Sometimes it IS about Winning On

Marty from ESPN was on the verge, wetness was creeping up into his eyes, but being the professional sportscaster he is, somehow managed to dam them up.  he'd taken a special liking to Olivia.  Hearing here story of being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, fighting through chemo and continuing her training just to be at the World Games, had won his heart.  He' followed her successes and challenges From opening ceremonies through this chapter today.

A couple nights ago Olivia, who lives and trains outside Milwaukee, had told us she just didn't want another round of chemo, it hurt, it made her sick and so tired.  In her hand was a small clump of hair, which had started to fall out again.  It was just too hard.  It was tough to her her talk like that. Damn.

She is Wisconsin's fastest female Special Olympic sprinter.  Last fall I was amazed at her running form, something difficult to teach but had that came natural to her.  She'd run sub :16 second 100s then. Here, now, at the World Games, she was having a tough time keeping her times below :19.  And she knew it.  Olivia expressed her tired disappointment in knowing girls she should beat, now are finishing much further ahead.

In Special Olympics, athletes compete in a divisioning round first, where they get a pre-lim time and before finals, are seeded into groups of like ability athletes.  Olivia would be in a slower division than usual.  Cancer had taken her speed.  Even warm ups for her races were a huge effort for her and for us that have know her, to watch.  She kept at it however.

The  track was hugely busy Thursday, a lot of our athletes had events and the afternoon session was capped by the 100 meter dash females.  Cream of the crop sprinters.  SO USA has a big field of girls in that event- a lot to get warmed up, off to staging, race and then a long wait for awards.  Olivia would race later in the day.

I try to help get athletes ready for events when I can. Other coaches have sprint groups, distance runners or throwers they regularly prepare here- they are great in what they do and I just jump in when needed.  Sometimes as head coach, I'm running around crazy putting out fires for this and that, but inside I'm still a track coach and I wanna work with athletes .  Olivia and the rest of the sprinters were warming up in the field behind the stadium.  Of all the girls running the drills, she looked weakest. I think all of us were worried in our minds and hearts about how she would do on the track.

The girls I had to warmup were now in the staging area. Olivia already had a seat and was waiting her turn to run.  The track complex is big and I finally made my way around to the grandstand to catch a few of the heats of runners.  We had a lot, so I Just wanted to hopefully see a few rounds.

Almost all of our team and coaches were in attendance cheering on their teammates. The crowd was loud.  A new heat was getting set at the far end of the track for their start- I could see a blue uniform of SO USA on the starting line, Breana maybe?  Gun is up, set, bang!

The fastest runner is always in the middle of the field, slower ones on the outside.  From the gun, a girl way outside blasted out of the start, my first thought was she is too fast to be in this division. Wait-it's Olivia! I hadn't realized she was in this heat, and by mid point the race was over, she'd destroyed the field. A gold medal would be hung from her neck. The score board lit up with :16.7, a time she hadn't been close to since before chemo. The crowd who knew her story went crazy, tears flowed.

The night before, Olivia told her coach she was going to win. She was going to get the gold for all those women who have breast cancer. She did.

On this day, it was about winning.

Keith

It's rare that a selected World Games athlete is replaced on a team, but unfortunately we had that happen earlier this year.  What I felt would be our star runner on the team turned out to not have the commitment to achieve his potential, or be a good example of what a SO athlete is.  Our coaching staff was terribly disappointed.  Missteps along the way and a lack of training effort finally made the decision to cut him loose my only choice.

SO USA does have in place alternates who can come in and replace someone on the team.  At the time, we quickly found another athlete from the same state, who could step in-an unknown commodity perhaps, but from all accounts, he could be a good fit. Keith is a sprinter. Short fast bursts of speed his specialty.  That would be a good fit, but our quota spot also called for a 400 runner in a relay, not exactly something he excelled at.  We'd make it work.

Fast forward to pre-camp last week.  My first impression was he really didn't seem to have the drive to be successful in the upcoming games.  A bit lack lackadaisical at first and a lot of reminders from all of the coaches during practices.  There was, however, a glimmer of something special in there.  Days 2 and 3 of precamp gradually saw Keith improve in both his performance and attitude.  Just maybe he would surprise us.

Jumping ahead to this day.  Day one of finals. During his prelim races earlier in the week, he showed speed...just enough to win every heat he entered. Kind of a catch-me-if-you-can sort of thing. Okay, so this guy does have the goods.  Even in his 400 leg of the relay, he put up a time that we guessed we could run.

