It's not always about knowing every single rule for each event. It's not always about knowing how to split times and remember every single athlete's personal record. It's not always knowing about the history of an event or even having a long personal history in the sport. I work with coaches who can do this and so much more, and I am in complete awe of their knowledge and compassion. It's a little overwhelming, and sometimes I wonder if these athletes are being coached by me at all.
But I've learned that coaching is sometimes letting the girls take selfies on my phone. Sometimes it's about letting athletes cry on my shoulder while I tell them that they deserve to be at the meet. Sometimes it's telling one of the best sprinters in the nation that his bronze medal is an accomplishment, not a loss. Sometimes it's cheering and yelling until my voice is raw. Sometimes it's challenging an athlete to be mentally tough. Sometimes it's getting back late at night and being completely exhausted the next day. Sometimes it's leading your girls in prayer with the other teams' girls before a race.
The parents have been instrumental in helping me realize these things. And while I'm trying to take away all the statistical knowledge I can from a distance-running standpoint as well as a sprinting, I'm also going to continue doing what I do because it's still coaching.
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