Yesterday it hit me that I have some semi-big decisions to make. Soon. In my last post I wrote all these random questions about things I have been wondering about lately. And the biggest ones being "Should I go to El Salvador this summer(/am I healthy enough to go to El Salvador)?" and "Should I coach Cross Country in the fall(/am I healthy enough/can I coach a running sport without actually running)?" And it has struck me once again that it is time to make these decisions. Now.
Pros and cons lists have never really helped me that much - I can honestly think of just as many cons as I can pros for these situations/decisions. I think the biggest question is can I be a Cross Country coach and NOT run with the girls? And what if I can't even bike with them? Can I still be a coach? Well....I did it last season (or, practically all season...I hurt my back a few weeks into September), so why not do it again? The other thing is - can I coach XC and not go to the running camp we're holding this summer for our team? Last summer was a blast - I got to lead worship and have late night talks with my girls - all while NOT running, because I had a sprained ankle....
I found out that the El Salvador trip is the exact same week as XC camp this summer. And actually, the group going to El Salvador might be going even a little earlier and staying a little later to take a Spanish language course and travel more. Here's how I see it:
Option a) Agree to coach XC with the understanding I will not be running and may not even be able to bike, but will be able to encourage, lead, be there, etc. Go to XC camp instead of El Salvador, lead worship, lead my girls, and probably have a good time. Problem: I don't know how my body will feel. Will I be able to take it easy even as a coach?
Option b) Agree to coach XC with the understanding I will not be running, etc. AND go to El Salvador/not go to camp. The other coaches will most likely have to find another (few?) female leader(s) to be chaperones since I would not be there. But when I come back - coach. (and possibly experience added chronic pain?)
Option c) Decide not to coach XC since I have chronic pain and coaching could (but maybe won't) make it worse. Go to El Salvador and feel no guilt or regret from missing anything (although....I'd still be missing camp....and...coaching....) Come back from El Salvador and be pumped for teaching Spanish without the stress of coaching every day after school and often having 2 meets a week.
Option d) Decide that maybe, since I have had added stress this past school year with the newness of chronic pain and a brand new teaching position, I should just stay in California this summer (with, of course, a trip to Boston to see Baby K and a trip to MN because...why not?) My time is my own - no 7am practices, no camps, no stressful out-of-country travel...but... possibly miss coaching and El Salvador like crazy.
Any advice??
1 comment:
Hey Al,
Just thinking after reading your post. What if you did not commit to being an actual "coach" of the girls this year BUT still go to a few practices to cheer them on and as many track meets as you can to cheer them on. It sounds like they need chaperones for the camp, you could play that by ear (maybe by being a volunteer not a "coach") along with El Salvador. When the time comes to make the decision to either chaperone at the camp, or go to El Salvador, you might be ready to make the choice. I was just thinking of a different way than what you had mentioned, this would leave you less committed but still willing to help in all ways that you can. Just a thought! Love ya! KT
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