The "Q" Word

Do you ever reach the point where you want to just throw in the towel, wipe your hands clean, and call it quits? Oh, I've certainly been there many times! Now, it's Brittany's turn to be faced with these difficult questions. Care to lend me an ear?

As I mentioned before, Brittany's cross country/track coach was let go back in the fall. A new coach was hired a few months ago. Since that time, things have gone rapidly downhill and I think we've reached a breaking point. When the former coach left, it caused a MAJOR division on the team. I can't go into all the details, but several of the girls were very bitter that he got let go and blamed other girls on the team for it happening. Needless to say, with Brittany being the newbie, she got tossed in the middle and made to feel as though she had to pick sides. She has tried her best to remain neutral.

Well, since the coach's departure, 5 girls have quit the team and about that many guys. Two of the girls left just yesterday, only 2 days after their first track meet of the season. I must be honest, I saw it coming. Brittany has been keeping me well informed of everything that's been going on; we just didn't see it happening that quickly.

Brittany has been pretty unhappy with the new coach since Day 1. I have learned that she's not the only one...everyone on the team feels the same way. They are required to practice every single day, including weekends, at 6:45 AM, then they have afternoon practices everyday, as well, from 3:00-5:30 PM. He even makes them practice for 2 hours on the morning they leave for meets, which is usually 10 AM. They have no days off and no days to recover. This is quite a change from the way the other coach ran the program. All the runners are completely exhausted and burned out. They have to follow this strict schedule and, also, keep up with their schoolwork. They truly have no time left to catch up on their rest, much less have any kind of social life. It's as though their coach has made running the #1 priority. Now, I completely understand that they're getting paid to run, but at the same time, their rigorous schedule has caused these runners to lose their love for the sport...it's become a drudgery.

All of the team is going in as a unified group this afternoon to talk to the coach. Brittany has talked to him by herself already, but nothing changed. He told her the main reason he's scheduled early morning practices is so they won't stay out late. I'm sorry, but that's what college kids do! They have their entire lives ahead of them to work and to meet deadlines. It's as though the coach is denying them the opportunity to make the most of their college experience. Chris and I would hate to see her running career come to an end like this, but we simply cannot have her be miserable. She has never been a quitter with anything she's decided to do and we've always taught our girls that once you start something, finish it. However, I think she's come to a crossroads where she's asking herself if it's really worth the pain and heartache to continue on. Whatever she decides to do, she has our full support.

If you would, say a prayer for Brittany that God will give her some direction in this matter. I love this quote and think it's very fitting for the situation we're facing right now.

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."~Bessie Anderson Stanley~

So, it's not about the trophies and ribbons or record-breaking moments that define you a person. It's the happiness you've attained in yourself...and nurtured in others that makes the difference.