August, for an elite athletes' mom, is the culmination of a years training building to six months of routine work and culminating with two months of perfecting routines that -- from a moms view -- are already perfect. August is the month that you don't breathe in the gym for fear of a rolled ankle, a tweaked shoulder, a hyper-extended elbow or an achy back. August -- is -- Champonships of the USA (except in an Olympic year). The biggest, baddest, loudest, most important meet of their season - and if it's their first year - of their career.
Working in the gym, I watched seven athletes train, seven sets of parents worry, and two coaches and twelve fellow teammates plan, cheer, growl and generally prepare for an outcome they know to be as secure as shifting sand. The only control these kids, coaches and parents have is preparation. They can train - they train like they are competing (or compete like they train), and train like the champions they aspire to be.
I also watched our 3 graduated seniors prepare for their last month of gym. One of these young women is my daugher, so it was exceptionally poignant for me. Lloimincia returned for one last session this summer before her permanant move to LSU. She looked awesome with her new hair and ripped down physique. Chelsea had a couple of hiccups in training due to an "unhealed" surgery, but was very adamant about working her tkatchev and overshoots with Chris before she left for Georgia. Our last chick to fly the coop was Christina Navarro. Christina got a last minute nod from Centenary in Louisiana, to come to school and train on their team. We sent her off with a small party and best wishes; and that hug on her last day put us both in tears. All three of these girls/women leave big holes in our universe.
August is also the beginning of the compulsory season for our little girls. They donned their beautiful new leotards and warm ups (truly beautiful) and marched out on that first competition floor ready to go. We look forward to great results as their season builds.
So -- August -- you are here and will soon be gone. We watch holding our breath as our highest levels and our beginning levels take their stages. Sparkle and shine, Dream Girls - sparkle and shine.
Working in the gym, I watched seven athletes train, seven sets of parents worry, and two coaches and twelve fellow teammates plan, cheer, growl and generally prepare for an outcome they know to be as secure as shifting sand. The only control these kids, coaches and parents have is preparation. They can train - they train like they are competing (or compete like they train), and train like the champions they aspire to be.
I also watched our 3 graduated seniors prepare for their last month of gym. One of these young women is my daugher, so it was exceptionally poignant for me. Lloimincia returned for one last session this summer before her permanant move to LSU. She looked awesome with her new hair and ripped down physique. Chelsea had a couple of hiccups in training due to an "unhealed" surgery, but was very adamant about working her tkatchev and overshoots with Chris before she left for Georgia. Our last chick to fly the coop was Christina Navarro. Christina got a last minute nod from Centenary in Louisiana, to come to school and train on their team. We sent her off with a small party and best wishes; and that hug on her last day put us both in tears. All three of these girls/women leave big holes in our universe.
August is also the beginning of the compulsory season for our little girls. They donned their beautiful new leotards and warm ups (truly beautiful) and marched out on that first competition floor ready to go. We look forward to great results as their season builds.
So -- August -- you are here and will soon be gone. We watch holding our breath as our highest levels and our beginning levels take their stages. Sparkle and shine, Dream Girls - sparkle and shine.
