Page 91 of Running
As Marcie leads the ladies out, I join towards the back of the pack.
While Coach and I didn’t talk about it on our call, the purpose of this morning’s run is likely a combination of maintaining conditioning and team bonding. With the whole team there, including sprinters and field athletes, the run likely won’t be at a training pace. This is confirmed when Marcie keeps us at a relaxed tempo.
For middle distance runners like Jasmine and me, it’s not a challenge to hold a conversation at this speed, not unlike when Johnson and I ran that one day too. So I decide to prompt a chat and learn more about her if I can.
Positioning myself to be at her side, I see how at ease she is now that we’re running. “So you grew up in Florida?”
She nods. “Yes, the Bradenton area?”
“That’s on the Gulf Coast?”
“Yes. Lived there my whole life.”
Our pack is now out of the athletic complex area and running on the main campus. “Is this a route you normally take?”
We twist around a building and continue on the wide sidewalk. Marcie seems to be leading us off campus, which makes sense for the distance planned.
“For our team runs, yep. I have some other favorite paths I like to do when it’s only me.”
Since this morning feels great so far, I decide to take a leap of faith. “I’d actually love to learn some new runs around here. Maybe we can run together sometime?”
She looks at me in surprise—a good kind of surprise. “Oh mygod, run with you one on one? Yes, anytime!” Her excitement seems to have knocked away her shyness.
“Awesome. I’ll grab your number when we’re back so we can coordinate.”
We’re quiet for a couple minutes, and then I ask her a few more questions, since we’re both still breathing comfortably with the pace. I learn more about her focus academically (Literature), her family (parents still married, with a little brother), and her favorite spot to eat on campus (a Chinese restaurant).
By the time we’re circling back and the run is in its last mile, she doesn’t stop chattering, asking me questions in return about my goals with my business degree.
The run's been a great ice-breaker, and made me motivated to help her get past her hangups. I know for certain I’m game to serve as support.
I only wish someone had done that for me.
As we run down the hill to the track, I notice Coach Shelley picking up that Jasmine is not only next to me, but talking.
Once we all settle down on the track, the run done, Marcie begins leading the group through stretches. I take part and then head over to Shelley.
“It went well, and we’re going to run together again.”
Her face looks relieved. “Thank you so much, Grace. And you’re welcome back anytime.”
I smile back. “I might take you up on that. It felt good to be in a team environment.”
“If only you had any NCAA eligibility left,” she jokes, and I chuckle in return. I burned through all four years of my eligibility at Princeton.
Something about Shelley erases all of my normal formality with coaches. Mine at Princeton were great, but she’s got a warm energy that transcends a coach’s role.
Almost…maternal. And god knows, I welcome that vibe where I can find it.
The day isn’t done with happy surprises. At ten, I walk into my sports management class for the first time and see that the visiting professor listed on the syllabus, “Ms. Springer,” has written her full name on the board.
Ms. Lily Springer.
Wait, what? Is thisJohnson’sLily? His business manager?
Shocked at the crazy coincidence, I take my seat at the U-shaped table instead of greeting her. It’ll be a small class as she set the limit at twenty enrollments, with a few prerequisites.
As other students trickle in, they go up and introduce themselves, shaking her hand. I feel bad that I didn’t.
