Success is Not Always Measured in Medals
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Success is not always measured in medals. Let me rephrase that. The majority of life’s successes will never be recognized with a medal, award or honor.
In the past week I have been reminded of this statement many times. From the banner that hangs on the wall at the gym we competed at last weekend:
Medals do not make champions, HARD work does.
to my daughter’s performance at her competition last weekend. I was so happy to see her competing new skills – for the first time in one year – that any scores or awards she received were just icing on the cake.
Then there was my youngest daughter’s major accomplishment last night at swim practice – she had the maturity to make it through practice with a different coach who pushed her a little harder than she expected (because he knows she can) and rather than giving up, she swam hard – probably one of her best practices yet.
And at one of my favorite daily reads, Gymnastics Coaching, there were three separate articles this week that highlight the process, not the medals:
- Why we coach kids
- What’s important aside Olympic medals – and you have to read Sport At Its Best – Clara Hughes interview
- And I absolutely love – What are we teaching our kids at competitions
Remember, it is the journey rather than the destination that is the true reward in sports (and life).
Have a great weekend!
Giving Out Some Awards
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I haven’t taken time in quite a while to recognize some of my blogging friends, but since Shaunelle (check out her awesome collection of little girls hairstyles – perfect inspiration for game day/competition day hair) gave me the Beautiful Blogger Award, I can’t keep it to myself.
I am giving the Beautiful Blogger Award to:
- Jenn at Jeneric Stories for sharing the Dad’s Get Involved PSA video – Let’s Go D-A-D-S
- Lorraine at TrackMom for posting a great collection of inspirational quotes as their outdoor track season gets started in So. Cal.
- Sherry at Ladies on the Tee for making me super jealous that she has been able to get out on the golf course in 2010 already and I haven’t! I wish all this snow would melt and the temps would warm up so I could go try out my new G wedge and other goodies I got for Christmas.
- ChicRunner for her awesome LA Marathon course preview photos. While I am not training for a marathon, I have started running with a bunch of the moms from swim team while the kids practice.
- And while we are on the topic of running – I think Jess and her pink shoes need this award too.
Ladies, you are not under any obligation to pass this award on, but it is a fun way to share your favorite reads with your audience and to let another blogger know they are doing a great job. Have a fabulous weekend.
One of my favorite parts of the Olympics has to be the stories behind the athletes. Tonight I will be cheering extra hard for Aerial Skiier Ashley Caldwell – the youngest member of this year’s US Olympic team at 16 years old. She has only been training aerials for three years and really had her sights set on the 2014 games. The former Level 9 gymnast from Virginia not only made the US Olympic team, she also qualified for tonight’s aerials finals, too! Way to go Ashley!
Here is footage of her full double full – which I think is her first jump for finals tonight:
I remember watching Ashley compete as a gymnast during her years at Apex – and can only imagine how proud all her coaches from gymnastics are of her tonight (the rest of the coaches and gymnasts in the state are proud of you too, Ashley)! I am sure all those basics, twisting and flipping drills, trampoline time, conditioning and lessons she learned from her days in the gym contributed to her quick rise to the top in US Freestyle skiing.
GO ASHLEY! Another example of the great things gymnastics can prepare you for.
