It's Sunday night, June 29. I'm exhausted, physically, mentally. The last four days I averaged over 20,000 steps, with a high of 25,000+ on Saturday. I wasn't hiking, running or chasing little grand kids. I did something I'd never done before. As the meet director, I organized and over saw the 4 day Oregon Junior Olympic track meet at Mt. Hood CC. Over 800 athletes ages 6-18 in 1600+ events. As I reflect on it now, I'm a combination of exhausted emotions: amazed, humbled, proud, disappointment, grateful, relieved.
Amazed: This was an endeavor beyond anything I had organized before. I've organized races, organized volunteers for road races and small triathlons, but nothing with this many moving parts, personalities, fiefdoms, egos. It took months to organize. I accepted the role late in what should have been the planning process...there was no planning process at the time. Amazed that it came off successfully. Each day ran on time, with few glitches. With that many events/athletes and 4 days, equipment not quite as good as Hayward Field (this is not a knock on Fernando and MHCC, he was exceptional in helping me, it’s what we all encounter in working most meets not at Hayward Field) there were bound to be issues and upset/angry parents/coaches, but in my naivete, I think minor in the overall scheme.
Humbled: That people believed I could do this. Humbled by the help I received along the way and overwhelmingly humbled by the professional manner that USATF Oregon track and field officials ran their events in a way that enabled things to go so smoothly. They made the meet the smooth machine it was. If you are a track and field coach, you need these people at your meets. A few of the ones who were my support, Lynn for her knowledge and doing so many extras I'm unaware of; Roger for his advice, athletic.net knowledge, Castro for his organizational skills of making sure everyone was feed/hydrated and getting accommodations for Board members. Phil for is quiet confidence in me that came out in the humor I associate with; Scott, this one is hard, he recruited me for this, I'm still not sure if I should thank him, but he supported me, created the initial schedule in a timely manner, has taught me to be a better official; Jerry, for his stoic advice, encouragement to take control and not be afraid to make decisions. Carl, for his knowledge and for being the person I could vent with.
Proud: That I was able to organize such a successful meet. I made a point though out the four days to ask parents and coaches how things were going. Overwhelmingly, they were positive. I had to deal with a few complaints and grips but that is to be expected. At that time my role is PR, listen, try to offer a solution if one is available. I truly felt bad for the athlete, but sometimes there is not a way to correct a mistake.
Disappointed: The above is my disappointment, that there were a few kids who came away from the meet feeling they weren't given the opportunity they were expecting. Those are the things that I keep remembering. Those are the things I made notes about to find ways to make it not happen next year. Also disappointed in the adults who offered excuses or blame the officials for their athlete not getting the result they wanted. Even track and field has "little league parent syndrome."
Grateful: For my colleagues at USATF. They put their trust in me even though I lacked the experience of organizing a track meet, let alone one of this size. They helped me navigate this endeavor. They were my sounding board, my resource for information. I couldn't have done it without their trust and support. Also grateful for a wife who allowed me the room to be preoccupied with this for several months.
Relieved: It's over. Each day was a relief that it went well, ran on schedule, with few glitches. Thursday and Friday were mostly multi-event competitions i.e. decathlon, heptathlon etc., so fewer numbers. It almost felt like a dress rehearsal for Saturday and Sunday, the Main Event. Most of the athletes and events were contested on Saturday and Sunday. I felt the intensity immediately upon arriving at the track Saturday morning. It was the same track, same people I was working with, but the atmosphere was more focused. And now it's done. Kids competed. Some will move on to the Regional meet. Track and field at this age is "play". It should be joyous and fun. That's the atmosphere I wanted to set. I feel confident that almost all had fun and I saw many smiles.
Time to reflect and make it better for next year.
Sorry, I was too busy to even thing about taking pictures, I'm bummed about that.
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