We had wind, sun and the smell of hamburgers grilling near the start of the 100. At the last exchange for the 4 x 100, smoke from the grill poured across all six lanes but no one missed their hand-off because of it.
8:40 -9:00. My colleague and I walk some laps on the track waiting for our kids to arrive. We walk and talk about feminism, family, culture and work-arounds. I love her even more for how we can be this way with each other. Side by side, in motion, open and honest.
U., She was my girl in the mid ’90’s. Now she’s a track coach with a team of her own and all the frustrations and joys of building a program worthy of the commitment she brings to kids and the sport. I am honored to be her peer, her friend, her one-time coach. Relationships that last and morph and mature like this one are among the sweetest blessings life can bring.
That moment when my boy who could not put down his phone and ear buds for anything a week ago, hands them to me this morning before warm-up drills with the team. #Winning.
A coaches’ relay? Sure. 2nd leg? Sure. *Runs race, passes at least 1 person*
My athletes afterwards: Hey, Mrs. S. you really can run!
Watching that one girl I had to coax into running the 4 x 400 at the end of a very long day despite her reservations about being fit enough hand off the baton to her team mate in first position and then pick up that gold medal afterwards. Doubt is what she brought to the start, belief + proof is what she’s taking home.
In the space of just over 36 hours I flew to another city in a neighboring country, met friends and coaching colleagues for 1 1/2 day track meet, coached athletes, returned home, had the best time. This is my life and it is glorious.
My friend Dan from Munich is retiring after almost 50 years of coaching. He was one of the founding athletic directors of both of our school’s main sports conferences. I have been around for half of his tenure.
Track has been an enduring part of my life. I ran my first races at around 12. Somehow this sport provides a continuity to my story like few other things.
image CC0 via Pixabay
edifiedlistener 
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