I hate my coach
He calls it the “3 & 2 Minute VO2 intervals and 30-30′s.” It was the workout I did last night. It left me clawing for my next breath!
I don’t know about you, but I was somewhat of a stubborn, rebellious son. For the most part I kept just enough out of trouble to be thought of as a relatively good child. However, I definitely had my issues and looking back, I cringe as I think of what I put my parents through!
My parents loved me very much. They loved me enough to set boundaries and expected proper behavior from me. In an odd sort of way, it gave me an amount of security to push against the walls. Deep down inside I knew that the love would always be there.
Of course, that didn’t always show on the surface! In my immaturity there were often times when on the inside I would yell, “I hate you!” Probably, I may have done the same out loud. They were causing me to feel uncomfortable. I wasn’t getting my way. I didn’t like it!
Looking back I know that even then I knew I was wrong. I knew that what my parents did was because they loved me and they were teaching me discipline and self-control. The easy way out for them was to just let me have my own way. They loved me too much to do that. So, they took my verbal and emotional slaps and kept loving me… but not giving in.
You probably know where I am headed. Now, I’m not saying that my coach, Jim Cunningham, loves me! I am saying that he has an end goal in mind. He knows what type of discipline and suffering I need to experience to succeed.
So, as I was finishing my final set of 30-30′s after a hard hour on the bike, I may have been spitting out between gritted teeth, “I hate you, Jim Cunningham!” I didn’t really mean it. Sometimes the suffering just calls for an object at which to direct the overflow of pain.
I’m far from perfect today, but I can say that much of what character I have was nurtured in me by my parents. The times of pain and discipline helped make me. Now that I am more mature (at least a little bit) I recognize the love of my parents more and more… and I am amazed that they kept me!
No doubt as I look back over this season, I’ll be thanking Jim. Not only has he laid out the plan that has brought me this far, he has also held me accountable and made me do hard things. I can say without hesitation that I would not put myself through what I have gone through since November if I didn’t know I had to tell Jim whether I did it or not.
It isn’t really Jim that I hate. It is the suffering. However, someday when I feel that rush of crossing the finish line first… I’ll love it!
Tags: Coaching, Jim Cunningham
Discipline is a strange animal – we all want it, need it, and improve from it, but… we usually hate it:) Rebelling is human nature, but the strongest have internal discipline…
What a great message! Accountability is an amazing thing when working toward a specific goal. It can either motivate us and make us feel great as we near the goal, or feel horrible and guilt ridden when we aren’t doing what we should. It is definitely a reflection of character. You’re commitment to your family, your training, your community, your work and your blog are very inspiring. I often wonder how you balance it all, but I’m glad you do. Thank you for sharing.