My dad raised me on the motto: Practice makes perfect. Somewhat of a perfectionist himself, he drilled it into me, even when I didn't want it.
Well, we made our way to the course this morning for a little practice on the art of 
perfection. Wasn't hard. Perfect weather. Perfectly beautiful region of the country, and a perfect course for a national level cross country meet.
What a place we are in! Hoover, Alabama (just south of Birmingham) is a pristine community, nestled in forested hills, and their "Spain Park Sports Complex" is a state of the art, "how a park should be built" masterpiece. It has all the requisite playgrounds, eating areas, open fields and lakes, but purposefully built into the park, at the Mayor's request we were told, is a running trail that meanders through the park and into the adjacent woods. One full loop of the course is in the forest, parts so shaded that the sky has to work to get through. I jokingly apologized to the kids 
for bringing them so far from home to run in such a "horrid place." "Yea, coach" one replied, "we'd much rather be in the dirt and tree-less desert we call our home course!" We all had a laugh. This place is just amazingly beautiful -- that is if you're into tall trees, forest, no graffiti, no trash, clean air and two-lane roads noodling their way through the woods.
The weather continues to be perfect, our practice on the course went great, and we sense a true feeling of anticipation on the part of the kids to let the race be on!
Now it's on to Montgomery, about 90 minutes south of here, to visit the Rosa Parks institute and Martin Luther King's home church and parsonage.
Parents, your kids are behaving well and all smiles! Really!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Practice Makes Perfect
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
GLAD THAT PRATICE MAKES US PERFECT SOUNDS LIKE U R ALL HAVING FUN MAKE YOUR COACHES PROUD OF YOU
ReplyDeleteWait Wait Wait I want to coach cc again... Wow! Sounds wonderful. I have juice bumps just thinking about where your at and recalling memories of Dr. King's great speeches and appreciating a special H.S.teacher requiring me to memorize 'I Have A Dream' and how that speech would later help shape my own life in many special ways in my own 'Hamlet'. Lookin foward to more updates.
ReplyDeleteCoach Janes
THANK YOU COACHES, for giving our kids the chance to see and experience another part of our great country! They will never forget this time in their lives. You all have done an amazing job!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the updates on our kids! It's so nice to follow the journey along with you all. Best of luck to everyone and enjoy your trip!
ReplyDeleteSo great to get these updates, Coach. What an amazing story--words and pictures--you tell. The scenery, the sense of history, and enthusiasm of bright young minds all come together in spectacular fashion. How glad we are that Sean could be with you all on this trip. All those summer car washes were well worth it!
ReplyDelete