When I was a little kid I hated roller coasters. I think this fear stemmed from the fact that I had (and still kind of do have) an extreme aversion to throwing up. It's funny then, that the past two months have been nothing but an endless roller coaster ride of life and a weekly exposure to finish line barf. My life feels like a fricken carnival ride these past few months, but at the end of the day I don't want to get off!
Here is just a peak into the wonderful and woeful ups and downs life has brought me recently:
1.) Kara Goucher joins Oiselle-
Boo ya! What a statement that made, am I right? Kara Goucher, Nike's princess said "see ya" and signed up with the heroines of Oiselle to perhaps make a bit less money, but undoubtedly an enormous impact on the running world. I have so enjoyed watching Kara's career blossom and see how running has helped her evolve into this beautiful and inspiring woman, mother, and runner. Her choice to join Oiselle is HUGE, not only for the brand, but for the role that women have in the sport of running in general.
2.) Compartment Syndrome-
While I am not personally suffering from this injury, it has given me much agony and frustration in dealing with it in the case of one of my athletes. Compartment syndrome, or more generally dealing with injuries at the D3 level is so dang frustrating. It's an endless cycle of hoops to jump through, health insurance obstacles, delayed appointments, and more. Keeping my fingers crossed that this resolves itself soon so I can see this athlete return to the breakthrough she was about to experience upon its onset.
3.) Oberlin is ranked #18 in the country after Bucknell Classic-
Now for a little shameless bragging. Not on my part, but on the part of my kickass women's team who destroyed the 10k at the Bucknell Classic a few weeks ago. I can't begin to express the amount of happiness and pride I have for the women I get to work with here at Oberlin. These past two years I have seen such incredible growth, not only in terms of running and training, but of maturity, poise, and purpose.
We've been riding the glory train the past few weeks as Oberlin runners sit in 5th, 6th, and 7th on the 10k National list, after a solid minute and a half PR for 2 of the 3 women secured their spots.
Perhaps the coolest thing for me is to see how both of these women who had such huge PR's worked together tirelessly throughout the race. One of them PR-ed TWICE in the 5k through the 10k, to earn herself a fairytale ending to her senior year.
4.) Recruiting-
The life cycle of recruiting is like a roller coaster in itself. I feel as if my mood and mental state is largely dependent upon the latest recruiting win or battle I am involved in. Recruiting, no matter how successful a year you may have, is always always always a tribulation of heart break, frustration, and crushed hopes. At times I feel as if my heart is a stomped out mess on the floor as I inevitably get attached to certain recruits only to have them make the "wrong" decision. This year especially has been both an enlightening, but long year for recruiting. While most people have their recruits wrapped up in pretty little bows, I am still fighting the good fight. There's no rest for the weary (especially in D3) as getting those phone calls and visits in with juniors is already happening! Ugh, I need a nap.
5.) The Boston Marathon-
'Merica! Meb won the marathon to break a 30+ year streak of foreign dominance, Shalane ran a PR and set the tone of the race, and my old housemate Nick Arciniaga got a PR and was second American overall! Not to forget my hometown hero Jefferey Eggleston who was 3rd American, D3 superstar and fellow coach Esther Erb finishing 20th with a huge PR, and my three college teammates who ran some tough races! What a great day!
As the school year draws to an end and schedules get hectic and stressful I'm finding more and more important to remember that life is a constant bombardment of obstacles that bring both joy and frustration; but more often than not always work themselves out for the better. Choosing to focus on the positives, and taking time in ever day to enjoy the momentum and thrill of the ride makes the fears and doubts fade away.
Here is just a peak into the wonderful and woeful ups and downs life has brought me recently:
1.) Kara Goucher joins Oiselle-
Boo ya! What a statement that made, am I right? Kara Goucher, Nike's princess said "see ya" and signed up with the heroines of Oiselle to perhaps make a bit less money, but undoubtedly an enormous impact on the running world. I have so enjoyed watching Kara's career blossom and see how running has helped her evolve into this beautiful and inspiring woman, mother, and runner. Her choice to join Oiselle is HUGE, not only for the brand, but for the role that women have in the sport of running in general.
2.) Compartment Syndrome-
While I am not personally suffering from this injury, it has given me much agony and frustration in dealing with it in the case of one of my athletes. Compartment syndrome, or more generally dealing with injuries at the D3 level is so dang frustrating. It's an endless cycle of hoops to jump through, health insurance obstacles, delayed appointments, and more. Keeping my fingers crossed that this resolves itself soon so I can see this athlete return to the breakthrough she was about to experience upon its onset.
3.) Oberlin is ranked #18 in the country after Bucknell Classic-
Now for a little shameless bragging. Not on my part, but on the part of my kickass women's team who destroyed the 10k at the Bucknell Classic a few weeks ago. I can't begin to express the amount of happiness and pride I have for the women I get to work with here at Oberlin. These past two years I have seen such incredible growth, not only in terms of running and training, but of maturity, poise, and purpose.
We've been riding the glory train the past few weeks as Oberlin runners sit in 5th, 6th, and 7th on the 10k National list, after a solid minute and a half PR for 2 of the 3 women secured their spots.
Perhaps the coolest thing for me is to see how both of these women who had such huge PR's worked together tirelessly throughout the race. One of them PR-ed TWICE in the 5k through the 10k, to earn herself a fairytale ending to her senior year.
4.) Recruiting-
The life cycle of recruiting is like a roller coaster in itself. I feel as if my mood and mental state is largely dependent upon the latest recruiting win or battle I am involved in. Recruiting, no matter how successful a year you may have, is always always always a tribulation of heart break, frustration, and crushed hopes. At times I feel as if my heart is a stomped out mess on the floor as I inevitably get attached to certain recruits only to have them make the "wrong" decision. This year especially has been both an enlightening, but long year for recruiting. While most people have their recruits wrapped up in pretty little bows, I am still fighting the good fight. There's no rest for the weary (especially in D3) as getting those phone calls and visits in with juniors is already happening! Ugh, I need a nap.
5.) The Boston Marathon-
'Merica! Meb won the marathon to break a 30+ year streak of foreign dominance, Shalane ran a PR and set the tone of the race, and my old housemate Nick Arciniaga got a PR and was second American overall! Not to forget my hometown hero Jefferey Eggleston who was 3rd American, D3 superstar and fellow coach Esther Erb finishing 20th with a huge PR, and my three college teammates who ran some tough races! What a great day!
As the school year draws to an end and schedules get hectic and stressful I'm finding more and more important to remember that life is a constant bombardment of obstacles that bring both joy and frustration; but more often than not always work themselves out for the better. Choosing to focus on the positives, and taking time in ever day to enjoy the momentum and thrill of the ride makes the fears and doubts fade away.