What to lop. Where to lop. When to lop. How to lop.
These are the questions. And only a skilled lopper can answer.
Bonsai!
I’ve got my shears out. Tenderly.
Until we find out otherwise, Nebraska Run Guru Elite’s top female marathoner is Amber Sargent. Her 2:56 at Boston a jumping off point, first marathon under my coaching.
She and Jessica Pape and Brianna Adams are headed up to Twin Cities in just a few short weeks. Jess looking to join the sub 3 club. And young Brianna, 26.2 debutante and excellent student, don’t be surprised if she goes 2:50 or better.
This is where it gets tough. Amber has been doing the Good Work. Her knee is also pitching her fits. Leadership. That’s where I step in. And gently, ever so slightly, prune her back. With the goal of developing a stronger, more solid runner as a result. She’ll now accompany Jess & Bree in a Team Leader capacity. Her experience in major races to benefit our less seasoned ladies. Was it difficult for her to accept my decree that she not run? Yep. Does she understand that it will only help her come next spring? Yep. Does she plan on winning the 2016 Lincoln Marathon in under 2:45. Yep.
And sometimes, on rare occasions, one must be a little more heavy handed with the loppers.
I survey the surrounding landscape with an eye on the future. Little seedlings that I carefully tended or at least had high hopes for. Many of them. How do they fit into the grand design? Is there still hope for blossoms next spring. If the Bar None has been wildly successful this year I’m still in the learning stages. Biggest lesson of 2015?
Spacing. Not becoming overcrowded. Adequate sunlight and air circulation between specimens. Overgrown masses leading to claustrophobia, strangulation, decay, and demise. Clouding the clear picture of a well thought out plan. Room to grow, this then the key to flourishing.
I’m after only a few, the Best of the Best.
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