I've Had Mentors, but Now I Have a Coach

Maybe the reason I am so enamored with my personal trainer and my training is because I've never had a coach before. A really good coach. I've had mentors and role models, but never a coach.

I was a pretty athletic kid, but not athletic enough to be on teams. I was a medium tomboy. I loved hanging out with the boys in the neighborhood and playing sports in the street and yard, but I never made the teams in school.

I swam on the swim team in the neighborhood when I was little, but I had no stamina. As soon as you had to go to there and back, I was out. So my swim ribbons were over at the age of 10.

I played softball in the summers, but never made the school team. I made pom poms or cheerleeding in grade school and Jr. high, but not in high school, because I couldn't do the splits or round-offs. In 7th grade I ran a 220 in gym class in like 38 seconds or something and the teacher asked me to join track. Well, we had to jog miles for practice. I can't jog miles, I run sprints. I lasted a day on the track team.

At home my brothers would tell me they would teach me how to do layups because I just never understood the rhythm of them. They got as far as watching me do one and then they would fall out on the grass laughing at me.

My dad coached me by yelling at me not to hold the mitt in front of my face when he saw me playing catch with my brothers when he got home from work. Because I would get my teeth knocked out catching that way. He did, however, teach me to throw a spiral with a football and I can still throw a mean spiral!!

I did have a good experience in college with intramural football. I was the quarterback of a good team and we had volunteer coaches. We won some tournaments and had tons of fun.

Anyway, as I was training today and watching some of the other people training, I realized that really like having a coach. I love having someone push me just a little bit. I love having someone believe in me and want me to do well.

There is just something a little extra in having someone pick out exercises that are more challenging for you. It's more satisfying to do them and have to push myself and even have to have him say, c'mon, c'mon, and even help a little or even completely having to stop and do the last 2 after a breath than to just do something easier.

I have such a pride in never complaining.  I say I'm sorry if I have to stop or if I do an ugly rep or something, but I refuse to say I am not going to try something. And some days, like today, when I get to the locker room, tears just come out in joy and appreciation and release of every emotion.

I want to make my coach proud. I appreciate having the best coach on the planet. I understand what it is to have a great coach now.