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It's Race Day!
- Thread starter Robyn
- Start date
MaineSkiLady
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Results requested when available!
Robyn
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Will post more later, suffice it to say that it was the most stressful day I've ever had coaching and not in a good way. I had to physically put a child in her skis this morning as she refused to go anywhere, I had other kids who needed to get to the course to inspect and her parents were nowhere to be found.
Robyn
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Thanks!
One good thing, I had a mom, a former US ski team member tell me that they had wanted to put their girls in the program at Keystone but when they found out that I'd be at Copper they made sure to to come here because they wanted their youngest (I had the oldest last year) with me. Talk about major ego boost that was sorely needed.
One good thing, I had a mom, a former US ski team member tell me that they had wanted to put their girls in the program at Keystone but when they found out that I'd be at Copper they made sure to to come here because they wanted their youngest (I had the oldest last year) with me. Talk about major ego boost that was sorely needed.
Robyn
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Okay, it's 3:30 in the morning and I'm awake right now after tossing and turning most of the night. I'll post the good and the bad and try not to dissolve into tears while posting. It's been a truly emotional 23 hours for me it's a good thing that next week is our off weekend as I really need a break. As background, on race days we split the kids into different groups than normal, by class and gender. I've got the 5 and 6 year old girls, assigned 14 of them with I think 11 showing up.
I've had a challenging year as it is and one girl, S, has been most of the major problem. She just refuses to ski at times, or ski crying the whole time cause she wants to ski with mommy or daddy. Other times it's like she's a completely different child and I love having her in my group. Mom says we have a "personality conflict". The conflict is that mom and dad always give into her and because on any given day I'm dealing with 5-13 other children I CAN'T do that. Today started off before she got to me in meltdown stage. I'd already forewarned the other 2 coaches I was working with for the day (with a parent helper also hearing) that I would need to step back if she was melting down because of this "conflict" so they stepped in and did everything possible to try to leave me out of it but of course that didn't work. Meanwhile we get outside to get going and one girl has no clue where her parents left her skis. It took 3 of us to locate those while 3 others were trying to get S to get her skis on which she refused to do. I try calling mom who is working the race and doesn't answer (I have my suspicions there as she never did return my desperation message). In the end, I have to, with the help of other parents, physically lift her up and snap her boots into her bindings. Not my preferred way of getting a child on the slopes but I had no choice, I had other kids waiting to go inspect the course for a race. Fortunately her day got better and she cooperated for the most part as the day wore on.
Then, I had one of the other 2 coaches who is more of social coach than organizer coach loose one of the kids. Sent them off supposedly with one family (who was supposed to be meeting up with me and we were just off sync they're the ones who complimented me later). We get to the start of the race to start lining up, I ask said family where T was (she is in a higher level training group but still 6 so racing in the class with my kids as is K) and they haven't seen her all day. I ask coach and she just looks at me with dumb stare. Thankfully we have radios, I find her with the older class and tell that coach she needs to be at the start asap. By the way, I had T and K last year and love them to death. On the way to the course after inspection said coach also thinks we should go inside with 15 minutes until race start. I ask why she responds bathrooms and warm up. It's the warmest day we've had this season and I ask if anyone needs the bathroom. Nope. GRRRRR!
Okay, I've got them all lined up, down to race suits for some and we're starting. I stay at the start to help encourage them, remind what we're working on and be organizer for this group (since none of the other coaches seem to be able to organize). One of the guys at the start is cussing up a storm because he messes up his timing chart so I have to remind him about the kids standing there.
Okay, first run done. Ski down, meet up with them, check times quickly and then we head up for a quick bathroom and bite to eat break. We don't have much time as they are running boys and girls side by side and expect to start second run right after the first. Try radioing for an ETA for second run start time but nobody answers after multiple requests.
Getting ready to leave for second run my phone rings. One of the kids that I have just for the day's mother is on the line. Dad is the one at Copper with us and is in the emergency clinic, don't freak C out but wanted us to know. She'll call with an update. I don't tell C because I don't want her to freak before her second run.
Okay, now we're at second run. I'm loosing my voice as I started the day with a sore throat and since I'm the only one organizing (except for the help of one savior of a parent from aforementioned family that I love). We start lining up the kids. Here comes S again, coming to where I explicitly told them not to and refusing to stop. I've had a enough so I pick her up attached to skis etc and march her up the hill to where she should be. We finally get started and I get them through the second run.