Keith stood proud as a peacock on the podium. All other runners in his division surrounding the Arkansaw runner on both sides.  He'd earned gold.  That natural speed and desire to win, played out well in his race.

 For a painfully shy young man, he said all he needed on the track in front of screaming spectators and his teammates.  Wow, just wow.

No News is Good News?

The coffee shop is maybe just three blocks away- on the edge of not the best part of LA.  USC starts here and although the campus is beautiful and well manicured, these boarder neighborhoods are not.  the cops warned to not venture far here. Coffee calls however,and it's necessary to venture out before the team is up and moving.

A small hispanic man is behind a glass window munching on a donut while making its replacement. I find a styrofoam cup, fill it and take satisfaction that it costs half of what Starbucks does across the street.  The TV blares in the corner above the security camera.....something about Tom Brady destroying his cell phone.  Wonder what's up with that? Well, I don't give it a lot of thought I guess.  There was something about a Disney roller coaster malfunction and an earthquake near Anchorage.  Exiting the building I realized I know nothing about what's going on "out there."  We don't see news, or at least I'm out of the loop, and just too busy with my own little dramas to care.  It's an insulation of sorts being here and almost a releif.   No Scott Walker BS, no worries of what my state is doing to my state, no updates to some Middle East crisis.

It's not bad having no news.   I think I'll just appreciate this little break from what's out there that I don't know about.

Scary Stuff

There are  a lot of challenges for a Special Olympics World Game coach, but none compare to having a missing athlete.  It's the one thing we as coaches are insanely anxious about.  Yes, we're all like mother hens when it comes to our athletes.  We are constantly counting heads, shuffling them together, with an ever watchful eye on them.    Sometimes however, all that vigilance still isn't enough.

I arrived back to the dorm from a long day at the track and a foolish head coaches meeting-do World Games coaches really need a tutorial in long jump scratches? Sheeeesh.  We'd had an athlete go down with an injury after her race, so there was concern over how she was doing-plus, they had transportation problems getting her back.  All that changed in an instant when I found out an athlete had skipped going to her room, while coaches moved the hurt athlete up an elevator.  Red flags go out immediately  and we started sweeping the labyrinth of nooks, crannies and stairwells of the 3 story dorm complex.  Coaches with athletes on campus were asked back to help look.  I did multiple sweeps of floors and the onsite security helped.

My cell binged a message-she was found. Another coach located her hiding place and a collective sigh of relief was felt by all of us.  We're not in the best neighborhood of LA, so during the search I feared she may have slipped past someone.  She's not a runner, but rather was upset about something and made a poor choice.  She's tucked away sleeping now, but we'll remain concerned as the days move forward with more eyes on her at all times.  World Games can be trying to athletes-it's tiring, stressful and they are away from home.  Sometimes parent visits make matters worse, but usually this all improves and it ends up being a great experience for everyone.  That may be our biggest challenge.

Protests

I swear I don't ask for this.  What was planned on being a simple (yet unbelievably hectic) day at the track changed with the very first shot of the starting pistol.

Usually we have our ASM (Asst. sports manager) hold down the fort in the stadium where the SO USA team has our home base.  Athletes can rest there, watch competition, and get ready for the next event. Our day was crazy, so I took over that duty-or so I thought.  The 10,000 meter race is the second longest and we had 3 athletes running right away in the coolness of the morning (cool for California).  25 laps on a track-ouch, usually 10ks are run on the road.  Our 2 coaches were diligent in count laps and taking splits.  About midway, our runners looked good-Karen in 2nd, and Alex and Josh sitting in at 2nd and 3rd place in their divisions.  Josh seemingly had difficulty with the warming day and pulled off the the track after making a good pass on a Mexican runner.  Alex followed suit. Those placings remained for the remainder of the race until......officials pulled off the Mexican runner one lap early!  Now results show Alex in 2nd!

Red flag for me-as head coach I need to file a protest within 1/2 hr of results being posted.  Leaving my post at camp, I ran to the sports desk to fill out the appropriate paperwork.  I wasn't the first coach there.  6 Protests from different countries were files-not  just on our incident, but several others in including Canada, who had their athlete pulled 4 laps too early!  No one waited for results to be posted (which never were this day).

My description of the race was penned quickly on the official form and it was slipped into a stack of paper for all other coaches-I felt my argument had a chance. Nope. Denied. A hand written reply stated that our runner and the Mexican did the same number of laps and results would stand.

