View Workout (Aaron Lin)
Retirement from competing
September 25, 2013 (Afternoon)
Exercise Type: Run
Comments:
Here's my explanation for my decision to change my role on the team from an athlete to a volunteer assistant coach. I got a stress fracture during the second half of the summer, which was diagnosed during pre-season. This meant that I had to wear a boot and I couldn't run. I knew that pretty much, I won't be able to be in full shape when it mattered later on this season. Although I did the same mileage that I did last summer, I didn't feel like I was actually in shape by the end of the summer the way I did last year. It's probably because I was 20lbs heavier this year vs last year, despite having cut like 7-8lbs of fat from 5 weeks of dieting. So it was pretty clear that my competitive season this year in cross is nonexistent. its no secret that I've gotten really into bodybuilding and fitness in the past several months. Im at a point where running just doesn't bring the same fulfillment to me anymore as it had in the past. BB and fitness has become my passion and way of life. My desire to run competitively in track this coming winter and spring just really wasn't there. However I did come into xc to try my best because xc means a lot more to me. the bonds it has made for me in the past and the amount of personal gains it has given me, I felt responsible to be there to help lead the team back to nationals as an upperclassman. That's why I trained full mileage this summer, and went through a dieting process to optimize my bodyweight for distance running. But Since I couldnt run, logically I would just quit the team, and pursue my other physical endeavors. but I couldn't do that because I love you guys and coudln't see myself not being with such a wonderful group of people. I wanted to stay around to help out, lead the freshman, guide the team. Coach had previously asked if i was gonna be around next year for grad school and be her assistant cuz she likes what ive done with helping out some of the individual freshman. I decided, why don't I just become her assistant coach now! So I feel that thsi season and next, I can better contribute in a leadership role as opposed to being a competitive athlete. and so here I am, Coach Lin AKA CoachL 2.0
Advice that has stuck with me and has helped me with decisions I've made:
"Do what makes you happy."
-Ben "Big Meeche" Yavitt