Get down, times are incredible. My two girls that I had last year T and K (from the family) did incredibly well and had everyone at the start blown away watching them. I won't be surprised to see them in the Olympics one day and I am so filled with pride and happiness knowing I set the right foundation last year (here come the tears now by the way). Little H, K's little sister in the family DNFd but she still did really well and is following in K's and mom's footsteps (former US Ski Team). She's my little trooper, never upset, never argues just happy go lucky child.
We head for lunch (it's already 1pm) and I get a call from the mom with the injured husband/dad. He's been transferred to the hospital for more tests, she's coming via free bus system from Keystone. I get into line with said child, C, and tell her what's going on. Thankfully she's a bit upset but takes it quite well. We go to lunch where I get to take a break for a bit because the parents always take over (I'm there helping too but parents step in here thankfully every time we're training/racing). By the time we're done we have time for one short run, back for backpacks and then down the mountain for awards.
You'd think it ends there but I have one child meltdown because she can't find dad and doesn't want to go to awards because he said they weren't staying. Sorry, no choice, I can't be in 2 places at once, he'll find us I'm sure. Oh, and K gets in trouble for throwing a snowball first and then just minutes later gets nailed in the face/eye with one. Lesson learned I guess.
At lunch time my neck started bothering me but I ignored it. By awards I was nearly in tears. Got home and couldn't move. I think I did it either while snapping S into skis or while carrying her up the hill at the start but I'm not sure. Currently I've taken a muscle relaxer and a tylenol with codeine to try to help.
So, now a few positive highlights. Skiing with T and K is always a highlight. I miss them from last year and they truly are joys in my life. To give you an idea of T's attitude, she started the season with a broken thumb, skiing with one pole and still won the race at Breckenridge in January. She never complained except that her poor thumb was cold because she couldn't tuck it into her mitten to warm up from the hand warmer. She always runs cold cause she has NO body fat, just a tiny little girl. She won yesterday while K got second. D was a little girl just joining for the day since Summit Cups are open to any Summit County resident. Mom was a helper and did a wonderful job with that. D was a joy and I hope she joins the team next year. I asked her mom to bring her to the rest of the Summit Cups, she got ribbons too.
Not only did said family compliment me, a dad who was at the start doing hand timing and line up ate lunch with us and complimented my organization and attitude with the kids. No other coaches were so on top of it. (Insert blushing smiley here please) I still have other kids from last season who run to show me their ribbons. I am so proud of them and so proud that I set the foundation for them to love the sport. I wasn't that lucky when racing as my coaches were tough love, just do it kind of guys so I try to balance the fun/encouragement with the discipline that must be done.
So, now, I'm flat on my back, having taken the meds and hoping to go back to sleep soon. Although, I'm worried as a I haven't heard from the guy I'm dating who went snowmobiling yesterday. I'd have more peace of mind if I did.
Thanks for listening to my book. I needed to vent and write down the feelings as I'm so discouraged and upset that it's just not what I loved last year. Please forgive any weird typos, that codeine and muscle relaxer is kicking in so typing has been rough and it's taken an hour!
I'm taking Sunday off. I'll relax, hopefully get to see boy if he's not buried in an avalanche and just try to recover.
I've had a challenging year as it is and one girl, S, has been most of the major problem. She just refuses to ski at times, or ski crying the whole time cause she wants to ski with mommy or daddy. Other times it's like she's a completely different child and I love having her in my group. Mom says we have a "personality conflict". The conflict is that mom and dad always give into her and because on any given day I'm dealing with 5-13 other children I CAN'T do that. Today started off before she got to me in meltdown stage. I'd already forewarned the other 2 coaches I was working with for the day (with a parent helper also hearing) that I would need to step back if she was melting down because of this "conflict" so they stepped in and did everything possible to try to leave me out of it but of course that didn't work. Meanwhile we get outside to get going and one girl has no clue where her parents left her skis. It took 3 of us to locate those while 3 others were trying to get S to get her skis on which she refused to do. I try calling mom who is working the race and doesn't answer (I have my suspicions there as she never did return my desperation message). In the end, I have to, with the help of other parents, physically lift her up and snap her boots into her bindings. Not my preferred way of getting a child on the slopes but I had no choice, I had other kids waiting to go inspect the course for a race. Fortunately her day got better and she cooperated for the most part as the day wore on.
