making a difference...

This past Monday we had our track team banquet/dinner (depends on how you want to look at it). This was kind of exciting because we never had anything like this while I was at Rice, and while we had the athletic banquet for the entire department, it was really nice to simply focus on our team. Dinner was great, everyone showed up, and the awards given out (with the stories behind them) were hilarious. The kids gave all the coaches cards and a single rose to show their appreciation for us and it definitely got a huge smile from each one of us...yep all 7 of us. Close to the end of the dinner I began reading my card since we had some down time and I could feel my eyes well up with tears. Before I tell you why, I must explain the story behind it.

There is this one particular athlete on the team who is by far at the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to talent. But she comes to practice everyday and she gives 150% effort despite what her times or distances may show. When she first came out, she had to practice early twice a week because she had a class scheduled during practice time. Shannon (my work wife) and I took turns coming out early to make sure she wouldn't feel left out and "unloved" by the coaches. The first few times I was out there with here, we focused solely on sprint drills because she was so highly uncoordinated. She would get discouraged from time to time but I told her my story about how I started off as a super struggling athlete and ended up blossoming into a competitive division I athlete. I told her that no matter how bad I performed or how much I hurt doing so, I refused to quit until the coaches told me to leave. And they never did and that's what shaped me into the athlete I became over 4 years.

So back to the card. This athlete wrote "You kept me going when I thought I couldn't." Those words were so powerful to me and it made me feel that this year I succeeded as a coach. One of the main reasons I do what I do is so that I can make a difference in some one's life. I have a passion in what I do, and I try to portray that to my athletes...and apparently this season I did. For the first time a few of my girls saw my sensitive side and boy where they shocked. But when something as powerful as that occurs, you can't help but let the soft side shine through.

coach's weekend

This weekend was by far the worst I've had as a coach this year. It didn't help that I carried some "unhappy with the team" baggage into the meet, but the girls definitely topped off my "shit" list (for a lack of better words) on Saturday. As Carla put it, some of the girls brought their "A" game, and the rest (i.e. the majority) brought NO game. She wasn't pleased and neither was I. I think for the first time I was truly visibly upset with them, and it was elevated because this is championship season and we really don't have time for an "off day" as far as performance. Needless to say, if they do not get their act together, their season will be cut short. I've fought for them all season to be able to run through the remainder of the season, but at some point they have to prove that they can back up what I'm saying.

On a lighter note, here are some pics from conference weekend and the athlete banquet...I feel like I'm starting to look and get respected as an actual coach.

priceless...

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.

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...

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.

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)