WHERE I HAVE BEEN…

Well, it’s been three weeks since the XC banquet. I thought that I would get on here and explain to some where I have been for those three weeks. As I mentioned during my talk at the end of the program; I knew that I would be out of touch for a while. I had hoped that it would be just for a week or likely two. As it turned out though, we lost my younger sister two weeks ago on the 16th, at this time in the morning. I suppose that I’m blogging this as a way to heal from it as well. Of the other 4 kids in the family, we were the closest, so it has been hard. I just haven’t wanted to talk with people much. I’ve seen a couple of people when I’ve been out and I put on my best act, but I’d rather shelter away. So now I’m attempting to “come out” and get back with it. I just want all of you to know that there were times during this past season when I may not have been as tolerant as I could have been. This was her 4th episode of cancer, she’d been on chemo for 4 1/2 of the last 5 years. This last September it came back, and this time it was back in her brain and all down the inside of her spinal column as well as the usual places. I know I used her as an example to the team as to what pain really is, still you have no idea. This was a challenging season for me. There were issues on my home front to cope with, and all of the usual distractions. You learn to expect that. Challenges make us stronger and help us to develop capability. The toughest thing was to coach at the regional when my sister was paralyzed from the waist down. To try to inspire at the state championship and guide our 3 runners when she was completely quadrapalegic and barely able to talk. Driving home from the state meet, speaking with her over the phone was the last time that I actually held a bit of a two way conversation with her. I want you all to know  I realize that I could have done a little better this year. I do believe that we had one of the best teams that West has ever seen, regardless of the outcome. What I am especially proud of is the team that you became. Yes there were things that needed to be straightened out, discipline asserted. Not bad though, that is expected, how else would you learn? I want to be certain that you all realize that I thought that this was easily one of our finest seasons. This team was probably one of the closest that we have had, and with twice the number of people. Tolerance and encouragement for your team mates was rampant. I think that I probably had more fun working with this team than with any other. It was really a pleasure, and right from the start! I want to thank this years’ seniors for doing a fine job, there was a lot of leadership from the top, and by example as well.To the underclassmen; I hope that you have been able to pick up on some of that. See some of the mistakes when they’re made and learn for our future. This team no doubt has the capability of becoming a powerhouse in the next couple of years if you will all step up and determine to do what it takes to accomplish that. It requires that you step up and push yourself, and by doing so you will inspire others on the team to do the same. That will in turn create an environment where you are running to inspire and encourage each other which is greater than doing it for yourself. Then my friends, you will have the ultimate team.That is what I want the most for all of you. I want you to be able to grow beyond yourself by experiencing a team environment that is exemplary. Then because of that energy level created within the group, you experience the success that can come with  a tight-knit organization that inspires each other to greater things. So, after this I will now be accessible. I will begin to answer the calls and e-mails that I received some time ago. I encourage you to contact me. Just realize why I’ve been out of it, and that I want to get with you now.I’ll be beginning to meet with anyone who wants to go for runs one day a week after school and I’ll post about that and the flexibility sessions at my place when I figure out the best times. Pass the word on about this post so that people realize what will be coming up, and I hope to be seeing you soon.    ZPS.  - The Record – Eagle dream team will be in the paper this weekend, and we are well represented on that!      _just so that you know- this site has run all of this together, and will not let me edit to try and put the spaces for paragraphs back in. It read much more easily as I had written it.

DIRECTIONS TO STATE MEET -> BANQUET INFO. IN ARCHIVES

HERE’S HOW I GET TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP:
GOTO 127 SOUTH
THRU LANSING & TO JACKSON
TURN LEFT (EAST) ON I-94 – TOWARD DETROIT
A COUPLE OF MILES UP ON I-94 YOU WILL FIND THE EXIT FOR 127 CONTIINUING SOUTH (RIGHT)
TAKE 127 AGAIN AND FOLLOW THAT 15 – 20 MILES TO “12″
TURN LEFT ON 12 (EAST) AND FOLLOW THAT 8 – 10 MILES TO 50 / BROOKLYN RD.
THE MIS WILL BE OBVIOUS ON THE LEFT FROM 12
TURN LEFT (NORTH) ON 50 AND FROM THERE GATE 11 IS TO BE USED BY ALL SPECTATORS.

NO FEE FOR PARKING
THERE ARE SHUTTLES THAT CAN TAKE YOU TO AND FROM THE PARKING,
ADMISSION IS $6.00 – CASH ONLY
NO PETS ALLOWED