I hate being gone

After the end of my summer camp, I needed a vacation. For the first time, I wanted nothing to do with coaching any crew. I was tired of the responsibility, the stress and the travel. I could think of nothing more than going home and sitting in the A/C doing nothing.

Fortunately (or unfortunately) I don't feel like that now. I hate being gone from the team while they're practicing. It distracts me. I'm unable to concentrate on whatever conversation I'm involved in. I check my Email incessantly now that my cell phone has the ability. I'm thinking about how the practice is going, who's there and if anyone is goofing off. In short, I act like a parent who's left his kid with a babysitter for the first time.

Emily hates this as well. I'm in the room, but not in the room.

Sometimes I can use this kind of distance between practices to think up a new practice or workout. For example, I've decided to add "lunges" up and down the hallway at Millvale (with the bar only) to the lifting system. Another good leg workout in a system that doesn't have enough.

After awhile, my creativity shuts down and I just daydream about regattas. About as useful as twiddling my thumbs. Then again, I'm sure the guys are daydreaming of regattas as well. There's only so much concentration I can expect out of teenage boys, after all.

I hope tomorrow goes a little better. I'm sure the guys are tired of catching Emails and text messages from me.