I, in general, do not share my children’s accomplishments
because they are THEIR accomplishments, not mine. It doesn’t mean I’m not proud of them. I am extraordinarily proud of them, but they
have their own stories to tell and share.
I share this story because it is really about Coach. Last night, I was
at an indoor track meet. In a building
with that is known for its poor air quality and tiny track. I was there to watch my son run the 1600 (1
mile). Eleven times around a slippery
track. I’ve talked about how Coach
quietly talks to his runners as they go by him (Conversations in the car with Coach).
He would offer advice each time M
rounded the curve, “Looking good, stay relaxed, etc.” M had been in a pack of three at the front of
the heat the entire race. With two laps to go, Coach said something to M that I couldn’t hear. I watched his face
change, his head move up, his chest open and his shoulders drop into a more
relaxed position.He picked up his pace and moved in front to break away from
the pack. He finished first in his
heat. Not a PR (but, oh, so close), not
the fastest in the race, but first in his heat!
On the ride home, I asked him what Coach had said to him that last
time. M told me Coach said, “M, you just
have to believe in yourself.” Wow. Isn’t that what we all need to hear? You just have to believe in yourself. We have
what it takes to be the best version of ourselves, maybe not the best in the
field, but the best, nonetheless. Long
after the good feelings of this race have vanished, long after M’s track days
are over, I’ll bet that Coach’s advice to M to believe in himself will still be with
him.
My application to be a coach for a local kids running
program was accepted this week. The goal
of the program is to get elementary- and middle school-aged kids residing in
low income neighborhoods of this region moving. I’ve been interested in this program for a few
years (Running Intersects with Education). My children’s schedules just
haven’t made that possible until now. I’ve
argued for years (and researchers have backed it up) that when you feel better
physically, you feel better mentally. And when you feel better, you just do better. You do. A
program that aims to reduce childhood obesity and chronic diseases like
diabetes? Sign me up. I got to thinking last night, what
if some of these kids have never heard anyone tell them they believe in
them. Could I be that person? I truly hope so. Could you be that person for someone? It doesn’t have to be a child. I challenge all of you to look around and
discover who that person might be.
