circumstances may affect your ability to meet standards.  When that is the case, notify the study-hall monitor immediately.  Fail to do so often enough, and the “boy who cried wolf” paradigm will apply.  If your run participation is suspect, we will notify you.  One additional warning will be provided before corrective action is taken.