things I love about being a track coach

For those countless readers of this fine blog who may not know, I am a track coach at King's Junior High. I was sort of hesitant as the season approached but it has ended up being one of the favorite parts of my day. Why do I love it? Let me explain in a helpful list:

- I get to stand outside the track and yell whatever I want at my 40 sprinters. I have a grab bag of things like "keep those arms moving", "that's not a full sprint", "hustle", etc...

- During away meets, I get to sit at the front of the bus in my own seat while everyone else has to sit with a buddy. Keep in mind, that buddy might be stinky on the way home depending on how hard they worked.

- I get to wear rain boots when it's raining while my students have to wear athletic shoes

- I get called coach. Who wouldn't love this? It implies that I know what I'm doing. Most of the time I'm totally faking.

- I get to spend an extra two hours with 100 7th/8th graders. This is not a bad thing. They get to know me in a context outside of the classroom which provides some evidence that I do exist beyond Geography.

- i never ever have to run if I don't want to. and I don't ever want to.