When I was in undergrad, I had the best relationships with my coaches. I absolutely adored them...each of them because of their own special characteristics. Jim always had every one's best interest at heart. I could go to him with pretty much anything and he had the ability to make me feel like it was the most important thing even if it was super small in nature. I had this relationship with Andy as if she was more than just my coach...but also my friend. She probably knew more about me then she cared to know, but she was also there to listen, something that a lot of coaches don't know how to do. Nance was always a stickler for the rules and super blunt by nature. But I appreciate that so much more now, because she made me aware of the dos and don'ts of how to run a program. The one thing that I loved about my coaches the most was that they saw something in me and believed in me when I had no clue that I could even be remotely competitive in division I. For that I will never be able to thank them enough.
Jim used to always tell stories...these stories would come at the most random of times...in the middle of team meetings, while trying to explain a jumping concept to me, or when we would go out for coffee before practice. I remember sitting and listening intently, even if I had heard a particular story 3 times before. He has this intimate relationship with all of his athletes and I always hoped that I would make the same type of impact on him that his former athletes had on him. I secretly wished that one day he would have a story about me. Well apparently he does now. I called him after my competition last weekend and he was thoroughly impressed that I had competed so well for so little training. At this week's Rice women's team meeting, he told them my story. I heard about it from my best friend who still runs and it made me smile so brightly both inside and out.
As a first year coach, I feel like I'm starting to develop relationships with my athletes similar to those that I had with my coaches. It's a little different being on the other side of the table. Sometimes they tell me too much information that frankly I just don't want to know. But other times I am extremely happy that they are comfortable enough to come to me with even the smallest of details of their lives. I want to get to know them not just on the track but off as well, because it is my job to help develop them as a person just as my coaches did with me. No matter how much money I will make in this profession, no monetary value can ever be placed on the relationships I have and will establish throughout my career. I was so upset with my girls today, but after hearing about what happened at Rice, I know that everyday is not going to be great, but it makes me remember that it's the little things that make all the difference.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
so close...
2 competitions in one month...and this is one that I'm actually semi-proud of. Despite the fact that the jumps all looked like total crap, the distance made me feel like I actually might have something in my tank if I took the time to practice. But this year is all about fun so I'm on the "rest is best policy".
***This is what 5.98m (19'8") with an off run, no penultimate, and absolutely NO air looks like.
On a lighter note...our team finished 4th in conference (NEWMAC). We achieved out goal on the season of making it back to the top half of the conference. It was an up and down meet, but the 4x4 ran a 10s PR so it was a great way to end the meet. It was also 85 degrees and for the first time all season I got to wear shorts. I love how people in New England think 85 degrees = summer time. Ummm NO! But I finally got to get my tan game on!
***me and the asst coaching crew. Notice Shan and I have the same outfit on. This is like the 3rd or 4th time that has happened this season. She truly is my "work wife."
***Mini C (me) and Carla (the head coach). Mini C is what the girls have christened me as because I'm like Carla's little protege.
The school year is coming to a close. 4 days of class left and 3 more track meets (providing that no one miraculously qualifies for nationals...not that that would be a bad thing). I'm working on another movie project (that makes 3 since I've been here at Smith)...not too shabby for someone who considers herself to be technology illiterate...and I have a 12 week conditioning plan to write up for my Sport Med class. This is like the easiest last week of classes ever...but the downside is that for the first time in 3 years, I have a freakin' FINAL!!!!! That's not a good look for me...
I'm really just ready to pack my bags, hit the road, and go play wifey for a while. I have a little less than a month, so I guess the it's safe to begin my countdown...
***This is what 5.98m (19'8") with an off run, no penultimate, and absolutely NO air looks like.
On a lighter note...our team finished 4th in conference (NEWMAC). We achieved out goal on the season of making it back to the top half of the conference. It was an up and down meet, but the 4x4 ran a 10s PR so it was a great way to end the meet. It was also 85 degrees and for the first time all season I got to wear shorts. I love how people in New England think 85 degrees = summer time. Ummm NO! But I finally got to get my tan game on!
***me and the asst coaching crew. Notice Shan and I have the same outfit on. This is like the 3rd or 4th time that has happened this season. She truly is my "work wife."
***Mini C (me) and Carla (the head coach). Mini C is what the girls have christened me as because I'm like Carla's little protege.
The school year is coming to a close. 4 days of class left and 3 more track meets (providing that no one miraculously qualifies for nationals...not that that would be a bad thing). I'm working on another movie project (that makes 3 since I've been here at Smith)...not too shabby for someone who considers herself to be technology illiterate...and I have a 12 week conditioning plan to write up for my Sport Med class. This is like the easiest last week of classes ever...but the downside is that for the first time in 3 years, I have a freakin' FINAL!!!!! That's not a good look for me...
