PALMER RIDGE CROSS COUNTRY
Field Notes parent issue for fall 2026
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Save This Issue • Register • Summer Training • Travel • Fundraising
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Current Parent Issue
Start here for Palmer Ridge XC fall 2026.
This is the source-of-truth parent note for what we know right now. Use it for registration, summer training, key dates, travel direction, fundraising, and health reminders.
Save this issue now, then come back when you need a date, code, link, or reminder. I will send shorter updates later once transportation, rosters, costs, and race-day logistics are locked in.
If a family only reads one PRHS XC note this early, it should be this one.
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Do first
Register and join SportsYou
Clear the athlete, save the code, and make sure the family can see team updates before August gets busy.
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Keep handy
Summer links and fall dates
This issue is meant to replace a scattered chain of texts and emails for the early season.
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Know now
Some travel details are still coming
Use this for the current framework. I will send separate follow-ups for buses, rosters, costs, and race-day logistics.
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Start Here
What to do first
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Register for fall XC through Mrs. Feil. Athletes must be cleared before official practice. |
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Have a summer training plan. Bears TC is the main option. If that does not work, reach out and I can get you a training packet. If cost is the issue, please talk to me. |
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Join SportsYou and watch for updates. Code: NH6P-PGVC. |
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Do the health stuff early. Ferritin and fueling matter, especially once training gets heavier. |
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Watch for signups. Aid stations help with in-season trips. Peaches help with camp and NXR. |
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At A Glance
The few details families need pinned right now.
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Practice
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Aug. 10 • 3:30 PM
PR track, done around 5:45-6:00 PM
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Register
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Through Mrs. Feil
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Summer
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Bears TC starts June 1
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Fundraising
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Aid stations fund team trips. Peaches fund camp + NXR.
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Eligibility reminder: athletes need five official fall practices before racing. Summer training does not count toward those five practices.
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Parent Step 1: Register
Fall XC registration goes through Mrs. Feil. Please do this early. Athletes cannot practice until registration, physicals, fees, and eligibility paperwork are handled.
First official practice: Monday, Aug. 10. We meet at 3:30 PM on the PR track and will be done around 5:45-6:00 PM.
Clearance deadline: PRHS has not posted the 2026 fall clearance deadline yet. Plan to have everything submitted before Aug. 10 so there is time to get approved.
The buttons below are the easiest place to start for PRHS athletics registration, fees, the athletic handbook, and CHSAA documents.
PRHS Athletics
Athletic Documents
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These are the dates I would start blocking off. I will send entries, bus times, addresses, meals, and race-day details as each meet gets closer.
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Season Roadmap
Confirmed dates, travel decisions, and championship windows at a glance.
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August
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CM Twilight & Alumni Run
Early season opener
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Cheyenne Mountain Stampede
Pre-state course
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September
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Liberty Bell
Fast early-season benchmark
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Joe I. Vigil Open
Adams State • Cattails Golf Course
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Roy Griak Invite
Selected travel meet • 10 boys / 10 girls
Limited to 10 boys and 10 girls. The roster will mostly be athletes who have consistently been in the top 10 on each side through the first three meets. Coaches will use their best discretion for the final travel roster.
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TBD
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Possible Additional Meet
Potential meet after Roy Griak
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October
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1600m Time Trial With Cheyenne Mountain
For athletes not going to Grand Junction
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Central Grand Junction Warrior Lincoln Park Invite
Overnight trip • Open to all athletes
Overnight team trip open to all athletes. Lodging, meals, and itinerary will come later.
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TBD
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Possible Additional Meet
Potential meet after Grand Junction
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Colorado Springs JV Champs
JV championship opportunity
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Colorado 4A Region 5
9 athletes max
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CHSAA State Championships
7 athletes max
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November
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Nike Cross Regionals Southwest
Tentative date
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We are not trying to race every weekend.
I want us to train for races, not just survive a race every Saturday. The goal is to show up prepared, compete hard, and build a real joy for racing instead of making every weekend feel like a test.
That also means every athlete may not race every meet on the schedule. Some meets are full-team opportunities, some have selected or limited rosters, and some athletes may train through a weekend if that is the better call for their development, health, or readiness.
Our main focus is aerobic development, with lactate threshold work as an integral piece no matter where we are in the season. As the season builds, we will layer in the other pieces: hills, strides, speed, strength, recovery, and race-specific work at the right times.
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Our summer work runs through Bears TC
Summer practices begin Monday, June 1. Middle school / high school usually practices 8:15-10:00 AM. SportsYou is where I will post weather changes, location moves, cancellations, and quick reminders.
