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Lightning Youth Academy

Lightning Youth Running Club

Cross Country Onboarding

Welcome to the Lightning Family!

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Today’s Purpose

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  • Getting to know Cross-Country
  • Training expectations
  • Seeing what the season looks like
  • Training shoes and spikes
  • Expectations for each age division
  • Uniforms
  • Registration
  • Asking questions
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What is Cross Country?

Cross Country is an endurance running sport where athletes race outdoors over natural terrain instead of a track.

  • Every course is different
  • Weather changes every race
  • Hills are common
  • Runners run on grass, dirt trails, mud, wooded trails, parks and open fields.

Typical race distances:

  • Ages 6 and under: 1K
  • Ages 8 and under: 2K
  • Ages 9–10: 3K
  • Ages 11–12: 3K
  • Ages 13-14: 4K
  • Age group assignment consists on your child age they will be in that year.

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Practice: Rain or Shine

Cross Country is an outdoor sport from July to December 12, 2026.

Practices and races will be held:

✅ Hot weather

✅ Cold weather

✅ Wind

✅ Rain

✅When it gets dark earlier.

Practices may only be canceled due to:

  • Unsafe conditions
  • Inform by Coach Cholula via WhatsApp

Athletes should always come prepared.

Championships races are held in different states each year. Must be ready mentally and physically.

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Cross-Country Meets

  • Attendance is important. Every runner matter
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  • All athletes are expected to attend:
    • Invitational Meets
    • Championship Meets (if qualified)
    • Cross Country Calendar: https://lightningyouthacademy.org/races
  • If unable to attend:
    • Notify coaches as early as possible.
  • Last-minute absences affect team scoring and race planning.
  • Every runner matters.
  • Road to Nationals
    • Must run at the usatf meet
    • USATF Association (Mt. SAC)
      • Everyone runs
    • USATF Regionals (San Diego)
      • Qualifications to be part of the national team
        • Top 5 qualify in each age division, must be in the top 8 throughout the season
    • USATF Nationals (Lafayette, Louisiana)
      • Must be able to travel, consistent in top 8

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Running Shoes/Spikes

Running shoes must have cushing on the heel and be able to breaks on the toes.

Recommended:

  • Neutral and comfortable fit
  • Proper cushioning
  • If need it, please take a running shoe test.
  • Replace every 300–500 miles or season
  • Must have an adult thumb to the front of the shoe

Spikes must have rubber at the bottom of the shoe and be able to remove the spike.

Recommended:

  • Spikes can be use for all year
  • Must be comfortable and loose
  • Option for nike vaporfly
  • Buy at cross country meets

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What the Season Looks Like

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9-10 Age Division Expectations

  • General:
    • Help with recruiting to have a competitive team
    • Get to know the names of all your teammates
    • Be ready to transition to train as an elite
    • Train as if you want to be in top 10 in the nation
    • Best behavior with teammates, coaches and parents

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  • Practice Expectations:
    • Participate in coming to 4-5 days of practice
      • Especially Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
    • Be ready to transition from 2K to 3K
    • If want to run 12s and 13s
      • Be ready to run up to five miles
    • Bring your own matt, water bottles,
    • Bring extra clothes
    • Expect to train from July to mid-december

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11-12 Age Division Expectations

  • General:
    • Train to competitive
    • Get to know the names of all your teammates
    • Be ready to transition to train as an elite on and off practice.
    • Train as if you want to be the best in the nation
    • Come to practice with a positive mood and mindset
    • Please do a ferritin test

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  • Practice Expectations:
    • Attend practice 5-6 days per week
      • Especially Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
    • Be ready to run 11s, 12s and 13s
    • Be ready to run 6-8 miles
    • Be responsible with your own running clothes, matt, water, snacks
    • Expect to train from July to mid-december
    • Bring your own 1 or 5 pounds of weights
    • Bring your own rubber band

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13 & Older: Expectations

  • General:
    • Get to know the names of all your teammates
    • Train as elite runners (professional runner)
    • Be ready to transition to train as an elite on and off practice.
    • Act as a role model for all runners
    • Qualify to Nationals
    • Come to practice with a positive mood and mindset
    • Please do a ferritin test
  • Practice Expectations:
    • Attend practice 5-6 days per week
      • Especially Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
    • Be ready to practice two times per day
    • Be ready to run 15 & 16 (boys), 17s & 18s (girls) in the 4K
    • Be ready to run 6-9 miles
    • Be responsible with your own running clothes, matt, water, snack
    • Expect to train from July to mid-december
    • Bring your own 1 or 5 pounds of weights
    • Bring your own rubber band

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Registration & Fees

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  • Fees
    • Season Fees for each runner: $200.00 or $50.00 for four months (July, August, September & October)

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    • Lightning Store:
      • Uniforms:
        • Loose Fit: $70.00
        • Tight Fit: $80.00
        • Sweats & Pants: $80.00
      • Training t-Shirts: $.20.00

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Upcoming Events

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Uniforms

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  • If want to compete, must have the uniform
  • Make your final order by August 10, 2026
  • Prices
    • $70.00 for both, tight and loose
  • IMPORTANT: all orders must be done online.
  • We will have sample sizes
  • New Lightning Store: https://ironrootthreads.com/pages/lightning-youth-academy

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Helpful Links:

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What's Next?

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At our Onboarding Meeting we'll cover:

• Uniforms

• Practice schedule

• Team communication

• USATF & AAU memberships

• Race day expectations

• Equipment

• Volunteer opportunities

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Questions

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Questions?

Open Discussion

Thank you for being part of the Lightning Family!

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Contact Office Hours

  • Coach Cholula:
    • Registration/Training/Scholarships
    • Week (Before 9:00 am & after 7:00 pm), Weekends (any time)_WhatsApp is best
    • 714-943-8975
    • cholula@lyacademy.org
  • Coach Ricky:
    • Uniform & training shirts
    • 30 Minutes before and after practice on Wednesdays
    • 714-724-4475
    • orea@lyacademy.org
  • Coach Mario
    • Zeffy & Balance
    • Grants & Sponsorships
    • ramirez@lyacademy.org