Trinity Women's Basketball Team Blog

Wednesday, November 18, 2009:

Marathon!

As our marathon of practices winds down and our first game is only a couple of days away, I wanted to update everyone on another marathon that happened this past weekend. Coach Aduddell and I decided that we needed to get in shape for the upcoming season (or some could argue maybe we were just a little bit crazy one day) so we signed up for the San Antonio Rock and Roll Half Marathon and Marathon. Obviously, we were very nervous before the race but we knew that all the hard work and preparation up to that point would help us achieve our goal of finishing. Coach Aduddell did a great job in her half marathon training and it showed with her great finish on race day. Coach Aduddell even had enough strength left to win the faculty and staff division of the annual Trinity Turkey Trot on campus only a few days after the race!

Before I can even go into how elated I was to finish the marathon on Sunday I have to tell you about my marathon training because it was such a great experience. Our training team consisted of a group of moms including our cross country coach here at Trinity Jenny Breuer. Coach Breuer attempted to mold our group of rookies into runners by consistently encouraging us to set small goals that would help us be ready for the big day. For me, the hardest part of our training was our Friday long runs in October. One day just two of us from our training group embarked upon the "Tour of San Antonio Run" otherwise known as a 22 mile training run. Caroline my marathon running partner and I encouraged each other throughout the run. Other than a much anticipated and enjoyed stop at the Central Market produce section for free samples around mile 15, we finished our training run unscathed. Immediately after I finished the 22 mile practice run I had to join our team for film study because the run took a little longer than I anticipated. Word had gotten to the team as to why I was a little late. I think some of them did not believe how far I ran but when they saw me walk in the conference room they knew by my appearance that yes coach probably had been running that long! The minute I walked in the door the whole team gave me a standing ovation. I was speechless which most of you know doesn't happen very often. Probably because of my surprise at this reaction or most likely because my body was still in shock from running that far, I quickly made some excuse to head to my office because I thought I might pass out. In my office I composed myself and thought how grateful I am to have a team that would encourage me to reach a goal like that. I also thought about what a great feeling it was to step out of my comfort zone and not be afraid to fail even though I knew running a marathon was going to be tough.

The morning of the race I can not tell you how many times (especially around mile 16 which had us running through a graveyard, seriously, who planned that route!) that I thought about the encouragement my team had shown me back in October. Those thoughts were often the only thing that kept me putting one foot in front of the other. As Coach Breuer, Caroline, and I reached mile 25 on Sunday I began to go over in my mind each training run and all the effort that had gotten us to that point. I was so grateful for all the people that had been a part of my team: my husband Steve, our kids, my family, my running friends, and my team who had all encouraged me along the way. As we got closer and closer to the finish line the thought of quitting was gone and all of my focus was on finishing. I thought this was the best way to let everyone know how much I appreciated their encouragement along the way. The last hundred meters of the race Coach Breuer kept yelling at me to look up and to the right. I was amazed and overwhelmed to see my team in race day volunteer shirts screaming at the finish line. What an accomplishment for me personally to finish a marathon but the highlight of my day was receiving a medal from my team at the end of the race and hearing their cheers!

Of course as coaches we use everything to motivate our team to achieve their goals. Coach Aduddell and I do not have to look far for examples of how a team can help you achieve more than you ever thought possible. We have to only look at the pictures of Sunday and know that if our team can encourage each other this season like they did Coach Aduddell and I this weekend then we will all have a great year! 

Go Tigers!

Coach Bradley

Wednesday, November 4, 2009:

Friday was one those fall days in South Texas when you just want to stay outside as much as possible. Some professors were lecturing outside and the students were enjoying the cloud free sky and 70 degree weather. I was laughing to myself as I thought about our team getting ready to do weights and probably wishing they were outside soaking up some sun as well!

They were expecting another tough day of practice and weights but instead we were going to surprise them with our annual scavenger hunt around campus. Basically we divide the team into two groups and their goal is to find clues all over campus, take pictures at each site, and grab some of their gear along the way while the coaches enjoy riding around in a golf cart watching other students on campus staring at a bunch of laughing basketball players running around outside in their practice gear! It is always funny to watch their competitive streak come out as they strategize about how to beat the other team to the finish line. This year was especially exciting because both teams finished neck and neck so we had to settle it with a dance off. Since both teams were so effective in the dance competition (with special kudos going to our lone senior Alexandra Blake and her worm dance move and our junior transfer Claire Goodell for her ability to wear all her new gear while dancing), the coaches decided that this year’s scavenger hunt would go down as a tie. Special thanks to our assistant coach Lee Aduddell for another amazing and fun race!

The scavenger hunt is a highlight of preseason practice for our team but the highlight for the coaches has definitely been the attitude and effort level of our players. I am so excited about this year’s team because every practice has been extremely competitive but individually each player has improved while pushing others to do the same. Our practice routine each day has been driven by our team’s desire to have a successful season. Although we lost a great player, Krista Prato Matthews to graduation, I feel like our returners are willing to do the best they can to fill that void. The coaches and players are looking forward to the 2009-2010 season!

-Coach Bradley