Then, I had one of the other 2 coaches who is more of social coach than organizer coach loose one of the kids. Sent them off supposedly with one family (who was supposed to be meeting up with me and we were just off sync they're the ones who complimented me later). We get to the start of the race to start lining up, I ask said family where T was (she is in a higher level training group but still 6 so racing in the class with my kids as is K) and they haven't seen her all day. I ask coach and she just looks at me with dumb stare. Thankfully we have radios, I find her with the older class and tell that coach she needs to be at the start asap. By the way, I had T and K last year and love them to death. On the way to the course after inspection said coach also thinks we should go inside with 15 minutes until race start. I ask why she responds bathrooms and warm up. It's the warmest day we've had this season and I ask if anyone needs the bathroom. Nope. GRRRRR!
Okay, I've got them all lined up, down to race suits for some and we're starting. I stay at the start to help encourage them, remind what we're working on and be organizer for this group (since none of the other coaches seem to be able to organize). One of the guys at the start is cussing up a storm because he messes up his timing chart so I have to remind him about the kids standing there.
Okay, first run done. Ski down, meet up with them, check times quickly and then we head up for a quick bathroom and bite to eat break. We don't have much time as they are running boys and girls side by side and expect to start second run right after the first. Try radioing for an ETA for second run start time but nobody answers after multiple requests.
Getting ready to leave for second run my phone rings. One of the kids that I have just for the day's mother is on the line. Dad is the one at Copper with us and is in the emergency clinic, don't freak C out but wanted us to know. She'll call with an update. I don't tell C because I don't want her to freak before her second run.
Okay, now we're at second run. I'm loosing my voice as I started the day with a sore throat and since I'm the only one organizing (except for the help of one savior of a parent from aforementioned family that I love). We start lining up the kids. Here comes S again, coming to where I explicitly told them not to and refusing to stop. I've had a enough so I pick her up attached to skis etc and march her up the hill to where she should be. We finally get started and I get them through the second run.
Get down, times are incredible. My two girls that I had last year T and K (from the family) did incredibly well and had everyone at the start blown away watching them. I won't be surprised to see them in the Olympics one day and I am so filled with pride and happiness knowing I set the right foundation last year (here come the tears now by the way). Little H, K's little sister in the family DNFd but she still did really well and is following in K's and mom's footsteps (former US Ski Team). She's my little trooper, never upset, never argues just happy go lucky child.
We head for lunch (it's already 1pm) and I get a call from the mom with the injured husband/dad. He's been transferred to the hospital for more tests, she's coming via free bus system from Keystone. I get into line with said child, C, and tell her what's going on. Thankfully she's a bit upset but takes it quite well. We go to lunch where I get to take a break for a bit because the parents always take over (I'm there helping too but parents step in here thankfully every time we're training/racing). By the time we're done we have time for one short run, back for backpacks and then down the mountain for awards.
You'd think it ends there but I have one child meltdown because she can't find dad and doesn't want to go to awards because he said they weren't staying. Sorry, no choice, I can't be in 2 places at once, he'll find us I'm sure. Oh, and K gets in trouble for throwing a snowball first and then just minutes later gets nailed in the face/eye with one. Lesson learned I guess.
At lunch time my neck started bothering me but I ignored it. By awards I was nearly in tears. Got home and couldn't move. I think I did it either while snapping S into skis or while carrying her up the hill at the start but I'm not sure. Currently I've taken a muscle relaxer and a tylenol with codeine to try to help.
So, now a few positive highlights. Skiing with T and K is always a highlight. I miss them from last year and they truly are joys in my life. To give you an idea of T's attitude, she started the season with a broken thumb, skiing with one pole and still won the race at Breckenridge in January. She never complained except that her poor thumb was cold because she couldn't tuck it into her mitten to warm up from the hand warmer. She always runs cold cause she has NO body fat, just a tiny little girl. She won yesterday while K got second. D was a little girl just joining for the day since Summit Cups are open to any Summit County resident. Mom was a helper and did a wonderful job with that. D was a joy and I hope she joins the team next year. I asked her mom to bring her to the rest of the Summit Cups, she got ribbons too.
Not only did said family compliment me, a dad who was at the start doing hand timing and line up ate lunch with us and complimented my organization and attitude with the kids. No other coaches were so on top of it. (Insert blushing smiley here please) I still have other kids from last season who run to show me their ribbons. I am so proud of them and so proud that I set the foundation for them to love the sport. I wasn't that lucky when racing as my coaches were tough love, just do it kind of guys so I try to balance the fun/encouragement with the discipline that must be done.
So, now, I'm flat on my back, having taken the meds and hoping to go back to sleep soon. Although, I'm worried as a I haven't heard from the guy I'm dating who went snowmobiling yesterday. I'd have more peace of mind if I did.
