The true meaning of "The Fourth" is the anniversary and celebration of our nation's official Declaration of Independence from Great Britain.  For many people, this time also brings visions of fireworks, parties, barbecues, ball games, road races, and extended weekends.

 

Some important dates in History 1776

 

July 1-4 Congress debates and revises the Declaration of Independence.

 

July 2 Congress declares independence as the British fleet and army arrive at New York.

 

July 4 Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence in the morning of a bright, sunny, but cool Philadelphia day. John Dunlap prints the Declaration of Independence. These prints are now called "Dunlap Broadsides." Twenty-four copies are known to exist, two of which are in the Library of Congress. One of these was Washington's personal copy.

 

July 5 John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, dispatches the first of Dunlap's broadsides of the Declaration of Independence to the legislatures of New Jersey and Delaware.

 

 July 6 Pennsylvania Evening Post of July 6 prints the first newspaper rendition of the Declaration of Independence.

 

July 8 The first public reading of the Declaration is in Philadelphia.

 

July 9 Washington orders that the Declaration of Independence be read before the American army in New York

 

 July 19 Congress orders the Declaration of Independence engrossed (officially inscribed) and signed by members.

 

August 2 Delegates begin to sign engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence. A large British reinforcement arrives at New York after being repelled at Charleston, S.C.
 

 

Have a great time celebrating Independence Day.

 

Source of information

Cross Country Sign-ups

 

We are accepting signups for our 2008 Cross Country Program.

 

You can download the paperwork by clicking the following links: Sign Up Paperwork & XC Parent Handbook  Please follow the instruction inside the packet,  fill out, mail or drop off to my home completed paperwork.
 

Our first day of practice will be on August 4th at Heritage Park 6:00 PM, near the tennis courts/picnic tables.

 

Features:

Valley Youth Conference Competition with meets in Simi Valley, San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley. (See schedule on our website)

Athletes eligible for Valley Striders Post Season, with possibility of competing for the National Junior Olympics Cross Country Championships.

 

Team Awards Banquet at Santa Clarita Sports Complex.

Storm Recreational Running Club.
 

Please click the CLUB link on our website to view some resources on the club pages. Footnotes a quarterly publication about running is listed on those pages. We are looking to see if there is interest in a Storm Recreational Running Club. We are still exploring the idea, and nothing has actually started yet but we do have everything in place to start the program, if we find there is interest by the members of the team to join in 2009.

 

Note that some of the events listed on the calendar would be considered Storm Club events, for example the COC summer series are not a part of our youth program, but many parents run the summer series and it is listed on the calendar for the parents information. If you are interested in running the COC summer series, please check the COC website for more information on dates and times.

 

Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out our website at www.sctc-storm.org for links to the results, and start lists and TV listing and other information about the Olympic Team Trials.

Hot Weather Running
 

Running in the heat of summer can be dangerous if proper precautions and preparations are not followed. The Santa Clarita Track Club recommends the following hot weather running tips.

 

 

1. Avoid dehydration!!! You can lose between 6 and 12 oz. of fluid for every 20 minutes of running.  Therefore it is important to pre-hydrate (10-15 oz. of fluid 10 to 15 minutes prior to running) and drink fluids every 20-30 minutes along your running route. To determine if you are hydrating properly, weigh yourself before and after running. You should have drank one pint of fluid for every pound you're missing. Indications that you are running while dehydrated are a persistent elevated pulse after finishing your run and dark yellow urine. Keep in mind that thirst is not an adequate indicator of dehydration.
 

 

2. Avoid running outside if the temperature is above 98.6 degrees and the humidity is above 70-80%, rare in this area. While running, the body temperature is regulated by the process of sweat evaporating off the skin. If the humidity in the air is so high that it prevents the process of evaporation of sweat from the skin, you can quickly  overheat and literally cook your insides from an elevated body temperature.
 

 

3. When running, if you become dizzy, nauseated, have the chills, or cease to sweat - STOP RUNNING, find shade, and drink water or a fluid replacement drink such as Gatorade. If you do not feel better, get help. Heatstroke occurs when the body fails to regulate its own temperature, and the body temperature continues to rise.  symptoms of heatstroke include mental changes (such as confusion, delirium, or unconsciousness) and skin that is red, hot, and dry, even under the armpits. Heatstroke is a life threatening medical emergency, requiring emergency medical treatment. For more information and symptoms of heatstroke visit www.webmd.com/content/article/87/99468.htm.
 

 

4. Run in the shade whenever possible avoid direct sunlight and blacktop. When you are going to be exposed to the intense summer rays of the sun, apply at least 15 spf sunscreen and wear protective eyewear that filters out UVA and UVB rays. Consider wearing a visor that will shade your eyes and skin but will allow heat to transfer off the top of your head.

 

5. If you have heart or respiratory problems or you are on any medications, consult your doctor about running in the heat. In some cases it may be in your best interests to run indoors. If you have a history of heatstroke/illness, run with extreme caution.
 

 

6. Children should run in the morning or late afternoon hours, but should avoid the peak heat of the day to prevent heat related illnesses. It is especially important to keep children hydrated while running and playing outdoors in the heat.
 

 

7. DO wear light colored breathable clothing. DO NOT wear long sleeves or long pants or sweat suits. Purposefully running in sweat suits hot days to lose water weight is dangerous!
 

 

8. Plan your route so you can refill water bottles or find drinking fountains. City parks, local merchants, and restaurants are all good points to incorporate on your route during hot weather running. Be sure to tell someone where you are running how long you think you will gone, and carry identification.

 

Stay hydrated, cool, and safe this summer!