Ladies,
I know it's a hard day for most, but the season is at an end for all but Carrie. Congratulations to Carrie for doing the job today - and it came in the third mile, by the way - but it is a hard day for the rest.
I could go through and break the races down, point out how insanely fast the first 800 was for everyone, but there is little point now. It's done for now, and we'll have to wait a while before we can do anything about it. It's bitter, because this is when the "coulda/shoulda/woulda" starts. Don't do it. Not today. It's too soon.
Better to focus on what positive things came out of the year, or in some cases, years running. You girls came to know one another, you've been through a lot on the training runs, races, bus trips, and just had time to grow friendships that will last a lifetime. You learned life lessons such as the value of hard work, commitment, and unfortunately today how sometimes all you do falls short.
And here's where one of the most valuable of all life lessons occurs.
You won't always win. You won't always get what you want. You won't always get the job, win the contest, or even win the heart of that special person. Sometimes it just won't work out. And it feels like you've failed. Be careful. Your focus is too narrow if you believe that. In the grand scheme of things, that short-term win may not have been the real victory at all. The real victory is one of character and perseverance.
Look, it's easy to look like a winner when you win. What's tough is looking (and acting) like a winner when you lose. We didn't win a place in Semi-State, but we aren't losers. Remember that, and if you do, this form of disappointment can go a long way to mold you into a much better person.
I always look at these things like this... when I stand before my God and answer for my life, I always imagine being shown images of my past, the good and the bad times, and I can't help but believe my God won't care how many medals I won, rather how I conducted myself, win or lose, when things went my way and when they didn't. Your real character, more often than not, is on full display when you don't get what you really want.
Am I disappointed? Of course. But not in you ladies. Not in your work ethic, and certainly not you as young adults. No, I'm sorry our time is at an end. I'm tired and need a rest, but I already miss you ladies. I miss the seniors whom I'll never get to coach again. I miss the opportunities to relive the whole wonderful running experience through your eyes. It's the Peter Pan in me, I suppose, that part of me that will never grow up.
I will break the numbers down tomorrow, at least a bit. For now I want to sit on this, absorb what it all means, and plan for the future. It's a bittersweet moment for sure - we did get a runner through (YAY!), but so many didn't make it.
For now, you are all welcome to come out and help Carrie get ready for next weekend. I know some of you will, some won't be able to make it, but I want to also let you all know you are welcome to go to Semi-State next weekend!
I know it's a hard day for most, but the season is at an end for all but Carrie. Congratulations to Carrie for doing the job today - and it came in the third mile, by the way - but it is a hard day for the rest.
I could go through and break the races down, point out how insanely fast the first 800 was for everyone, but there is little point now. It's done for now, and we'll have to wait a while before we can do anything about it. It's bitter, because this is when the "coulda/shoulda/woulda" starts. Don't do it. Not today. It's too soon.
Better to focus on what positive things came out of the year, or in some cases, years running. You girls came to know one another, you've been through a lot on the training runs, races, bus trips, and just had time to grow friendships that will last a lifetime. You learned life lessons such as the value of hard work, commitment, and unfortunately today how sometimes all you do falls short.
And here's where one of the most valuable of all life lessons occurs.
You won't always win. You won't always get what you want. You won't always get the job, win the contest, or even win the heart of that special person. Sometimes it just won't work out. And it feels like you've failed. Be careful. Your focus is too narrow if you believe that. In the grand scheme of things, that short-term win may not have been the real victory at all. The real victory is one of character and perseverance.
Look, it's easy to look like a winner when you win. What's tough is looking (and acting) like a winner when you lose. We didn't win a place in Semi-State, but we aren't losers. Remember that, and if you do, this form of disappointment can go a long way to mold you into a much better person.
I always look at these things like this... when I stand before my God and answer for my life, I always imagine being shown images of my past, the good and the bad times, and I can't help but believe my God won't care how many medals I won, rather how I conducted myself, win or lose, when things went my way and when they didn't. Your real character, more often than not, is on full display when you don't get what you really want.
Am I disappointed? Of course. But not in you ladies. Not in your work ethic, and certainly not you as young adults. No, I'm sorry our time is at an end. I'm tired and need a rest, but I already miss you ladies. I miss the seniors whom I'll never get to coach again. I miss the opportunities to relive the whole wonderful running experience through your eyes. It's the Peter Pan in me, I suppose, that part of me that will never grow up.
I will break the numbers down tomorrow, at least a bit. For now I want to sit on this, absorb what it all means, and plan for the future. It's a bittersweet moment for sure - we did get a runner through (YAY!), but so many didn't make it.
For now, you are all welcome to come out and help Carrie get ready for next weekend. I know some of you will, some won't be able to make it, but I want to also let you all know you are welcome to go to Semi-State next weekend!
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