I've been thinking about coaching a lot. It's a big part of what I do. In this particular season, it's my only job. I think when you've got a certain level of expertise in what you want to do (I'm talking about running) it's perfectly acceptable to coach yourself. The kids I coach need a coach. They need me (or anyone who has run at a decently high level) to pass on the information of what works and doesn't, and what running hard ENOUGH feels like. I don't feel that a just anyone can do this job. In my situation, my high schoolers are coached by two guys that have been around the block and aren't feeding the kids a bunch of bad ideas. Personally though, I can't seem to coach myself very well. I've always performed best with a couple guys of similar ability to train with and a knowledgeable coach to keep things organized. I think I can almost do as good a job as college level coaches in designing workouts, et cetera, but I have yet to grow out of the group-training-with-coach-yelling mindset, or whatever it is. I should though.

This is all coming from particularly unfortunate workout this morning. While I was running, the high school team nearby was having their practice. They are a powerhouse team, and their boys team has to has at least 50 kids on it. I think I will always miss being a part of a team like that. Cross Country is the best team sport in the world. I have always said that it is also the best spectator sport in the world, and it seems as if that's my role now.