Questions 1.13

 Every summer for the last umpteen summers I have worked at a running camp. I know, I went to a camp to work with high school age kids, to help them run. Run. I know.

But this blog was meant for me to express things in running and in life. It has been a mainstay even when I have not been allowed, or able, to lace up and head out the door. It has taught me so much about not only getting one foot in front of the other, but about life, happiness, sadness, and so much about myself than I can even begin to describe and write.

This camp in particular, I have learned more as a counselor than I ever did as a camper, and I continue to learn every year I am honored to go back. I cannot wait for this summer.

Recently I was reminiscing over the last year, as we all tend to do when a new year rolls around. And I was brought back to a moment at camp.

Every year is basically the same. Sunday we introduce everyone, go for a run, get into your groups, start activities, enjoy the first night. Monday is morning run, breakfast, volleyball, foursquare, jenga, lecture, lunch, quiet hour, run, dinner, activities, lecture, food carnival. And so on. Each day is just the same. The only things that change are which teams are doing which activities, and sometimes the lectures. Thursday is a fun day. It is a relatively open day. We run in the morning, we have lectures most of the day, and dinner date, lecture and dance. The lectures throughout the day are separated, boys and girls, for just a bit.

It is actually a lot of fun, we all gather in the room, female counselors, female coaches, and the athletes. We don’t smell that bad at this point in the week, just dirt smeared legs and caked in mosquito repellent. Tired eyes, and doodle-filled notebooks stare at the counselors at the front.

When I was a camper, we went through and had to listen to these long drawn out lectures. Not entirely different from the ones you may have received in health class in middle school, but a little more pertaining to endurance athletes and the like.

Well now, on the counselor side, we have changed it up. And we have made it fun. Or it is fun to me, which I have the maturity of a twelve year old sometimes, so who knows. The girls probably think I am weird. And I take that as a compliment.

We have them write on pieces of paper, everything they may ever want to ask. And this year, I will be bringing a mason jar.

It places anonymity into their hands, and we ask them to ask anything they want.

We get the typical questions with female in athletics, and then we get the pile of questions, of girls either trying to make a joke, or are really, really afraid to ask.

This year was fun. We answered, how to wear your hair while running, and how to wear bright colors, choosing a sports bra.

My favorite was “How do you know when a boy likes you?”

In reflecting on the past, I realized, I wish I had a group that I could go to and write down on those little pieces of paper, and ask the questions I have always been afraid of asking. Or just wanted an opinion.

Like, “How do you know when a boy likes you?”

That's just life I guess, we don't always have those groups. We just have to find the answers on our own. By trial and error in my case. 

we even take bathroom selfies. 

We never found the answer. Amongst 7 female staffers, there was no answer. You just never know. They’re going to need to say something. Or you could be brave and be the one to make the move. 

NOTE: I would definitely be asking more than just that question. I've got a lot to ask.