Follow the steps below to join our cross country team. We're incredibly excited for the 2026 Season!
Sign up for the team via our registration form
Be sure to complete all of your required paperwork (especially your physical) by the first day of practice
Deliver a hard copy to the coaching staff on either:
The first day of practice (Monday, August 3rd at 7:30am), or
Our informational meeting on Wednesday, June 10th at 6:00pm.(at the track)
Pro-Tip #1: Scan a copy of your physical! Sometimes, school administration (at any school) loses things and it helps to be prepared.
Distance runners need a new pair of shoes every season - Cross Country, Indoor, Outdoor, AND Summer!
Go to a local specialty running shop, ask for a gait analysis, and get properly fitted for high-quality running shoes to prevent injuries.
We recommend P.R. Run & Walk in Westchester Commons. Tell them you're with Tucker! Student-athletes get 15 percent off and and our team will get a $5 donation for every pair of shoes purchased.
Consistency over the summer is how we win in November.
Our Summer Training Plans are tiered:
Baby Tigers - 1st Season of Running
Cubs - 1st Year of Running
Tigers - 2nd and 3rd Year of Running
Kings & Queens - 3rd Year and 4th Year of Running
You can use our Summer Training Log template to record your training, record in a notebook, or join Strava (and be sure to join our Strava Group. Why record your training? Because it'll keep you focused on the body of work you're building this summer, and is a great way of reflecting on what's working, what needs improvement. In short, it'll help you build good habits!
Lastly, and only for the most detail-oriented, read our thoughts on what good summer training looks like.
VHSL Dead Period (6/21 - 7/5): Athletes / Coaches may not have contact
Beginning July 6th, we'll meet 3x a week on at various locations through the Richmond area. These workouts are athlete-led, though typically coach-attended.
Prior to July 6th, athletes will schedule informal summer runs.
Times / Locations will be shared via Band (Click to Join - Returning Athletes - this will be a new instance of Band for the 2026-2027 School Year)
Pro-Tip #2 One great way of improving your performance is attending a running camp - like Blue Ridge Running Camp.
Our first official practice will be on Monday, August 3rd at J.R. Tucker High School. We'll meet on the track at 7:30am.
📍 2910 North Parham Road, Henrico VA 23294
Pre-season practice will be held Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at various locations throughout the area until school starts on August 24th.
Time / Locations will be shared via Band.
Please bring the following equipment to each practice:
Running Shoes
Water Bottle (with your name on it)
Running Watch (Doesn't have to be a GPS - a $10 digital watch from Walmart works fine!)
Post-run snack (preferably with carbs + protein)
Towel
Pro-Tip #3: If you put in miles all summer, it'll probably be time to purchase new shoes right around Labor Day.
We can always be reached via email or Band (Can you tell that we use Band a lot yet? We really think you should download Band!)
Coach Nici | nicithomas@gmail.com
Coach Jay | wyssjf@gmail.com
Our meet schedule will be posted here. And follow our team Google Calendar!