This season will forever hold a special place in my heart.
My first year as head coach for the Chardon Girls Cross Country Team was filled with lessons, laughter, growth, and—most of all—heart. From the very beginning, we talked about focusing on the little things—because it’s the little things that make the biggest difference, both in performance and in life.
The Hilltopper 10-Minute Talks
Every week this summer, we started practice with what became affectionately known as our Hilltopper 10-Minute Talks — short, intentional conversations about the little things that make a big difference.
We talked about mindset — how the words we use and the thoughts we carry can shape the runner we become.
We talked about sleep — the simplest and most powerful recovery tool available.
We talked about fuel — how strong running starts long before the starting line, in the choices we make every day.
We talked about shoes — how smart footwear choices and rotation can prevent injury before it ever starts.
And we talked about recovery — that true growth doesn’t happen during the workout, but in the moments we give our bodies space to rest and rebuild.
These talks became our anchor. They reminded us that success isn’t built in one workout or one race — it’s built in the quiet, consistent habits that add up over time.
Individual Plans, Shared Purpose
No two athletes are the same—and our training reflected that.
We made small but meaningful adjustments to each runner’s plan: monitoring training loads, customizing workouts, and giving space for recovery when needed.
We added plyometrics and strength training, not just to get faster, but to get stronger—physically and mentally. Every athlete had their own journey, their own growth curve, their own moments of breakthrough.
But what tied it all together was our collective commitment to doing the work the right way.
The Power of Visualization
As the season went on, we started practicing something a powerful tool—visualization.
Before big races, we took quiet moments to breathe, reflect, and see ourselves running strong, relaxed, and confident.
It was about more than performance—it was about belief.
We learned that the mind has incredible influence over the body. When we could see it, we could feel it. And when we felt it—we could run it.
We also incorporated our visualization into our Friday Mindset and Movement Class. A short 30-min session to pause, breathe, and focus on turning off the noise of the week and turning on our racing focus.
Rewriting Boardman
And then came the race that changed everything.
For years, our team had struggled at the Regional meet in Boardman. Some called it a curse. I could feel the weight of that history when we stepped onto the course—both the pressure and the possibility.
In the days leading up, we faced those fears head-on. I asked each athlete to write down every negative thought or memory they had about Boardman—every doubt, every frustration, every past disappointment. Then, together, we crumpled those papers up and threw them away.
In their place, we wrote new words—confidence, strength, unity, joy.
Because this time, we weren’t just showing up to run the course. We were showing up to rewrite it.
On race day, they did exactly that.
Each athlete ran with heart and composure. They ran for each other.
And as the results came in, it became clear—we had done it.
For the first time in 10 years, the Chardon Girls Cross Country Team qualified for the State Championships.
There were tears, hugs, disbelief, and pure joy.
It wasn’t about breaking a curse. It was about rewriting a story that had been waiting for this ending.
Gratitude
As I reflect on this season, I’m filled with gratitude—for the athletes who trusted the process, for my coaching partners who believed in our vision, for the parents who supported late nights and long drives, and for a community that continues to rally behind these incredible young women.
Coaching this team has reminded me that success isn’t measured only by medals or times—it’s measured by growth, resilience, and connection.
To my Hilltoppers: thank you for letting me be part of your story.
This season, you showed what it means to rise together.
And I’ll never forget it. 💚
About the Coach
Jen Nieset, PT, DPT is the owner of Fit 4 Life Physical Therapy in Concord, Ohio, and serves as the Head Coach of the Chardon High School Girls Cross Country Team.
As a physical therapist who has spent decades helping runners stay healthy and strong, Jen brings a unique perspective to coaching — blending her clinical expertise in injury prevention, load management, and performance optimization with her passion for mentorship.
Her athletes benefit from a coaching approach that emphasizes smart strength, recovery, and longevity — because the goal isn’t just to run fast, it’s to build strong bodies and resilient minds that can run for life.