Crap.  It's hard to rectify anything after that point.  Canada's was denied as well.  They would appeal and encouraged me to do the same.  I do.  At this point a jury of appeals should be convened and the facts looked at.  Nothing changed, awards were handed out (and to add insult to injury, Alex was redivisioned and ended up 4th!  So what should have been a gold medal was now a 4th place ribbon.  Try explaining this who scenario to the parents.  You can't.

These things happen and it's the most frustrating because it's not far to the athlete who has worked so hard to be here and do their best.  It's not over-as I sit here in the dark, I'll be emailing the jury, which we believe was never brought together to look at our appeals.  Stay tuned.

Eventually I did resume my post at our "camp" but it seemed like I didn't get to watch many races-always running around putting out little fires it seemed.  My assistant coaches are the best and they cover each other so well.  Athletes are awesome and remain the "go-with-the-flow" attitude.  It's much appreciated.

I anticipated the daily head coaches meeting may be a bit fiery with all that happened, but it really wasn't.  There was a huge problem with athletes staying in their lanes for the 100 meter dash because of difficult track markings, but no matter the questions for the head coaches (yes, including that American coach-me) our logical arguments to fix the situation (for the sake of the athletes) was ignored.  The HC meetings are really a joke-they turn into loud uninformative wastes of time.  I leave it feeling disappointed.

Although it was a super long day, and I'd miss a shower after the long day and just meet the team for dinner, it went well in the end.  Lot's of our athletes had  great performances, and although not everything was fair, I tried not to let it sour the first full day of competition.

For me, after a semi-cold diner at the dining hall with the team, it was rush back, do 2 loads of laundry, clean up and conduct a meeting with the athletes and later one detailing our next day with the coaching staff.  Long day, but we got it done.

Today starts easier-fewer of our team start the day, but it'll be full bore later with 100s and 200s....and hopefully my pen will stay tucked away from any official paperwork.

Moving Day

Hugs and t-shirts were exchanged, final good byes said and finally we all started turning away from the beautiful UCR track and the friends we had made there. The college track team maybe didn't know what to expect there when we arrived earlier last week, but maybe we didn't either. College track athletes were part some of the volunteers who joined us each day helping with drills, setting up gear or anything we needed. Not sure any of them have ever worked with Special Olympics athletes. By the time we were through with them, I'm sure they will again.

Our athletes really appreciated them (and their coach Dan). It didn't take long for a bond to begin and for the Riverside athletes to return each day to help-I think they were hooked. Funny how that sometimes happens and how each of us starts our journey in SO. Nearly everyone, at some point can say they started with one volunteer job. I think it's a good place to begin.

We had 3 great days of practice on the track here-just what we needed to get ready for the games-we were so lucky, great facility, great college to stay at and wonderful weather (for California). But, this day is moving day, gathering up everything and heading to LA and the University of Southern California. That would be our home base for the rest of the games.

Moving 480 people is no small task, and there are always hiccups. The bus drive wasn't bad at all (I wonder how people put up with the traffic!). The campus loomed ahead as we snaked the coach bus through a few city blocks to our dorm complex. Other busses were off loading and luggage looked like small hills along the sidewalk. It didn't appear that everything was moving like clockwork, so it was chill out in the bus time waiting. No credentials, no room keys, so we wait. At least it was air conditioned.

At some point, everything was off loaded, roller duffles in rooms and the chaos subsiding. I needed to huff it to my head coaches meeting across campus, and the rest of the team headed out to find the dining hall. It would be hours until we were all together again for a quick meeting and rundown of the following day which includes competition and opening ceremonies (more on that later).

For now, a short nights sleep has me a few minutes from departing to start our first day on the track for divnisioning. This will be a very long day with OC tonight until midnight I'd guess. It'll be exciting, emotional, and a memory for everyone on the team. Time to get this started.....

Thousand of Miles

A couple thousand miles-not sure how far exactly, but it's very far today. Distance can grow or shrink I've found, depending on life's circumstances. Always been like that. The World Games keeps a coach away for two weeks everytime there is that commitment to take on the job. It's the same for athletes, but maybe not with as much “real world” consequences as with the coaching staff.