I'm really just ready to pack my bags, hit the road, and go play wifey for a while. I have a little less than a month, so I guess the it's safe to begin my countdown...
Sunday, April 19, 2009
200H world record holder...
Ok so know I actually am not the WORLD record holder...but since the race is no longer in existence, I'm just gonna stick with the idea that I'm the 2009 SEASON leader (lol). My coach had an honorary race at a meet we competed in a couple weeks ago, and she insisted I run since she did not know how many people would compete in it. Since I finished my outdoor season last year, I said I would NEVER run competitively again...Jump, yes...but run, [hell] NO! However, I conceded, but my compromise was that I could long jump as well. It all sounded like a good idea at the time...and then we get to the meet and it's 40 degrees (but feels like 35) and rainy...just awesome I tell you. I jumped decent providing the conditions...and I pretty much jogged the race because I have the phobia of running in the rain since I fell on my head in college. I won both events (and hold facility and meet records in both events...lmao), but I'll never be satisfied with my jumping until I see 20 feet (legally) or 6.09m. No fun pictures accompany this post because everything was sloppy wet and I was NOT about to mess up my brand new camera...so sorry! But you can be happy that you know the world leader in the 200 meter hurdles lol.
23 life lessons...in honor of my birthday
Yes! The celebration of my birthday gives me a reason to make not one but TWO posts! So here are 23 life lessons that I have come by in my wonderful 23 years of life.
1. Communication is the key to life...AND the key to love. I'm working to hone my skills, but for those that know me, know that I've come a long way since I was the 12 year old mouse kid who walked around with a huge smile as if life was made of sunshine and peaches when in all actuality it is not.
2. Learn to love to read! I had to learn the hard way because I was punished for 3 months in high school and that was pretty much the only thing I could do...but since then I have no problem indulging myself in a book. I like to think it has helped enhance my vocabulary.
3. Believe in yourself. If you don't, how can you expect anyone else to?
4. In order to have good friends, you must be a GREAT friend.
5. Never turn your back on your parents. As much as my mom and I don't get along, she was the one person who moved me into college my freshman year, and drove 29hrs to move me in to my apartment for grad school. If that ain't love I don't know what it is.
6. If you want to live your life free from addiction, DO NOT GET A BLACKBERRY.
7. On the technology note...Mac books are the best. Once you go Mac, you never go back.
8. There is no such thing as a 100% man/woman...if you can get 85 or better, baby you are doing great!
9. Don't be afraid to put it in the wind...sometimes you just have to get up and go and leave all your worries behind.
10. If you are going to come in after curfew, you might as well do it big. 2 minutes or 2 hours honestly doesn't matter. You will still be grounded til the day you graduate.
11. Hurricanes can change you life in an instant. When the weather man says go...it might be wise to listen. I'd rather it be my house than my life.
12. If the princess ain't happy, ain't nobody happy (on the mug that I received for my birthday). If that doesn't speak volumes about me I don't know what does. I really have a way of my making everyone else's life miserable if mine is not going perfectly.
13. Blond hair dye is not whats up if you are a black girl (even if you are bright). It may seem awesome and "different" at the time, but when you look at pictures of yourself years later, the first thing that will come to mind is "wtf?"
14. If you go to the club and the bouncer knows your name...that is not a good look for you. That means you need to slow your roll, because obviously you are doing too much with your life.
15. If you have roommates for 3 consecutive years...stay with them. Moving in with someone you barely know is not whats up.
16. Better yet, just live alone...that way everyone is happy.
17. Don't follow your dreams...Chase them!
18. It's ok to try everything at least once...never think of things as regrets...see them as "learning" experiences.
19. Never judge a book by its cover. There is so much more to people than what meets the eye.
20. Facebook ruins lives and relationships...still hasn't stopped my addiction to it though.
21. Play the hand that you are given. Nothing is ever going to be perfect, but it you put your all into what you have, something perfect will always result.
22. Time heals all wounds...but it takes just that...TIME
23. True love is definitely worth the risk. Always follow your heart. I tend to run a lot, and for whatever reason I stopped this time...I've never been more happy that I did so.
1. Communication is the key to life...AND the key to love. I'm working to hone my skills, but for those that know me, know that I've come a long way since I was the 12 year old mouse kid who walked around with a huge smile as if life was made of sunshine and peaches when in all actuality it is not.
2. Learn to love to read! I had to learn the hard way because I was punished for 3 months in high school and that was pretty much the only thing I could do...but since then I have no problem indulging myself in a book. I like to think it has helped enhance my vocabulary.
