What Were You Doing 10 Years Ago

What Were You Doing 10 Years Ago

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I was finishing my first season of track. I was a 250lb, 15 year old freshman in a tiny city in Rhode Island. I remember my friend telling me I should join the track team. I gave him the look every thrower gives to the first person that says this to them… "Have you seen me before? I can't walk a mile, nevermind run one". He said, "No, try shot put. I have the middle school record and I'm kind-of liking this other event (Hammer) that the coach is having me do" (He went to UConn on a hammer scholarship). 


I showed up like every other confused freshmen seeing the event for the first time. My coach quickly threw me in there and within 15 minutes I had a nickname that people still use (Moose). 


My buddy and I were both chasing the freshman school record, which was 36ft. I remember my last meet was Junior Varsity states and I threw 38ft. I probably placed outside the top 10. Even so I left the circle cheering so loud I remember the upset looks on people's faces. I finally broke the record, but later discovered my coach didn't keep class records. So I'm not sure where 36ft came from. 


Everyday I coach, I think of that day. The day it didn't matter what people thought of my throw, just that it was great for me. 


Now 10 years later I am still chasing that same feeling of success. Except now I'm trying to help others experience what I did. I want every one of my athletes to experience the shear joy of accomplishing a goal they set. Even if it isn't a first place finish, knowing you set out to do something and you made it. I didn't break a world record or win the Olympics, but that was one of the best days of my life.

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