Coaching Joy

This time of year I am consistently overwhelmed with fulfillment and joy. Largely this is due to coaching.  My passion is coaching runners but I also love coaching gymnasts. Saturday was National Gymnastics Day and during all the events at Glory, I had to step in and coach.  Recently I've had to pull back from my coaching duties at the gym because I was just doing too much and getting overwhelmed... To the point that it was affecting my mental health.  So my husband fired me.  Sounds harsh, but it was a beautiful gift. He knew my sense of responsibility and loyalty would never allow me to step away, so he made the decision for me. (These situations are great examples of why God made the man the head of the house) Anyway, I've been away from coaching gymnasts and it was fun to get to step in and coach some super cool young girls on Saturday. Yet I'm thankful for the extra time and energy I get to put into my XC team this season. Last year, in trying to coach so many teams and teach, no one got my best.  This year I feel like I can give my runners the coach they deserve. 

Currently we are ranked 5th in our division in the state.  And not because of talent... These guys work their butts off.  They get up and run before school, then endure killer practices after school. Today was their first day off since Labor Day.  Last night they ran 15 miles. These are some of my favorite parts of the season so far:

"THAT'S IT?"  This has become the catch phrase of the season. (Better than 2 years ago when it was 'that's what she said') Every time I give a task at practice, I will inevitably hear from someone on the team: 'that's it?' You have 15 miles this Saturday: 'that's it?' You have 12 400s in under 1:00: 'that's it?' You have 5 800s in under 2:45 with 10 hill sprints in between each: 'that's it?' And the funny thing is, in their heads I know they're thinking 'holy crap how am I going to do this?'  But they are refusing to admit weakness. They are positioning themselves to take on more. This is beautiful to a coach. I get the pleasure of helping them discover that their limits are far beyond what they originally thought.

Relying on God.  Last year after asking how they felt after an extremely hard workout, one of my runners (currently my number 1 this year) said "I don't see how I'm not sore, I guess God's been really nice to me and does practically everything in practice for me" (a freshman said that).  This week, one of my sophomores said something similar. After Wednesdays level 9 workout(I rank my workouts so the kids know what they're accomplishing) this runner said 'coach, gotta be honest, I didn't think I could do today, so I prayed and I told God he was gonna have to do it.' This, after the kid actually did complete the workout in all my required times. My captain wrote the meet motivation for our first meet and quoted 1 Corinthians 9:24.  And right now I have runners requesting to get to be the one that leads the team prayer before a meet.  There may be separation of church and state in public schools but you just can't be a runner and not acknowledge God. And coaching runners in a public school, I get to see God honored at a public school everyday!

Leading a leader. I have to say that my captain this year is the best one I've ever had. His freshmen year I had a prophetic dream about him. (During XC season I usually have lots of XC themed dreams, and almost always they are significant, esp. when it comes to picking my leaders.) So this poor kid has been being groomed for leadership since he was 14. Having no seniors this year, I had to ask him, now a junior, to captain this epic team. I have asked him to do things I would normally never ask a 16 year old to do. I have put more weight on him, had higher expectations for him, and required him to step up (perhaps before his time.) And I can honestly say that for the most part he has risen to the mark.  He's an excellent pacer, leads the team during speed workouts, maintains good grades in very hard junior classes, and has a great reputation for conduct. But the surprising blessing is I'm finally getting to see the real him....which has turned out to be an incredibly witty, hilarious, and honest young man.  He is taking great pleasure in 'messing with' his coach.... But I'm game. I asked him this week why suddenly he thought he could talk like he did and mess with me like he did, and he said "because I'm more comfortable, this is how I am with my family."  What an honor. Yeah sure sometimes he crosses the line and says something he shouldn't... But when it's among family, it's ok.

That ADD kid.  It's been my experience that many times that smart ADD kid that gets in trouble at school and home, makes a great runner.  So I recruit these kids. And I've got a new one this year.  And he's so fun to coach.  He's not in my top 8 yet.  But he sure wants to get there.  What's fun about these kids is how much you see running affect their everyday life. I've gotten reports from his parents, his youth ministers, and his teachers, a noticeable difference in his behavior, attitude, and maturity. And they all keep saying it's XC. Now I'm no miracle worker; all I do is coach running. And it's no easy task: (I had to put this kid on a 7 min wall sit this last Friday for failing a test.) but somehow, this sport, with its brain chemistry altering and its requirement for discipline and commitment, these kids grow exponentially. I get to see negative energy turn into positive energy. I get to see these kids gain confidence and self respect. 

This isn't even the half of it, but this is some of why I come home every night fulfilled and overflowing with joy.  I know God designed me to be a coach. And my job doesn't feel like a job. It's just fun. Life is fun.