Thanks for listening to my book. I needed to vent and write down the feelings as I'm so discouraged and upset that it's just not what I loved last year. Please forgive any weird typos, that codeine and muscle relaxer is kicking in so typing has been rough and it's taken an hour!
I'm taking Sunday off. I'll relax, hopefully get to see boy if he's not buried in an avalanche and just try to recover.
All I thought about, Robyn, as I was reading your post was how lucky those kids are to have a coach who cares so much. I see it was a tough day for you, but it's clear to me that 1) all in all, you handled it all very well; 2) you have a tremendous heart, and 3) you're a strong, courageous woman for even taking this on. There's NEVER any pleasing everyone, and with all the personalities and peccadilloes involved, you really have your hands full.
Rest today. Your spirit and your body will thank you.
Rest today. Your spirit and your body will thank you.
MaineSkiLady
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Robyn, you need a hug! 
Are you still up??!!!
Wow, does sound as though this was an extremely intense day for you, replete with good/bad/ugly.
I've always said it takes the patient of a saint to deal with that age group....hard enough to deal w/one, much less a posse!!
Please take care of yourself, hope you're feeling better!!
Are you still up??!!!
Wow, does sound as though this was an extremely intense day for you, replete with good/bad/ugly.
I've always said it takes the patient of a saint to deal with that age group....hard enough to deal w/one, much less a posse!!
Please take care of yourself, hope you're feeling better!!
NannyMin
Banned
What a crazy day! 
The great thing is that it sounds like you handled it like a pro! Bravo to you for handling yourself well under multiple pressures. Not all coaches are able to do it with your grace! 
My guess is that at some point you & S will come to an "understanding" and she will conform to your structure. Kids have an uncanny ability to figure out who they can manipulate and who they can't. It sounds like she is still testing you.
I hope you have a relaxing day, hear from the bf, and have some yummy food (Your blog is great!).
The great thing is that it sounds like you handled it like a pro! Bravo to you for handling yourself well under multiple pressures. Not all coaches are able to do it with your grace! My guess is that at some point you & S will come to an "understanding" and she will conform to your structure. Kids have an uncanny ability to figure out who they can manipulate and who they can't. It sounds like she is still testing you.
I hope you have a relaxing day, hear from the bf, and have some yummy food (Your blog is great!).
NannyMin
Banned
You know, I would if I was closer!
num
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Oh, what a day Robyn! Sounds like you're a dream of a coach, and hopefully a bunch of little ones and their thankful parents will make sure you know that, and remind you when necessary.
Hopefully the boy in question will get to you soon. Let us know, cuz I'm starting to worry!
Hopefully the boy in question will get to you soon. Let us know, cuz I'm starting to worry!
greekpeakskier
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
i agree with num. reading of your commitment to the kids really touches me. tell us more as it goes along; how you deal with the difficult ones, if you feel some of the intense pleasure you felt last year.
Robyn
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I thought I'd share a positive coaching post with you all that I posted on another BB last spring (not a skiing related board). It's been good for me to back and read it for some encouragement today. Your comments have been equally helpful. Thank you! By the way T in the post below is the same as T in the story from yesterday.
"Well, today was the last day of coaching this year. We had a small group today as 4 of our kids made Nastar nationals but we had a good day. It was a parent/child race and then a bbq and awards. My co-coach and I gave awards to each of our 14 kids for something special about them and their season. It was a bittersweet day as I need a break but I'm going to miss each of the children so much.
The kids got together and gave each of us a card that they each signed. Being 5 and 6 years old the signatures were adorable. A couple did drawings of them skiing down a mountain. It nearly brought be to tears given the challenging week I had with the team management (long story but I was defending myself against false accusations and my job was threatened by the board ) It was hard to answer the questions about whether I'll be back next year as part of me wants to and part of me is so mentally and physically exhausted that I'm think no way in h*ll but I've decided that I won't make a decision until fall and go from there.
Some highlights from the season:
*During one of the first days of training we were tree skiing and Logan somehow got himself wrapped around a sappling. Not quite sure how that happened but I had to lift him up and out.
*We regularly tried to put them through a challenge that many thought they couldn't do. We took them through a very tough bumps run and I was bringing up the rear when J waved me down. He had found another teammate, N, who had fallen into the powder on the side of the run, was nearly buried and was head down the hill. It's a good thing we were alerted because I never would have seen him.
*At our bumps race I sent my first girl, T, down the hill and watched as she headed toward a jump (they are not required to do the jump) and she was headed toward the medium size jump. A collective gasp went out from every adult at the start as she took off. The girl did a spread eagle, landed fine and kept on going like it was totally normal.
