the need for white bread

TK was our coach at Bishop Kenny High School in my senior year.  

We had such a great team for so many years.  We loved each other and come to think of it - we needed each other.  To do our best and to reach our goals we needed each other. 

It was 1999. Again we had big team goals and I had a big individual goal for the state cross-country meet.

Executing

.

Our 4th, 5th, and 6th girls were going to be key factors in how our team scored, if we won, and if we could take over a state record from Plant High School.  Let's be honest - every team member's points counted.  It always seemed close.
(Which by the way - Plant has continued to dominate and again just won another State Championship earlier this month!)

Coach was important and although I was intrinsically motivated, I wanted and needed that extra support.  Cross-county is hard as heck and all support, cheering, and recognition is helpful.  Coach had been important all season and I knew she, too, could help all of us out on that day.  She told us that after the start she would be near the half-mile mark into the race and also at the 2-mile mark.

I specifically asked her to cheer something very unmistakable.  I wanted something my ear would pick up on, was specifically meant for me, and it would be unmistakable that it was her.  It would remind me that she's as in-tune and was also doing anything and everything she could at that moment.  It would remind me how each of us has to execute our own role as best possible.  

I knew that when I heard it it would give me a boost.  Never did I ever wonder if she might forget me asking her to cheer "White Bread!" when she saw me at the 2mi mark.  I knew I could count on her even when the race was tight to be specific and on-point just like the rest of us.  We all knew we could all count on each other.  We needed each other.