~:[CH5 - Day 308]:~ No Rain, No Rainbows

~:[CH5 - Day 308]:~ No Rain, No Rainbows

Sometimes, somethings never stop being true. As while we had faced some of the toughest times as a team in 2007, in 2008, they used No Rain, No Rainbows to show that the storms will always bring a rainbow to follow. As I saw this year's team, two things crossed my mind. One, I am not sure that any year can truly understand the difficulties that we had to overcome together over the course of that year. While the challenges of college applications, stress, and life are daunting, experiencing what this class had to experience is unmatched and for that, I continue to have respect for the 2007 team to a level that I am not sure will ever be matched. While the tears fell like rain that year, it brought this group closer rather than tearing them apart and ultimately, ohana was born. Out of this tragic storm, something was created that so many athletes that follow got to experience that I was dedicating every ounce of myself to. It is such a joy to sit back and see people grow together, learn from each, and then ultimately connect and grow, both as runners and individuals. At times, I am torn apart when I see arguments, lack of dedication, athletes quitting or giving less than their best, a lack of appreciation or concern for others, or athletes who try, but can't catch a break with setback after setback, but I am reminded, that I too as a coach, must weather the storms; as I cannot allow a select group of people to alter my view of a job that has a larger group of those who are dedicated, loving, caring, spirited and give more than what is expected day after day. I'm never going to win every battle; there will be good days and there will be bad ones; however, as I sat back and just watched the athletes intermingle today and go about the activities of the day, I couldn't help, but smile. In part, the smile was to see this group of athletes grow together, but also in part for all the athletes of the past that made this program into what it is today. As there have been storms, the rainbows have begun to show themselves, showing me exactly why you cannot abandon ship so quickly. As I look ahead, there is hope in the sky and I have the hundreds of alumni of our program to thank who each added a piece of themselves to this thing we call ohana. Win, lose or draw, I'll stand along side my ohana through any storm, as the rainbows we will see together will be well worth ot, especially when we stuck through ot together as one. The team of 2007 knows it best, but I can only hope that this year's team and the many teams that will follow will understand all the things they can overcome, when they stand together through the storm. Ohana RNR <3 b="">