*I can't tell you the number of crazy stories I heard on lift rides or at lunch.
*Every single one of the 14 kids don't even resemble the skiers they started out as at the beginning of the season. They all worked very hard, listened to instruction well and it paid off.
*Our head coach is recruiting several of the kids to skip the rest of the development program and head straight into the age prep group.
*We had the BEST group of parents! We needed 2-3 parent helpers at all time to make sure we had all 14 kids rounded up as we skied down the hill. Not one of them complained about helping and the really saved our sanity.
*We soothed many tears after falls or when dealing with cold hands and faces. We told them many times to stop throwing snow in liftlines or to quit pushing each other. I nearly lost my voice every weekend after screaming down the hill every day trying to give them reminders of what to work on. Oh, and there was some discipline as well but it wouldn't be kids or ski racing if we didn't. By nature ski racers are programmed to want to move and fast and they're 6!
Most of all, it was a fun season!
I'm feeling a bit wistful tonight so thanks for letting me share some of what is going through my head. But, I can't say that I'm going to miss the 4:45 am alarm on Saturday mornings!
Oh, and last but not least, my co-coach is having a baby in September! Perfect timing because she'll be ready to come back just in time for next season."
"Well, today was the last day of coaching this year. We had a small group today as 4 of our kids made Nastar nationals but we had a good day. It was a parent/child race and then a bbq and awards. My co-coach and I gave awards to each of our 14 kids for something special about them and their season. It was a bittersweet day as I need a break but I'm going to miss each of the children so much.
The kids got together and gave each of us a card that they each signed. Being 5 and 6 years old the signatures were adorable. A couple did drawings of them skiing down a mountain. It nearly brought be to tears given the challenging week I had with the team management (long story but I was defending myself against false accusations and my job was threatened by the board ) It was hard to answer the questions about whether I'll be back next year as part of me wants to and part of me is so mentally and physically exhausted that I'm think no way in h*ll but I've decided that I won't make a decision until fall and go from there.
Some highlights from the season:
*During one of the first days of training we were tree skiing and Logan somehow got himself wrapped around a sappling. Not quite sure how that happened but I had to lift him up and out.
*We regularly tried to put them through a challenge that many thought they couldn't do. We took them through a very tough bumps run and I was bringing up the rear when J waved me down. He had found another teammate, N, who had fallen into the powder on the side of the run, was nearly buried and was head down the hill. It's a good thing we were alerted because I never would have seen him.
*At our bumps race I sent my first girl, T, down the hill and watched as she headed toward a jump (they are not required to do the jump) and she was headed toward the medium size jump. A collective gasp went out from every adult at the start as she took off. The girl did a spread eagle, landed fine and kept on going like it was totally normal.
*I can't tell you the number of crazy stories I heard on lift rides or at lunch.
*Every single one of the 14 kids don't even resemble the skiers they started out as at the beginning of the season. They all worked very hard, listened to instruction well and it paid off.
*Our head coach is recruiting several of the kids to skip the rest of the development program and head straight into the age prep group.
*We had the BEST group of parents! We needed 2-3 parent helpers at all time to make sure we had all 14 kids rounded up as we skied down the hill. Not one of them complained about helping and the really saved our sanity.
*We soothed many tears after falls or when dealing with cold hands and faces. We told them many times to stop throwing snow in liftlines or to quit pushing each other. I nearly lost my voice every weekend after screaming down the hill every day trying to give them reminders of what to work on. Oh, and there was some discipline as well but it wouldn't be kids or ski racing if we didn't. By nature ski racers are programmed to want to move and fast and they're 6!
Most of all, it was a fun season!
I'm feeling a bit wistful tonight so thanks for letting me share some of what is going through my head. But, I can't say that I'm going to miss the 4:45 am alarm on Saturday mornings!
Oh, and last but not least, my co-coach is having a baby in September! Perfect timing because she'll be ready to come back just in time for next season."
MaineSkiLady
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Working with this age group takes a very special type of person. Saw my share of this today - the kids at 5-6 can be overwhelming. I just could not do it. I saw a 4 year old in full meltdown this aft and one other sight that blew me away: a dad carrying a 2 year old, kid in full gear, skiing to the base, and the kid was out cold - FAST ASLEEP. Like a noodle - unreal. Dad said that the little guy had fallen asleep on the chair 
Robyn, hope you're recovering and had some recuperative down time.
Robyn, hope you're recovering and had some recuperative down time.
