2005 Tip #15:
Inspired!

A few days ago, I participated in an event that left me inspired.  This was the occasion of the Pittsburg High School Track Team end of season awards dinner.  It was the youthful energy and enthusiasm and optimism of these athletes that got me pumped up.  These 60 track athletes motivated me to re-focus my own goals and better dedicate myself to the steps to get there. Some of the team are “veterans” – the seasoned, graduating seniors, some are new-comers to the sport with three more years to enjoy it.  While I was asked to say a few words as the guest speaker, by head track coach Phil Webb, it was THEIR attitude and words that lifted me up.

I asked if they had a fun season.  A big “YES” they replied, with much clapping and boisterous vocal response.  Asked if they had improved and met most of their goals.  Another big “YES” and round of clapping and affirmation.  My good friend Phil – who inspired me in my first year as his assistant track coach at Pacific High School in 1973, had told me that each athlete had set new PRs (Personal Records) this season.  Many had achieved and set new PRs. Their training and focus paid off in the last weeks of the season.

I shared some of my usual “coach” thoughts. The importance of dreaming and following your dreams, thinking big and far out, setting goals – near term and long range, believing in yourself, and never quitting.  I related the Jesse Owens story – proving Hitler’s racist assumptions wrong while capturing 4 gold medals in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.  I quoted Jesse – “Everyone has got to have goal of where they want to go.”  I shared how writing my goals down and keeping focused has always helped me in everything I do – in my work and in my training to stay in shape or to race.

And, of course, I recognized and praised their own team heroine who just broken the school record and won the State Girls Discus Champion title last Saturday.  Alexaree Toeaina worked hard for four years, with keen focus and determination, to reach this awesome goal. 

I shared the Natalie Coughlin story – about a swimmer from a high school in neighboring Concord, just a few miles away – who has made a bit of history breaking 35 national records, 5 world records and winning 5 medals in the last Olympics.  Despite injury and set backs, Natalie continued with her long, incredibly long hours of training.  She held on to her dreams and kept moving forward despite adversities.

I let them know that Natalie joined us in January in the Capitol for this New Year’s kickoff of our Wellness Task Force efforts, speaking out for a healthier California!

Finally, I commended the athletes – and their parents and coaches – for what they had accomplished and for their being role models of fitness at a time when most of our California youth are not fit.

The students then were asked each and everyone to share what they learned during the track season. This is where their words, positive attitude and sincerity touched me so deeply:

“Hard work and dedication gets you there.”

“Perseverance works.”

“I put my all into it and PR-ed.”

“Never give up!”

“If you trip, pick yourself up and get going.”

“Always work hard.”

“Keep on pushing.”

“Running takes a lot of willpower.”

“Keep on working; your time will get faster.”

“To get better, you got to hurl.”

No quotes from famous authors this week – these athletes say it perfectly well!