3. Believe in yourself. If you don't, how can you expect anyone else to?
4. In order to have good friends, you must be a GREAT friend.
5. Never turn your back on your parents. As much as my mom and I don't get along, she was the one person who moved me into college my freshman year, and drove 29hrs to move me in to my apartment for grad school. If that ain't love I don't know what it is.
6. If you want to live your life free from addiction, DO NOT GET A BLACKBERRY.
7. On the technology note...Mac books are the best. Once you go Mac, you never go back.
8. There is no such thing as a 100% man/woman...if you can get 85 or better, baby you are doing great!
9. Don't be afraid to put it in the wind...sometimes you just have to get up and go and leave all your worries behind.
10. If you are going to come in after curfew, you might as well do it big. 2 minutes or 2 hours honestly doesn't matter. You will still be grounded til the day you graduate.
11. Hurricanes can change you life in an instant. When the weather man says go...it might be wise to listen. I'd rather it be my house than my life.
12. If the princess ain't happy, ain't nobody happy (on the mug that I received for my birthday). If that doesn't speak volumes about me I don't know what does. I really have a way of my making everyone else's life miserable if mine is not going perfectly.
13. Blond hair dye is not whats up if you are a black girl (even if you are bright). It may seem awesome and "different" at the time, but when you look at pictures of yourself years later, the first thing that will come to mind is "wtf?"
14. If you go to the club and the bouncer knows your name...that is not a good look for you. That means you need to slow your roll, because obviously you are doing too much with your life.
15. If you have roommates for 3 consecutive years...stay with them. Moving in with someone you barely know is not whats up.
16. Better yet, just live alone...that way everyone is happy.
17. Don't follow your dreams...Chase them!
18. It's ok to try everything at least once...never think of things as regrets...see them as "learning" experiences.
19. Never judge a book by its cover. There is so much more to people than what meets the eye.
20. Facebook ruins lives and relationships...still hasn't stopped my addiction to it though.
21. Play the hand that you are given. Nothing is ever going to be perfect, but it you put your all into what you have, something perfect will always result.
22. Time heals all wounds...but it takes just that...TIME
23. True love is definitely worth the risk. Always follow your heart. I tend to run a lot, and for whatever reason I stopped this time...I've never been more happy that I did so.
Happy 23rd to ME!
Being a track coach, I'm never going to avoid celebrating my birthday during the season. For the past few years, it has fallen on a practice day, but NEVER on a meet day. This year proved no different however, it was spent on a 4 hour bus ride to Maine. Woohoo!!!! Can't get anymore exciting than traveling to Maine, right? Well actually, this was probably the most simple birthday ever (seeing as how I had HUGE parties all through college), but I enjoyed EVERY single minute of it. I feel like it goes with my age...cool, calm and collected. I had dinner and drinks with a select few the night before. 2 of the closest people to me in MA bought me a cake and balloon (of which I shared...which if you don't know me, that is huge because I don't like to share food...especially sweets). The girls chose decent movies on the bus ride (which made it that much more tolerable). They sang Happy Birthday (actually so did my aunt, cousin, and best friend on my voicemail as well lol). And I received so many thoughtful cards that I swear I cried on most of them. For the first time this semester I was truly happy for an entire day...and gosh did it feel good!
Felicia, me, and Shan (<3 these girls)
Thursday, April 9, 2009
just a sprinkle of racism...
Today in my Women in Sport class, we had two guest speakers Carla Coffey (the head track coach here at Smith) and Billy McBride (the assistant athletic director at Amherst College in Amherst, MA). Both a people of a color, and our topic was on racism and sexism in sport. Recently I have been talking a lot with Carla about issues of racism and sexism due to the problem I encountered at the beginning of this semester, so for the most part I know her views, and we both experience an unbiased type of racism everyday just by being a part of the Smith community.
However this post is not about them. If you want to chat more about it, feel free to contact me. In the middle of our panel, our professor told us a story that the Dean of Graduate Students (Danielle Ramduth), also a woman of color, relayed to her a few days ago. Danielle's 7 year old daughter attends the Smith Campus School, and recently came home crying because the kids wouldn't pick her for different activities to be on their "team." They told her if she could make her skin a little more "white" then they would consider choosing her next time. This story instantly fueled a sense of anger in me because as many times as we'd like to think that racism no longer exist in the world, obviously it still does. These kids are only 7 years old, and this is the environment that they are being brought up in. As a future parent, I had tears in my eyes thinking about how I would react in the situation and what my response to my child would be. I know what it's like to be the only black person in a situation...it's pretty much what I face everyday. But to know that my child is being discriminated against because of the color of their skin is just horrifying. I am grown so in a sense I know how to deal with such issues...but a child? It's extremely disheartening to know that this type of actions still exist, and that not much has truly changed in the last half century. So as parents...what do we do? How do we handle such a situation?
