Category: Youth Sports

• Two Sports, One Season:   the good, the bad and the ugly.  

  

  Cross country + soccer is the most common in-season double for Pennsylvania high schoolers. It’s tempting: more playing time, more fitness, more fun. But does the endurance engine of cross country really pair with the speed-and-sprint metabolism of soccer—and at what cost?  Because this is a very sensitive topic, I included many sources in this…

  Joe Carei

  August 29, 2025

  Family, High School, Injury, Performance, running, Running Potential, social media mental health, Sport Psychology, Stress, Stress Management for Children, teenagers, Training, Youth Exercise, Youth Running, Youth Sports

  exercise, Fitness, football high school, Grant fisher, health, high school athletes, high school sports, injury risk, nfhs, Recovery, soccer, teen athletes, Training, volleyball, wellness

• Rest, Recharge, and Refocus: Handing off Track Season to Cross Country Summer Training

  

  By Coach Joe Carei (a guy who still carb-loads for 5Ks like they’re marathons) Now that States(for most track athletes) is over and the final baton has been passed,  the last spike has been unlaced, and the echoes of the starter’s pistol fade into memory, high school track athletes find themselves in a strange land…

  Joe Carei

  May 26, 2025

  5K, High School, Hot weather running, Injury, Marathon, Performance, Performance, Recovery, running, Running Economy, Running Potential, Sport Psychology, summer running, Youth Exercise, Youth Running, Youth Sports

  Coach, cross country, cross training, Fitness, goals, health, Marathon, motivation, planning, Recovery, run coach, running, summer running, track and field, Training

• 5 Ways High School(and all) Runners Can Get Injured While Training in the Summer (And How to Avoid Them)

  

  Summer is the perfect time for high school runners to build their base for the fall cross country season. With school out and the days long, it is an excellent opportunity to log some serious miles. However, with this training come certain risks. Injuries can derail even the most promising seasons if runners aren’t careful.…

  Joe Carei

  June 6, 2024

  5K, Christmas Gifts for Runners, coaching, Fitness, High School, Hot weather running, Injury, Marathon, Marathon Plan, Performance, running, Running Economy, Running Potential, Sport Psychology, Stretching, summer running, teenagers, Youth Exercise, Youth Running, Youth Sports

  children, Coach, cross country, exercise, Fitness, goals, health, it band, pain free running, parenting, planning, plantar fasciitis, running, running hydration, running injury, running nutrition, running recovery, running shoes, strength training for runners, summer running, Training

• Scratch Cooking: A Simple way to Holistic Health for Families and Children

  

  Let me say before you read this article, that I understand that preparing meals takes time from your busy day.  Especially if you have children involved in activities and take up time with transportation, spectating and coaching.  This is not an attempt to nutrition shame  or lecture the reader.  It is to help open your…

  Joe Carei

  April 5, 2024

  Breakfast, Cancer Prevention, Food, Food History, Marathon Plan, Mental Health, Nutrition, Recipes, running, teenagers, Youth Sports

  cooking, family cooking, Food, food prep, health, healthy eating, healthy eating habits, healthy lifestyle, lifestyle, long-term health benefits, Meal planning, nutrient dense, Nutrition, Scratch Cooking

• Youth Running: How much is too much?

  

  Running is often hailed as a beneficial activity for people of all ages, promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, and social interaction. However, when it comes to children, questions arise regarding the appropriateness of training, the ideal mileage, and the potential psychological impacts of competitive running. I hope to introduce the benefit of health, mileage recommendations,…

  Joe Carei

  March 5, 2024

  child health, coaching, Family, Fitness, Marathon Plan, Performance, Positive Mindsset, Running Potential, Stress Management for Children, Uncategorized, Youth Exercise, Youth Running, Youth Sports

  60 minutes exercise, children running, mileage for children, parental pressure in running, promoting youth running, running positive for kids