“What was the last thing you fixed or built?”
The last thing that I built that I am proud of was a swim team. I was flattered, excited, and nervous when I accepted the job as head swim coach of a local team. I had years of teaching and coaching experience at all levels, but I had never been a head swim coach. This title brought with it a whole new level of responsibility. I was completely in charge and I could build this team in any way that my heart desired.
I was nervous because it was a new role for me and the last coach had been with the team for 5 years. I was honored to take her place, but also recognized that I would have big shoes to fill. I also knew from experience that the swimmers would miss her. On her last day she kept on talking about how much the kids would miss her and when I asked her if she was going to come visit she said: “probably not because most of them are going to quit when I leave.” Her remark was hurtful, but I did my best to let it go and try not to take it personally. That honestly was one of my fears: that the kids would leave. I took it as a challenge and wanted to be the best coach that I could possibly be.
I put a lot planning and thought into it and wrote down my goals and objectives as head coach:
I continued the tradition of my coaching journal and planned out every workout ahead of time. I focused on technique, injury prevention, good sportsmanship and fun. I also did my best to start every workout with dry-land where we did squats, sit-ups, push-ups, core strength and stretches. I wanted my swimmers to be strong and multi-faceted as individuals.
I loved my swimmers and the time we had together. It made my day to see their smiling faces. A highlight of my coaching career was running our first swim meet. I signed my swimmers up for their events, reserved the pool space, ordered balloons and rubber duckies, got parent support and volunteers, and typed out a heat sheet listing the order of events. It was extra-special because both of my parents came to watch and support me and my boyfriend (bless his heart) was the announcer/MC of the entire event. At the end of the swim meet I awarded each swimmer with a personalized certificate and a superhero or mermaid rubber ducky. To Top it all off, we finished the event 45 minutes ahead of schedule!!! It definitely was a swim meet/event to remember!
Being head coach of a swim team helped me to learn and grow in many ways. I never thought that I would give it up. In fact, I was in the middle of planning our next swim meet when I made the decision to begin a new chapter in my life. I think my swim team has come up frequently in my blog especially lately because I miss it. For the past 5 years my life has been fully immersed in and around the swimming pool. I have coached swim team, taught swim lessons, cleaned and maintained swimming pools, life guarded, and taught the lifeguarding class. In fact I am still life guarding just in a different capacity. I know that my skills in and around the pool are solidly strong. I could stay in the swimming pool, but I do not want to be stuck there. Swimming is a very practical skill and helping others to learn how to swim is rewarding, but I want to diversify and expand my skills.
The pool deck is my comfort zone. When I left, I decided it was time for me to leave my comfort zone and challenge myself. It is honestly Scary. I have even caught myself depending on coffee and caffeine for energy and coping with junk food, sugar, and lack of exercise. I know that when I am stressed of overwhelmed I cope with eating. I have done it in the past and I have been doing it these past three months. I am making the definite decision right here and now to change. I know where those habits lead and it is not a path I want to continue on. I deserve to be healthy, strong, and full of energy. In order to feel healthy and strong I need to change.
I am more conscious of my choices which is good. Today I chose green tea with honey even though I really wanted to get a rich and creamy coffee. So that is a better choice, but I will not leave out the fact that I bought a box of donuts. I didn’t resist when I could have. I drove past my dad’s favorite donut shop and I rarely spend much time in this area so I had to stop. I also could have gotten half a dozen donuts, but I got a full dozen instead. I feel guilty about it. I know that my boyfriend and I want to lose weight and get in shape and this box of donuts is not going to help, but I will make it a last time in a long time. Also, we don’t have to eat all of them.
Now that I have spent some time reflecting on the last thing I fixed and built; I am going to decide what my next project will be.
MY NEXT PROJECT IS ME. I want to build a strong and healthy body and a beautiful and intelligent mind. I have made some good changes like working a job that is full-time and begins earlier in the day. I am also in school studying computer science. I want to capitalize on these opportunities to learn. My boyfriend is currently hard at work and he let me borrow his beloved laptop to study. Now that I am all caught up with blogging I will dedicate the next few hours to studying, learning, and coding.
What was the last thing that you fixed or built and what is your next project? I am looking forward to hearing from you! Thanks for stopping by!
Peace, Love, and Blessings Always,
Alana Xoxoxo
I’m also a former swimmer and swim coach in a different phase of life. I think we will always remain addicted to chlorine! I’m now a swim mom and it’s fun to be on this side as well. I still miss coaching though!
It’s great to hear from another swimmer/coach. I think that swimmers are the happiest people. I worked at the front desk of a gym as the opener for awhile and the happiest people were always the swimmers! Thanks for stopping by! xoxo.
Reblogged this on Living Out Loud.