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How can you tell you are a girls' track coach?

When coaching girls.....you can tell how long the meet went by the number of
braids in their hair, some come with ponytails and by the end of the
day have corn rows.

When the pre-practice routine involves exchanging Prom pictures.

Coach Estey's Comments : I can certainly identify with this one. Monday's pre-practice included numerous photo albums.

When you hear the term "waxing".

Coach Estey's Comments : Don't go there!

When you get "recommendations" on how to dress &
coordinate your "coaching outfits"

Coach Estey's Comments : My team has given up! The 60's and the 05's don't mesh. Maybe that's why I get along better with the nerds!

When one has to go to the bathroom, they all do.

Explain a million times what actually constitutes the
jewelry rule and why the rule is so "stupid".

Explaining to you why they missed the race b/c no one
text messaged her, to let her know.

Coach Estey's Comments : I had to institute a "No cell phone rule." It is close to an uninforceable edict. I remember the New England Championships in '01 when I watched an athlete contact a parent to find out where they were sitting. How do you differentiate that from an athlete who sits at the discus circle text messaging her boyfriend to decide what they're going to do after the meet!

I happened to be within earshot of a pep talk being given by two senior captains on this year's girls track team.  Faced with the prospect of beating a team we hadn't beaten in more than 5 years, but knowing full well that this year's team is "special," our captains were bursting with enthusiasm.  The pep talk reached a crescendo when one captain blurted out:  "Not only are we going to win this meet, we're going to steal their boyfriends too."  We won the meet by winning the 4X4.  As the other team departed our track, I noticed a few furtive glances from their boys team.  Purely coincidence?

Coach Estey's Comments : I avoid listening to the captains' pep talks. That is probably why.
 
A close second was when a promising freshman 400 meter runner was noticeably slowing down during speedwork. We were doing repeat 200s and she would burst out for 150 and then practically walk across the finish line.  After observing this pattern on two in a row, I was growing concerned.  I pulled the runner aside to ask if she was feeling well or if there was something wrong.  Her bubbly reply with a broad grin was, "Gee coach, No, I feel great!"  So I asked, "Why are you slowing down so much near the end of the 200s?"  She suddenly became very serious and pulled my arm so that she could whisper to me and said, "I know that I'm faster than my best friend, but I don't want to make her look bad so I'm letting her catch up to me at the finish, But don't tell her that I'm doing it okay?"  Her secret's safe with me.  ;-)

Coach Estey's Comments : This doesn't surprise me. I've seen it many times. I don't know whether this is commendable or not. I've had athletes bag field events to avoid beating their buddy and at one point had a star athlete cry because I pitted her against a friend. She knew she was going to win - she just didn't want to under the circumstances.

  Here are some thoughts on your top ten list:  You know you are coaching girls when,

• 1. During a meet you can hear 10 different girls talking to you at once and you can answer them all without wincing.  
• 2. You can't figure out why the girls don't want to use the blocks for the dashes and then realize it's the meet before the prom and most have brand new nails. 
• 3. When you can fit 60 girls on a bus with equipment and all sit comfortably. 
• 4.  When your tent has an abundant supply of blankets and wheat thins. 
• 5.  When they ask you for a "guys" opinion.
• 6.  Hearing "you wouldn't understand" when you ask them what's wrong. 
• 7. After losing a meet, 5 minutes of silence, then singing and laughing the rest of the way home.
• 8. Hiring a new young male coach and suddenly the whole team wants to try the event he is coaching. 
• 9. Using the high jump mats to get that dark tan.
• 10. When you recieve a card signed by the entire team and each signature has a heart then their name.

Coach Estey's Comments : Not only can this coach read my mind, but he saved me twenty minutes of writing.