Trying to push my way through the last few weeks of the fall season. 6, occasionally 7 day-70hr weeks for the last 3 months have taken their toll. Not getting enough sleep or exercise, eating crappy food. But I'm certain I'm in good company! This months "Strength & Conditioning" mag had a good Q&A with a high school ATC from Pa., USA.
I am jealous of the fact he is able to get away & work with the Pittsburgh Steelers (american football), and travel to the U.K. to work with Welsh Rugby. I doubt I would be able to swing that here at EHS. This past weekend was typical for me, flying out on a Sunday morning to recert a soft tissue technique, flying back that same night to be back at EHS monday morning.
It made me cognisant of the intellectual isolation we high school A.T.'s experience. School funding for our continuing ed is slim or none, plus we deal with more teams than a typical collegiate A.T. does. The annual GAIN meeting means a lot to me. It takes place just as school gets out in June and gives me a chance to recharge my batteries. SHARING (actively) with professionals from all over the globe. Much smarter, & just as passionate as I am about the profession. Guys just as nuts as I am- Jim Radcliffe from Oregon flying in on the AM to give a workshop, then flying back that afternoon to work with his volleyball team.
I hope you guys enjoy my posts as much as I enjoy your comments. Although I don't always respond, I read every one of them. I hope it helps bridge the intellectual isolation gap.
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8 comments:
Joe,
I used to work that crazy schedule you have until I moved to an all girls school. Much better workload, I'm fortunate. I admire you for keeping up with that schedule, it is not easy.
I do read your blog frequently, and while I usually don't post anything, it does inspire me to review my notes from a course, keep up to date on my reading or reassess a rehab plan for one of my girls.
Thank you.
Joe,
I know I enjoy your posts and have used your posts to challenge my co-workers to think about things a bit more in a non-confrontational way of course.
However, don't kill yourself by trying to do too much. We will be here to read your posts when you post them.
Take care of yourself.
JH
Joe - I've made your blog required reading for the kids in my classes that I teach in our ATEP and your posts keep us all thinking.
Joe- Absolutely love this blog. Even though im not an AT I find your post very stimulating. Keep up the good work. I have learned a ton from this blog. Much appreciation
Joe,
From past email conversations you know how isolated I felt. Still looking through the Gary Gray DVD's ... and that still is serving as a great resource and battery recharger for me as well! Thanks!
Jimmy "Rad" Radcliffe is the man. I was learning from him back in my grad school days at the U of O. He really is a tremendous resource. The U of O is very lucky to have him on staff and it's obvious he's a loyal guy having been there before I was in school back in 1990!
I feel ya Joe. Us NJ ATCs have it rough in the fall. Just a few weeks left. I make it a point once a week to get in the Rock Gym up in Fairfield and do some climbing to get out of the rut of bed, wake up, training room, bed, wake up, training room. If you ever wanna get up on the wall let me know
It's like Steve Vianna from Linden says, "I love the profession but I hate the lifestyle".
As a high school strength coach (although i really prefer "athletic development coach")
i know isolation all too well. first of all, there are the other strength coaches and sport coaches who think that leg extensions and leg curls, "the dumbbell shoulder complex" (lateral, front and rear deltoid raises), and biceps curls are optimal methods for preparing athletes. then there are the experts that come to us as gurus, beneficent and magnanimous in their sharing of concepts that are way above our heads, but will give us some of their time for a price.
joe, thanks to you, your blog and those who comment i don't feel quite as alone! and thanks to you i've learned so much that has helped me in my everyday practice.
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