Another year passes and yet I am back here to Thanksgiving! Let's just forget about my carelessness and lethargic emotion toward my writing (once again). BUT, an abundance of blessings always flood me more around this time of the year. Although these are life gifts I am thankful for each and every day, more so am I overwhelmed with how lucky I am to simply be living and breathing and healthy. In particular, an area of my life I endlessly recount as a blessing comes to mind more this year - coaching.
Although I coach junior high girls, working with them the past few years has impacted AND changed my life in ways I would have never imagined. I now understand the meaning behind these coaches out there into their mid-to-late 50s and 60s still backing running to its core and the countless athletes that come through their programs. Never have I been blessed with the reward of these kids than any other part of my life. I was given the opportunity to do what I love and only continue to build passion upon. How often does this work out for people?
Granted, these girls drive me up the wall crazy every single day, I repeat myself at least five times with anything I say, you're responsible for not only creating a successful team but responsible for the safety and knowledge of the girls; you have to deal with not-always-pleasant parents or the ones who think they know everything imaginable about the sport, there are multiple planning and strategic angles to conquer, and let's not forget about the raging teenage hormones and drama. Other than all those minor details, I absolutely love what I do. For that, I give thanks today to my girls and their families. There isn't quite the same gratification with coaching as with anything else.
You want these kids to succeed. You want them to have fun. You want them to learn. And more than anything, you want to instill onto them the same great characteristics you hold for the sport and team in the same ways you once learned. Seeing their own reward when they do achieve the unthinkable is something you just can't explain. They all have their own battles and stories, and they work to succeed individually but more importantly, for the team. We are a team and beyond that nothing can surpass the unforgettable and incomparable bond that cements us together. I experienced the same emotion and heart years ago, and I want my girls to be immersed in the same. These girls challenge my patience and mind at times, but I wouldn't trade them for anything. I want to protect them while pushing them past their limits...all secretly hoping they independently gain the same passion for running as I possess.
Toward the end of the season I had the girls write down what they like most about running and cross country. This was something new I tried, and I was completely indebted to these girls after reading their responses. There's more to the 12-, 13-, and 14-year-old young women than what people provide them. Sure they make me want to shake them when they NEVER cease to stop talking or ask what we're doing after I literally just stated it (thinking about it just makes me shudder), but it goes deeper than the surface with them. They push and they pull and come out on top every time. They love life and have such natural talent and heart. I am continuously more and more driven with thankfulness because of them. They understand. They get it. They are the reason I love what I do. I wanted to share the following with everyone so you can be exposed to just a small part of what makes these kids truly awesome. Enjoy. I am filled to the brim with happiness on this day especially.
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What I love most about cross country and running…
Is the good feeling that you can run far and not walk.
Is the joy and excitement and struggle you get from it.
Is feeling free and being part of an amazing team. I also like that it is just as much a mental sport as it is physical.
The happiness of finishing a race and the satisfaction of running my very best. Also, making lifelong friends and getting closer to my coach.
It’s fun and it’s a way to make friends. It’s also helped me become more confident, and I feel better about myself as a person because this was my first time [on a team], and I got through the season.
Is the challenge and trying so hard to beat your PR and then finally beating it.
Is that feeling when you finish running a race or practice even after feeling like crap while running it.
That you’re never fully satisfied. Time, practice, stride, attitude…it can always be better.
Making friends and messing with Coach Brown.
Everything!
That you will always be with someone and you will always have a team.
Hugging Coach Brown.
Making new friends, and I feel so good after I run. (And giving Coach Brown hugs)
Is how it doesn’t matter if you can run fast or not, everyone will respect you and cheer you on.
I love beating my PR and achieving my goals.
That I get to be a part of a team.
The feeling after finishing a race and something to be proud of myself for.
Is pushing myself and seeing myself improve. I also love being able to call my team, my family.
I’ve learned to push myself through the hard times and that I love running.
I love setting goals and trying to achieve them. I love running with all of my friends. I also love finishing the race knowing I did the best I could.
The thing that I love most about XC is that we have the best coaches and I made a lot of new friends.
I love being out and running.
Is that I love being with my friends and having fun with this team.
Is that I’ve learned to have self-confidence and how to push myself. I also made a lot of great friends.
I love how everyone is so positive and optimistic!
I love being part of this team, it’s like my second family. The part I love most about running is the rush you get after a race.
I love the feeling when you are done with a race, you feel accomplished.
Is that I loved all the times we laughed and when we had to push hard.
I love the feeling of finishing the race knowing I accomplished something. It makes me think about all the hard work I’ve put into practices. Most importantly, I love the girls on the team. Win as a team, lose as a team.
The thing I love most about XC is how we do everything as a team and the excitement of finishing a race. XC girls are like our second family.
Is that I love the feeling when you beat your time and when you know you gave it your all.
I loved my coach and my teammates. They are so supportive and always have a smile on their face!
Making new friends and to push myself harder and to learn to have fun exercising.
I like making friends!
What I love was the meets and how much fun they were. It was a great year, a year I will never forget.
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