Ahhh Friday. No matter what, you always have a way of making me feel better about everything! :) I have entered back into the world of modern technology recently...SMARTPHONE! So happy to be back with my smartphone...however...it was kind of refreshing not to have one as well!
Laying in bed last night, while Aaron slept away next to me, I realized a little something about myself. And this may be why I am struggling currently in certain parts of my life...I am so used to always being good at something. I always had sports to fall back on...I excelled in the sports I participated in...and that made everything else I did worth it. I couldn't play sports if I didn't do well in school so that was my motivation. Now, what is my motivation??? I guess I want to feel great at something again and have that be my purpose for what I'm doing. I'm coaching..and my coaching relies on me being in school again...but it just doesn't feel the same as it did when I played.
The summer before I moved to Youngstown, I met up with a few of my aunts, cousins, mom, and sister to work out twice a week at mom and dad's pool. I felt like I was in heaven for this hour of working out with all of those wonderful women! I loved the feeling I got motivating them to push themselves past a point that they had never pushed themselves to before. I looked forward to those evenings every week, because I knew that the entire time I was there, I would thoroughly enjoy what I was doing and the people I was doing it with. I wanted to help them feel better about themselves, but I also wanted to kick their asses every night so that they could reach a goal they set for themselves. I am not sure if they actually reached their goals, but I know for a fact they felt better about themselves and were physically feeling better. Unfortunately, I left town, and they stopped. And I wish everyday that I could be back there still doing that with them. And not only did I enjoy motivating them, they motivated me to keep doing what I do in terms of keeping myself healthy. It was a win-win situation!
On a lighter note, I am getting my ass back outside and running! :) Oh cold weather how I hate you!!!! However, Youngstown has the best park to offer for a runner, Mill Creek! And I can't wait to go spend an hour or so in that beautiful place with just my running shoes and my thoughts! :) (oh ya and Aaron too! lol) Have a fabulous weekend! :) I know I will!!!!
This is probably the hardest thing..transitioning from athlete to life. I found this extremely difficult and sometimes still do. With athletics, especially where you are timed (immediate feedback) you always know exactly how you are doing and if you are doing well or not..which led to instant gratification similar to a high. Makes me wonder how normal ppl go through life without this feeling!
ReplyDeleteI also think finding something to focus on where you can do something you enjoy (races, competitions, etc.) will take that feeling of emptiness away, slightly.
I also don't know what coaching is like for you, but I have coached a specific group my first year of coaching and I really enjoyed having that control and sense of ownership but at YSU I had to find other things to make a difference in because I only write dryland and about two swim workouts a week. It's searching for the little things and trying to make a difference with that, and who knows, maybe coaching at a different university will feel different and will click with you or maybe you will find your niche in something else..sounds like training ppl ;) Keep searching!!