No water allowed at cross country practice?

[val36]

DS started 6th grade this year. He decided to try cross country. Yesterday was the first day of practice. He loves sports, but Running is definitely not his strong point, so I give him credit.

The boys and the girls practice separately. I went early to pick up so I could watch for a while. The girls all had water bottles. The boys had no water.

DS told me their coach told them they are not allowed to bring their water outside. They start practice right after school at 2:45 and it ends at 4. It was about 82 degrees yesterday. Running practically the whole time.

He would struggle even if he had water, but he was really having a hard time- nearly in tears when I picked him up. (he also has mild asthma).

I gave him 3 waters to bring to school yesterday. It's his first week of middle school and he's a bit overwhelmed- he tells me he has no time to drink it during the day (I told him he HAS to drink one at lunch), and no time to drink any before practice.

How can they not allow water at cross country practice on days with temps in low 80's?

[Allegro]

I would have it out over the coach with this one - no question. It's a safety issue not a comfort one. My kids play hockey - in a COLD arena. There is NO CHANCE of anyone getting heat stroke still the biggest thing we push is hydration.

Your DS's coach is being unsafe and you should say something.

[val36]

Thanks. DS plays hockey, too

and baseball. And they're ALWAYS sure to have water. In fact the hockey game was stopped for a minute the other day because the goalie needed water.

I don't get it. Will ask the coach about it today-- or maybe send an e-mail this morning.

Thanks again

[amylb8]

Well, I think that's just silly. Definitely ask.

But, if he's not drinking during the day, his body probably isn't remotely prepared going into practice--drinking water at lunch should help.

And, here, xcountry is one of the MOST supportive sports around--I hope it's as good where you are!

Amy

DS started 6th grade this year. He decided to try cross country. Yesterday was the first day of practice. He loves sports, but Running is definitely not his strong point, so I give him credit.

The boys and the girls practice separately. I went early to pick up so I could watch for a while. The girls all had water bottles. The boys had no water.

DS told me their coach told them they are not allowed to bring their water outside. They start practice right after school at 2:45 and it ends at 4. It was about 82 degrees yesterday. Running practically the whole time.

He would struggle even if he had water, but he was really having a hard time- nearly in tears when I picked him up. (he also has mild asthma).

I gave him 3 waters to bring to school yesterday. It's his first week of middle school and he's a bit overwhelmed- he tells me he has no time to drink it during the day (I told him he HAS to drink one at lunch), and no time to drink any before practice.

How can they not allow water at cross country practice on days with temps in low 80's?

[KirstenP]

Strange. I would insist on water allowed outside for health and safety. I would also tell your DS that he must find time to drink water during the day. I'm sure he's overwhelmed right now with the beginning of the new school year, but he'll get the hang of it. My DS is on a XC team (middle school as well) and they are always pushing hyndration.

I don't think you are out of line speaking to the coach on this one.

Kirsten

[AmyB]

DS started 6th grade this year. He decided to try cross country. Yesterday was the first day of practice. He loves sports, but Running is definitely not his strong point, so I give him credit.

The boys and the girls practice separately. I went early to pick up so I could watch for a while. The girls all had water bottles. The boys had no water.

DS told me their coach told them they are not allowed to bring their water outside. They start practice right after school at 2:45 and it ends at 4. It was about 82 degrees yesterday. Running practically the whole time.

He would struggle even if he had water, but he was really having a hard time- nearly in tears when I picked him up. (he also has mild asthma).

I gave him 3 waters to bring to school yesterday. It's his first week of middle school and he's a bit overwhelmed- he tells me he has no time to drink it during the day (I told him he HAS to drink one at lunch), and no time to drink any before practice.

How can they not allow water at cross country practice on days with temps in low 80's?

They can't. Go to the principal. There have been too many tragedies because of idiot coaches like this. And I would pull him out if the policy doesn't change immediately.

[McGoo]

That's just stupid. Tell the coach that your son has to have water.

Last year, dd's 5th grade teacher wouldn't let them have any water bottles in the classroom (seriously, perimenopausal psycho - it was because the noise of the crackly ones bothered her). That really helped dd's chronic constipation and headaches from not drinking enough.

Now she is in 6th grade and she keeps telling me she doesn't have time to go to her locker before dismissal, so her backpack weighs 30lbs from books she doesn't necessarily need. She doesn't drink much during the day and comes home w/ a headache, then tries to load up on water while doing homework before soccer. I am happy to hear that she is going to the bathroom after lunch - hopefully that will alleviate some drama when AF returns in the next week or two.

I swear these people have no common sense.

[SueNJ]

This coach is completely out of line not allowing water, especially in x country running. This is a HUGE issue here, the prevention of dehydration and heat exhaustion is critical in all sports and thankfully our school district is aware of the risks and all coaches are properly trained.

Not to scare you, but just last week one of Hannah's friends, an exceptional runner, was in a 5k race. She crossed the finish line and her dad could see that something was wrong...her lips were white and she was very disoriented, started shaking and hyperventilating. The EMTs were called and they transported her to the ER and she was treated for severe dehydration. This is a kid who is extremely athletic, actually she won the race in the 13-19 age bracket, but she didn't properly hydrate (or eat) prior to the race that morning. She's ok now but she really learned her lesson with regards to hydration.

Our travel soccer coaches are also super vigilant when it comes to hydration. Not sure why this coach is not allowing water but I would speak to the athletic director and principal at the school asap. Not acceptable at all.

Good luck,
Sue

[Kat923]

Is there an epidemic of stupidity in our kids' schools?

Yeesh...I'm thinking of fatcat's post on PNO, too, about the coach that made 3rd graders run for half an hour without a break (OK, even if it was really 'only' 10 or 15 minutes, that's a lot for 3rd graders, I think). Anyway...

This is a total safety issue. I would be terrified if my kid--mildly asthmatic or not--was denied water for an hour and a half of strenuous physical activity in >80 degree temps. What is WRONG with this coach?!

I'd go right to the coach or, if he's as boneheaded as it seems, go right to the principal. As icing on the cake, I'd include a note from your son's doctor about the dangers of dehydration.

Moron!!!! What is with these people?! (sorry for the vent, but honestly...I'm really beginning to wonder about some of these stories I'm hearing!).

Good luck.

[LL2]

I would just be careful, because it is amazing how much the tone or even the content of something can change from one telling to another. There may be some mitigating detail that your DS forgot or didn't hear. Yes, it's entirely possible the guy is just a moron, but if there *is* something else, you'll feel less bad if you go in assuming the best. Then if he IS a moron, you have my blessing to go postal

[Kat923]

ah, the voice of reason. Smart advice.

My own DD has misinterpreted or exaggerated (not saying your DS is doing this) -- so given that, and LL's good advice, I might start by inquiring, "My DS is under the impression that runners are not allowed to consume water during practice. Is this accurate?"

If the coach confirms this, you can proceed one way...if he says, "Of course not--what crazy person would ever say this?!" then you can proceed another.
;-)

[val36]

I would just be careful, because it is amazing how much the tone or even the content of something can change from one telling to another. There may be some mitigating detail that your DS forgot or didn't hear. Yes, it's entirely possible the guy is just a moron, but if there *is* something else, you'll feel less bad if you go in assuming the best. Then if he IS a moron, you have my blessing to go postal

Well, I was there to watch the last 40 minutes of practice. It was outside, of course. The boys had NO water. - not one bottle - in a group of about 80 kids. DS told me that the coach said, "you don't need water".

The girls practice separately-- they all had water bottles with them.

I am going to e-mail the coach. And I agree-- tone is everything. There will be nothing confrontational about my e-mail.

Thanks!