As much as I hate to admit it and try to deny it, I am a small town girl. How can I not be when I have returned to my roots? After graduating from college and getting married, I settled in that small town and returned to my school and began coaching track. Last year was my sixth year coaching. I have watched boys and girls become young men and women. This past fall at a football game I saw one of my former students with her husband. Wow!
Yesterday I made a bold decision. I resigned my coaching position. I cried A LOT. I love that school. I love the other coaches I can now call my friends. I love the kids. But, things have changed rapidly at the school and I felt like my role had become obsolete. Until last year it was just me coaching the distance runners. This past season I had a staff. Midway through the season I saw things from the outside and realized I wasn't doing anything. The new cross country coaches don't even know who I am. Doesn't that seem problematic? Track meetings have been held without me. Shouldn't I be part of the decision making?
Truth be told, I wanted to quit a year ago. I had coached a girl all the way to state and she was my first who would be running competitively in college. I had achieved what I set out to do. But, there were other people I had been coaching for a few years that I wanted to see through to their final season. Really, though, won't there always be somebody to see through?
Resigning this position is bittersweet. It's the first and only job I have loved. There are new adventures to have, though, and it's time to look forward without regret.
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3 comments:
Wow! I think I remember you starting to consider that a few years ago. That must have been a HUGE decision for you. Good for you for just doing it and not looking back. It seems I'm always second-guessing myself, and I admire others who don't do that!
Michelle
(I keep having problems signing in, so that's why I've had to comment as anonymous recently.)
I hope you enjoy the freedom you'll have from coaching. Maybe you'll get to take some awesome pictures of the teams and support them in an entirely different way!
Wow, I have been delinquent on blog running.. sorry to only stumble upon this now. That's a huge decision to make... I'm glad you know you've made a difference in some kids' lives (think of the girls you ran the half with in the Spring), but I'm also glad you're doing what you know is best for you..
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