However this post is not about them. If you want to chat more about it, feel free to contact me. In the middle of our panel, our professor told us a story that the Dean of Graduate Students (Danielle Ramduth), also a woman of color, relayed to her a few days ago. Danielle's 7 year old daughter attends the Smith Campus School, and recently came home crying because the kids wouldn't pick her for different activities to be on their "team." They told her if she could make her skin a little more "white" then they would consider choosing her next time. This story instantly fueled a sense of anger in me because as many times as we'd like to think that racism no longer exist in the world, obviously it still does. These kids are only 7 years old, and this is the environment that they are being brought up in. As a future parent, I had tears in my eyes thinking about how I would react in the situation and what my response to my child would be. I know what it's like to be the only black person in a situation...it's pretty much what I face everyday. But to know that my child is being discriminated against because of the color of their skin is just horrifying. I am grown so in a sense I know how to deal with such issues...but a child? It's extremely disheartening to know that this type of actions still exist, and that not much has truly changed in the last half century. So as parents...what do we do? How do we handle such a situation?
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
WORST.DAY.EVER.
Just when I thought things could get no worse yesterday...they did! And 10 times over at that...
After work I decided to "re-start" my day...an in that I mean, I went to Felicia's apartment to take a nap. I always feel better when I can sleep away my negativity and I feel refreshed when I wake up...well most of the time that is.
I woke up pretty indifferent toward everything, but practice usually cheers me up so I felt like things would end on a positive note. Well everything was going according to plan. The weather was pleasant (about 58 and sunny). Everyone showed up to practice (yes it is totally allowed to just come and go as you please...hey that's not my rule so I can't say much about it). Relay exchanges were surprisingly on point...because this weekend was more closer to hectic than anything else. Hurdle drills and plyos were better than usual. Then it was time for starts...and thus the problems begin.
My 400 hurdler that I gloated about in the previous blog, comes barrelling through the first hurdle, clips it with her lead leg, proceeds to do a somersault in the air, and lands on the left side of her head. My first reaction was "OH SHIT!" I ran over to her along with Carla (the head coach) and Valerie (the distance coach), and she is laid out on the track. Now this is where the story gets interesting. I run down to the lacrosse field to get a trainer (because all of them were strategically situated around the lacrosse game...i.e., watching and not paying attention to the 3 other sports who were practicing at the same time). Once I get there (after having sprinted over), I say we need a trainer atop the hill on the track. The response I got was "FOR WHAT?" In my head I wanted to say, "look I didn't run down here to get a m/f'in bandaid", but I kept my cool and explained the situation. Of course they send the GA, who semi sprints back with me, and after examining her, she decides she wants to sit her up. I'm like are you freaking kidding. Now I know I'm not a licensed anything, but in CPR/first aid we learn to NEVER move someone who might have a possible neck injury. Any who...we decide to call public safety, who zooms over...to the wrong side of the track...and then calmly WALKS over like the situation is NOT an urgent emergency. The ambulance is called and they come load her on the stretcher, all wrapped up in the head/neck brace and spine board. THEN... the ambulance gets stuck in the mud so they have to call the fire truck to come get them out, and another ambulance to come transport our injured athlete. By the time they made it to the hospital to meet me (who had been there for about 30min with the insurance info), it had been a whopping 1HOUR since the incident occurred. Now mind you the hospital is 3 min from school. Thank God this was not a life threatening emergency b/c she would have been dead.
The hospital people were total butts like always...no sense of urgency at all...I'm still trying to figure out why it's call an EMERGENCY room if no one gives a flying flip and clearly work on their own time. 4 hours, 2 CAT scans, and 1 xray later, they let us leave but not before telling us that our budding star has 2 weeks (at least) of NO physical activity. I swear my heart broke instantly. It was almost as bad as finding out you've been cheated on by the love of you life.
We then decide to treat ourselves to dinner on Mother Smith because it is after 10pm by this time.
But wait there's more...
After dropping everyone off...I'm on my way home...and my car runs out of gas...on the freeway...with no lights...in the middle of freakin nowhere! Yes I know it's all my fault, but really???? My day went from a 1 on the shit scale to a cool -15. But by this point I could really care less. Normally I'd get super frantic about a situation like this, but honestly all I could do was laugh it off and wait for Carla to bring me a gas can. This gas can she brought had like an inkling of gas in it...I was like oh Lord this is about to be rough trying to make it home. But I did, and I found out that unlike in Texas, once a gas station closes here...there is no such thing of pumping and just charging it to your credit card. Oh well...
