Respect the coach

A coach is a role that is valued in my life next to my parents and teachers.  I've been fortunate to have wonderful and caring coaches that have made me the athlete, and to some extent the person, I am today. And so when recently some parents got upset about what position their children should play, I had to step back and think of my position of the coach. 

Ode to my coaches 
My first coach, my dad, who taught me soccer at the age of 6 and the passion of playing - The Roadrunners. We played at wee hours of the morning, in the pouring rain, cut vacations short, and practiced during holidays.  There are no excuses..you just play.

My high school cross country coach.  My first female coach (and math teacher) who believed in my running speed and trusted me with the the role of being the captain and leading the team.  Taught me to lead by example.

My high school soccer coach at who gave me a spot on the varsity team (I was a freshman) and gave me chances to earn my position.  I was put on the team as an alternate and had to try harder than I ever would to get a spot on the field..and I did.

Paul Romero..my adventure racing coach.   Many year later, as a grown woman, gave me the tools to do my first expedition race and the tips to survive.  He instilled in me the power of your will - NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER GIVE UP.   I learned that my will is very very deep.

Veronica, my older sister, who in every life situation, gave me the guidance to trudge forward with integrity.  At my first adventure race (see Paul Romero), said a few hours before the start "It isn't IF you run out of water, IF you run out of food, or IF you get lost...it is what you do when it happens".

Derek Hermon of Bear Valley Bikes (www.bvbikes.com) who is the closest thing to my mountain bike racing coach I have.  Who should me how to race, what to wear (and a jacket wasn't one of them), and told it like it is..no sugar coating.

My respect for coaches is deep.  The coach is looking after you AND for the team. and one thing I never did was question or doubt my coach.  

My daughter running with the ball.  I'm smiling in the background.

A funny thing happened tonight when parents approached the coach demanding their child play a different position.  All I could think is "how can you question the coach?!"  The lessons of the coach are many and some lessons you may not realize for years.  You may learn how to pack your bag, care for your gear, how to be a team player, that you are better than you think, or that you need to try harder.  Teach you new skills that you want to perfect; or that it's not about winning or losing, it's about how you played that really matters.  And that you when you practice together for hours and months and taste the joy of winning, that it feels so good.

In this day when everyone wants a trophy, I think parents need to let kids have the space to learn.  Let children be guided by a coach and learn their lesson(s).  Let kids have the opportunity to speak up, reflect, enjoy, trip and fall, and let the coach be there to help them.

Go team!  Go coach!
Chi