A call from back home reveled good and not so good news. A new grandson would be arriving to this world by the end of the week-not so long overdue, but for daughter Tenley, (and her doctor) it was time. Grant would be welcomed into our lives by Saturday. I'd hoped that he would be born before I left for LA so I could meet that little bugger, but he was in no rush and happy apparently where he was. I resigned myself to see pictures of him until I get back in another week and half. He will be a joy and his big brother will wonder what just happened to his happy 3 person family, now four.

The sad news from all those miles away, was that my mother in law Janet had made a turn for the worse in Hospice. I think it surprised everyone how quickly her health deteriorated. Just a few days ago, we had been busy moving her things from one apartment to her room and cleaning out her home. I felt terrible. Friends and family were told to maybe come visit as soon as they could. My family needed support and I was a long way away and could do nothing to help. We don't choose the timing of these things, the precious or the disheartning, they just happen.

I'm here in California, with a great team under my direction-they are performing well in training and getting their World Games legs under them before Opening Ceremonies. For us, we need to be at a high level of energy at all times-so much to do seemingly every second of the day. The air was taken out of my sail by this sad news. I called back home as often as I can to just talk, to see how everyone was doing and offer my thoughts and prayers-about all I can really do. Circle of life thoughts went through my mind constantly-so much joy on one hand and concern on the other.

It's been a couple days since that call and things have remained the same on both fronts, still no new baby and mom has not improved. We just have hope day by day. The athletics team has been great, assistant coaches have stepped in when I have been less that energetic and offer their help in anyway. We have so much to do everyday and maybe being so busy helps me in some way.

The World Games will go on no matter what happens to each of us on the team or anyone from the 170 countries here about to walk on stage to the official start. There will be great achievements and disappointments, tears of joy and sadness. That is how it is in Special Olympics. This is how it is in life as well, no matter how we wish it were different or no matter how many miles there are between us.

Chicks in the Roost

Some muffled talk managed to sneak through the cracks of the dorm room door as I walked by.  Some of the athletes hadn't surrendered to the tiredness they should have by now.  They've had long days of travel to get here.  Excitedness overwhelms the fatigue I guess.  They are all glad to see each other again.  I made the comment at our coaching staff meeting that it seems like they all just saw each other yesterday (and it's been 10 months).  I'm tired and some of me is still on Wisconsin time.  I give in and crawl into the bunk.

For a head coach it's always a relief to get all the chicks in the nest. Buses made the two hour trip from San Diego and continually rolled into UCR where the management staff scurried to unload all gear and move the the arrivals to rooms and medical and any other check ins needed.  Coaches met up with the athletes from earlier buses and busied themselves with organizing the team.

A team dinner, with all 480 0f us would top off the day and I'd put it all to rest with a quick team meeting and orders to hit the hay.  We would start today at 6:00am. On track at 7:00.  Track coaches want to coach track, so it'll be a good thing to finally get feet out there on the beautiful facility at Riverside.

Voices this morning are not so muffled like last night through the doors. Today they are excited.  Excited as I am to have them all here.

Day 1...and a half

Still on Wisconsin time, so my internal clock set of at 2:15 am.  Too bad, because I didn't sleep much-typical old dorm room, light streaming in from an outside parking lot.  Not ideal, but We all (coaches and athletes) will be fine.  Sports managers, head coaches and management team arrived yesterday.  Settling in and renewing old friendships I've made over the years within Special Olympics.  This is number 7 for me and I feel privileged to be selected again.

Rooms are at UC Riverside and must have slept 3 to a room during the school year.  A homemade "loft" has 2 twin beds and the "lower level" has a bed and 3 desks.  Tight quarters to be sure.  We will have 2 to a room when athletes arrive today.

We inspected the track here, where we'll practice the next  3 days and it is a beauty. Only (old) track coaches can appreciate such things.  It's as good as any olympic track I've seen. 

Management team dinner last night at UCR alumni center and long meeting going thru logistics of the entire team (480) arriving today.  It'll be some craziness here getting moved in.  Our week is officially call "Pre-Games" as opposed to "Host town" like the other 170 countries from around the world have.  It's almost better for us-we control our schedule and allow for more practice time.  The city of Riverside (380,000) has set up a parade and american BBQ and concert tomorrow night-not too stressful.  We built in down time every afternoon which is great.  Thursday we hit Newport beach for some activities and then Friday, pack up and move to LA and USC for the official start of the games.  Moving a group this size is always a challenge!

The lobby here at the dorm is deserted except for the cleaning lady-I don't mind....it'll soon be hectic, stressful, hot, fun tiring and just what I came her for.
-Steve