The middle-school students have been preparing themselves for this display of endurance by running/jogging 1/2 mile and 3/4 mile stretches.  We are talking about pacing ourselves, and not getting caught off guard by the addition of distance.

I am trying to stress that the time that they run in a mile run is a personal time.  I explain to them that in class when people get an "A" on a test they are more than willing to show it off to the rest of the class but those of us who didn't fair quite as well are a little more reserved with our score.

Often P.E. teachers or coaches send the students off with a traditional, "GO!" command.  Where the entire class takes off at the same time.   I have decided to try a different method where students are in groups of 3-4 friends that work from the same starting point situated on the course.  One of the students will start the stopwatch and the group will begin their journey.  Once they pass the cone for the 4th time they will get their time from the stopwatch and report it to me.

Some of us were born to be sprinters with quick bursts of speed and shorter legs, and some are more geared with the endurance and stamina essential to distance running.  My hope is that your children gain an appreciation for running and feel a certain amount of confidence brought on by doing something they previously thought was impossible or daunting.