I finally made it to my bed at around 12:30am...it was a day of hell nonetheless...but for once I wasn't mad...just happy that I could finally close my eye lids and dream of starting my day off right today.
So for today, I've got the update on my hurdler (she has some war wounds and is incredibly sore...plus she still doesn't remember what happened), I found out I get to make a cool video project, AND I made a difference in the life of a few of my students in my physical conditioning classes just by playing KICKBALL.
Maybe yesterday was just God's way of telling me to step back and be grateful for all that I have, because in an instance it can all be taken away...It sucks be so hard headed all the time...
After work I decided to "re-start" my day...an in that I mean, I went to Felicia's apartment to take a nap. I always feel better when I can sleep away my negativity and I feel refreshed when I wake up...well most of the time that is.
I woke up pretty indifferent toward everything, but practice usually cheers me up so I felt like things would end on a positive note. Well everything was going according to plan. The weather was pleasant (about 58 and sunny). Everyone showed up to practice (yes it is totally allowed to just come and go as you please...hey that's not my rule so I can't say much about it). Relay exchanges were surprisingly on point...because this weekend was more closer to hectic than anything else. Hurdle drills and plyos were better than usual. Then it was time for starts...and thus the problems begin.
My 400 hurdler that I gloated about in the previous blog, comes barrelling through the first hurdle, clips it with her lead leg, proceeds to do a somersault in the air, and lands on the left side of her head. My first reaction was "OH SHIT!" I ran over to her along with Carla (the head coach) and Valerie (the distance coach), and she is laid out on the track. Now this is where the story gets interesting. I run down to the lacrosse field to get a trainer (because all of them were strategically situated around the lacrosse game...i.e., watching and not paying attention to the 3 other sports who were practicing at the same time). Once I get there (after having sprinted over), I say we need a trainer atop the hill on the track. The response I got was "FOR WHAT?" In my head I wanted to say, "look I didn't run down here to get a m/f'in bandaid", but I kept my cool and explained the situation. Of course they send the GA, who semi sprints back with me, and after examining her, she decides she wants to sit her up. I'm like are you freaking kidding. Now I know I'm not a licensed anything, but in CPR/first aid we learn to NEVER move someone who might have a possible neck injury. Any who...we decide to call public safety, who zooms over...to the wrong side of the track...and then calmly WALKS over like the situation is NOT an urgent emergency. The ambulance is called and they come load her on the stretcher, all wrapped up in the head/neck brace and spine board. THEN... the ambulance gets stuck in the mud so they have to call the fire truck to come get them out, and another ambulance to come transport our injured athlete. By the time they made it to the hospital to meet me (who had been there for about 30min with the insurance info), it had been a whopping 1HOUR since the incident occurred. Now mind you the hospital is 3 min from school. Thank God this was not a life threatening emergency b/c she would have been dead.
The hospital people were total butts like always...no sense of urgency at all...I'm still trying to figure out why it's call an EMERGENCY room if no one gives a flying flip and clearly work on their own time. 4 hours, 2 CAT scans, and 1 xray later, they let us leave but not before telling us that our budding star has 2 weeks (at least) of NO physical activity. I swear my heart broke instantly. It was almost as bad as finding out you've been cheated on by the love of you life.
We then decide to treat ourselves to dinner on Mother Smith because it is after 10pm by this time.
But wait there's more...
After dropping everyone off...I'm on my way home...and my car runs out of gas...on the freeway...with no lights...in the middle of freakin nowhere! Yes I know it's all my fault, but really???? My day went from a 1 on the shit scale to a cool -15. But by this point I could really care less. Normally I'd get super frantic about a situation like this, but honestly all I could do was laugh it off and wait for Carla to bring me a gas can. This gas can she brought had like an inkling of gas in it...I was like oh Lord this is about to be rough trying to make it home. But I did, and I found out that unlike in Texas, once a gas station closes here...there is no such thing of pumping and just charging it to your credit card. Oh well...
I finally made it to my bed at around 12:30am...it was a day of hell nonetheless...but for once I wasn't mad...just happy that I could finally close my eye lids and dream of starting my day off right today.
So for today, I've got the update on my hurdler (she has some war wounds and is incredibly sore...plus she still doesn't remember what happened), I found out I get to make a cool video project, AND I made a difference in the life of a few of my students in my physical conditioning classes just by playing KICKBALL.
Maybe yesterday was just God's way of telling me to step back and be grateful for all that I have, because in an instance it can all be taken away...It sucks be so hard headed all the time...
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