Summer weights: Monday and Thursday at 11:00 AM in the PR weight room.
SportsYou code: NH6P-PGVC. High school athletes should also use the Bears TC app for training and paces.
If Bears TC does not work, please reach out. I can provide a summer training packet. If cost is the issue, please talk to me before deciding not to participate. I do not want cost to be the reason someone misses summer training.
View Bears TC Summer Training
Open Summer Calendar
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Summer links
These are the links I would keep handy for packing, on-your-own days, and app access.
Packing List
OYO Guide
iOS App
Android / Web App
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Altitude camp
Altitude camp will run through Bears TC. Dates, location, cost, transportation, packing list, and supervision details are still coming.
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Here is the simple fundraising setup.
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Peaches Fundraiser
Camp + NXR
Palisade peach sales will go toward altitude camp and NXR. I will send the order form, pricing, payment, and pickup details once that window opens.
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Aid Stations
In-Season Team Trips
Garden of the Gods needs 15 athletes. BTMR needs 10 athletes. That money goes toward team trips during the fall season.
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Quick version
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Aid stations: in-season team trips. |
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Peaches: altitude camp and NXR. |
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When signups and order forms go out, quick responses help us plan. |
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These aid stations are a big way we support team trips and help the local running community.
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Last year's Garden of the Gods crew at Balanced Rock.
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Garden of the Gods Race
Palmer Ridge is assigned to the Balanced Rock Aid Station. We need 15 athlete volunteers. Orientation is Friday, June 5, 2026 at 5:30 PM at 441 Manitou Ave. Race day is Sunday, June 14.
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Barr Trail Mountain Race
Palmer Ridge is assigned to Bob's Road Aid Station. We need 10 athlete volunteers. BTMR orientation is July 9, 2026. Race day is Sunday, July 19.
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A few parent notes
Volunteers need signed waivers. We will need aid-station themes. Parking is limited, especially for BTMR, so families should expect carpool or drop-off instructions.
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Race info and forms
I pulled the main links here so the race documents, waiver, course pages, BTMR details, and parking map are easy to find.
Aid Station Challenge PDF
Volunteer Waiver PDF
Garden Course Info
BTMR Details Sheet
BTMR Course Info
BTMR Finish / Parking Map
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Make sure registration and the physical are done through the school process. |
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Remember athletes need five official practices before they can race. |
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Join team communication when the fall link/code is posted. Summer Bears TC updates use SportsYou code NH6P-PGVC. |
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Let me know major conflicts early for vacations, camps, work, other sports, and family travel. |
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Check basic gear: training shoes, water bottle, sunscreen, layers, rain jacket, and race-day bag. |
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Start the fueling routine now: eat before practice, bring water, and recover after training. |
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Tell me about health concerns such as injury history, ferritin/iron concerns, allergies, medication needs, or stress load. |
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Head Coach
Luke Rodriguez
Assistant Coaches
Daniel Russell and Marcela Lopez-Haley.
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1. Meet logistics: entries, transportation, addresses, race times, and food plans.
2. Fall parent meeting date and fall team communication link/code.
3. Altitude camp: dates, cost, packing list, and payment process.
4. Fundraising: peaches order window, aid-station signups, waivers, themes, and parent support.
5. Travel: Joe Vigil and Roy Griak logistics, Grand Junction itinerary, and NXR information.
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Trips We Are Building Toward
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Grand Junction: overnight trip.
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Grand Junction: team stop.
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Altitude camp: summer team building.
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Past Kansas trip: travel-team experience.
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Race-Day Energy
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Start-line focus for the big invitationals.
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Competing hard through the middle of the race.
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Team energy and confidence on race day.
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Colorado racing, travel meets, and championship-season toughness.
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Please do not wait until August to think about iron and fueling. These two things can make a big difference once training gets heavier.
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Ferritin / Iron
If an athlete is unusually tired, flat in workouts, slow to recover, short of breath, getting sick often, or dealing with repeated injuries, I would consider asking a medical provider about serum ferritin. Please go through a provider before using supplements.
Open Ferritin & Iron Guide
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Practice-Day Fueling
Athletes need to bring water, eat something before morning practice, and have recovery food after training. Simple is fine: chocolate milk, smoothie, yogurt and granola, sandwich, PB&J, or whatever the athlete will actually eat.
Open Summer Fueling Guide
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Returning athletes: set the standard and bring new runners in. New athletes: you do not need to know everything yet. Get registered, start training consistently, and communicate early if something is unclear.
Go Bears,
Coach Luke
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PALMER RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL · CROSS COUNTRY · MONUMENT, CO
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