Determinded Ladies!

It is said that when something is continuously done from the heart with enough enthusiasm, love, energy and passion, the vibe is felt and breaks down resistance...That is what I was hoping for when I got hired to be the Head Coach at a first time program named "Running & Community Engagement," a scholarship program where 20 High School Senior Girls from all over the 5 NYC Boroughs were chosen from a pool of about 100 applicants. The requirement for this program included an essay, references from a teacher or mentor, the desire to be involved with community service and no prior significant running background.

My job was to design and lead an 8-week program that would enable them to complete their first ever 5k. But that was just the easy part...The first day had arrived and I got to meet the 20 Girls that would become a very important milestone in my life. We introduced ourselves and I could tell that some were excited, some were nervous, some were skeptic and some were confused. I took them right out of their comfort zone and tested them with a 1.5 mile loop of the reservoir. The assistant coach, Zach was in charge of motivating them throughout the run and pretty much being my eyes and ears. We had a talk after that first practice and agreed we had our work cut out for us, but I was sure that the girls would never forget their first day as it was a wake-up call!

I wanted to create a "Team" environment and knowing each other's names was priority. I gave myself 2 days to learn every one's name and then required the very same from them, if not, they were required to do 5 push-ups for each name they missed and they were also given 25 push-ups for anyone that came 1 minute late to class. Needless to say, they were doing a-lot of push-ups the first couple of weeks. So, one day after class, they all got together and took a picture as a group and tagged each other on Facebook! Sure enough, they learned each other's name and were nearly perfect for the next class. What mattered to me was that they were working together as a "Team" to find a solution...

We met 3 times a week (Tuesday & Thursday evenings & Saturday mornings)and for the next few weeks I put them through some very challenging workouts that included calisthenics, plyometrics, speed drills, stairs and hill repeats just to name a few. Most of them had never performed any of these exercises and they cringed at the thought of push-ups and pull-ups. That was perfect, I thought..Each time I named a new exercise, they were never too shy to say, "There is NO WAY I'm Doing that," but my response with out hesitation would always be "YOU MUST!"

There was definitely many different personalities that sometimes shocked me, frustrated me, made me laugh, inspired me and then just sometimes made me dig within myself and my own feelings. This was just not a "Running Program." To me, it was a valuable opportunity to help these young ladies experience the power of belief in themselves; Of giving something a try even if they didn't think they could do it and never giving up on them even if they fought back...

One of their projects within the first couple of weeks was to come up with a team name which in the end was voted "Determined Ladies." I think the name started really resonating with them each time they completed a demanding workout which was pretty much every practice for the first 6 weeks.

The weeks went by and even though it was amazing to see how their fitness was improving, I did not back-off one bit. It was important to me to keep pushing them until the very end. Even though, I could notice them jumping higher, running faster and just an overall progression. In week 7, it was time to re-test them and show them how far they have come...We re-tested them on the 1.5 mile reservoir run as they did on the very first day. The results were nothing short of astounding! 100% of the girls improved and cut between 3-7 minutes off their time.

While recording and comparing their times, I was definitely moved with emotion. From my own personal experience, I knew what it felt like to have a coach push me so hard and believe in me more than me. It was that which made me perform to the best of my ability in amateur boxing and helped me become the first female ever to be voted "Athlete of the Year," by the United States Olympic Committee.

However, I needed to stay strong as their big moment was still awaiting. I gave them each a high five for a job well done and did point out how far they have come. We still had a week left of workouts before their big 5k. The big day was suppose to be on Saturday, August 27th; the day before Hurricane Irene was suppose to hit NYC, but the City of NY cancelled ALL events including our 5k. I was truly disappointed at first, but then realized, it was such a great metaphor for what truly happens in life. We can plan all we want, but life happens and we have to "roll with the punches," readjust and keep pressing forward.

I had to re rally the girls for an extra week of workouts and found another 5k the following weekend. The extra week of workouts was not suppose to be brutal, but instead, focus on maintaining what they had built over the past 8 weeks. On September 10, 2011, "Determined Ladies" ran and completed the Continental Breakfast 5k successfully! I waited for each and everyone of them as they crossed the finish line placing a finisher's medal around their neck with the biggest smile ever.

This was truly an unforgettable and rewarding Summer that has left and amazing impression in my heart. Thank You "Determined Ladies" for allowing me to coach you. My hope is that you will always remember this program during any times of difficulties and know that you can do ANYTHING, if you just give it a try. YOU are your own hero and Don't ever let anyone tell you "You Can't." Everything you need is already inside. You all were definitely worth the effort!

As a special treat that just added to the emotion, my 13 yr old niece was inspired by the "Determined Ladies" to also participate in her very first 5k with them. Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm and I was ever so proud that it rubbed off on so many wonderful people this summer!

So for now, my mission was accomplished...When you genuinely want to inspire and get through to someone, it takes dedication, commitment and never ending belief and regardless of age, gender or race, the barriers will fade. It's faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living!

"Face Your Fears, Live Your Dreams!"

Much Love,
Patricia "Patty Boom Boom" Alcivar
www.patriciaalcivar.com