Update on My Track Team Situation
I wanted to share what happened when I informed my track coach that I would miss the first week of practice due to tech week for my school’s theater group. This caught me by surprise, especially since a friend of mine was in a similar position last year and was still allowed to remain on the team, despite missing the first couple of meets.
I’ve been frustrated with this coach for some time. During the indoor season, she frequently made disparaging comments like, “You’ll never be on varsity,” even though our team is quite small. She seemed to have a double standard—she criticized me for putting in the effort and practicing in a way that worked for me, suggesting it was “too hard,” yet she didn’t say anything to a teammate who was practicing with similar, if not worse, form. Additionally, I was chastised for running alone on the track while the girls on the team were taking breaks, even though I felt capable of maintaining my pace.
Throughout five seasons, I’ve only missed a few practices due to medical issues—around two or three—and I’ve never missed a meet. Meanwhile, other athletes have skipped weeks of practice and meets but were still allowed on the team.
UPDATE: When I highlighted her hypocrisy, she suggested we discuss it in person, but I declined. I made it clear that without a paper trail, I wasn’t comfortable having that conversation, given how she had treated me in the past.
I’m really sorry to hear that you’re going through this. It sounds incredibly frustrating and unfair, especially given your dedication and commitment to the team. It’s tough when you feel like you’re being treated differently compared to others, especially when you’ve consistently shown up and worked hard.
It’s completely valid to want to have a paper trail when discussing your concerns, particularly after the way you’ve been treated. It’s important to advocate for yourself and make sure your voice is heard. If you feel comfortable doing so, perhaps you could consider bringing this up with someone else—like an athletic director or another coach—who might be able to provide support or mediate the situation. Remember, your well-being and mental health are important, and you deserve to be treated with respect and fairness. Hang in there!