“If There Is No Struggle, There Is No Progress.” Frederick Douglass. When I was about 30 years old, my car needed repairs. I lived about 4 miles from work and was renting from a generous little old lady that was much like a grandmother to me. I had to get the car repaired about 10 miles away and the repairs were to take several days. I then proceeded to tell my land-lady that I was going to be carless, and she was not allowed to offer to help me out. I was not in the kind of shape I wanted to be in and I needed the extra miles! In essence, I had fallen. Let’s take a look at a classic commercial about falling from the same era: I've Fallen...

Many of you know that my parents live with me. Several years ago, as they were in their upper 70's we thought this would be a good idea for me to be there with them. However, I was letting my dad mow the lawn (this is not on a riding mower) and he works his garden each year with minimal help from me. My mom refused to have people help her out of her chair. Now my dad is 85 and he is still mowing the lawn and working his garden. Mom may need a little help getting out of her chair, but rarely. Was I being mean several years ago by not "doing everything for them?"

Here is a principal of nature that is best proclaimed in the metamorphosis of: butterflies

“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” —Arnold Schwarzenegger. Then winning comes from strength that is created from previous struggles.

As a coach, I have to decide when I need to help you up, or when I need to let yourself pick you up. “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” —Robert H. Schuller. My goal as a coach is to make sure you are tough enough to endure long after you run your last HS XC race. So embrace the struggle!