Headmaster Blog, “Relax & Go”
Headmaster Blog
“Relax and go!”
In 1956 my father was a world-class middle distance runner from Canada, who ran for NYU and the NYAC. During my running days in high school and at UNC-Chapel Hill, the family cheer, “Relax and go!” would boom out of my father’s mouth as I headed down the backstretch of a track, or through the trails of a cross-country course. As my coach, the familiar cheer was meant to encourage and instruct.
The gun has gone off, the race has begun and I trust that your child has gotten off to a good start!
As we come to the end of the second week of school, I trust that your family is beginning to find the right pace, and the right rhythm. As a former runner and coach, pacing, contact and position are critical components to the strategic and tactical elements of racing.
Let’s encourage our students to focus and set the right pace for the academic year. This is not a sprint—it is a cross-country race, complete with hills and valleys and the need to create a manageable pace that is sustainable. Go out too fast and you will struggle to finish. Go out too slow and the leaders of the field may leave you in the dust—struggling to regain contact and position. Let’s help our sons and daughters find the right pace for their varied pursuits as student-academicians, athletes, and artists. Let’s encourage them to use their God-given gifts and talents to maximize their potential as they begin this academic year.
The gun has gone off . . . find your pace, stay in contact with others, protect your position as you strive to do your best!
“Relax and go!”
KJL