XC Coach Comment- Inappropriate?

OP, perhaps the coach was addressing race performance and not weight. Did you ask him for a clarification before breaking out the pitchfork?

PS: Picking a fight with letsrun is always a losing proposition.

I was a coach, I get his anger but I wouldn't have sent that text.

BUT- I had very good teams but the only parents I had any issues with were the parents of "less fit" kids.

Kids wouldn't put in the work and their parents blamed me. Some even sent me Runner's World articles.

A few even told me that they broke 2 hours in the half marathon so if I need help or someone to run with the kids they'd be there for me.

Lighten up.

Hmm, there were kids running 30 seconds slower because they were less fit, imagine that. Nothing wrong with that comment.

The real problem here is that the mom is less fit to be a parent.

You're a backseat driver, nobody likes you and nobody is going to take you seriously simply because you Googled a few basic nutrition articles.

Is this Cathy loves to run 14’s mom?

Here's another one - wrote:

get a grip, mom wrote:

I am a coach, and i take my kids for pizza, arby's, mcd's, texas roadhouse, etc. ALL THE TIME! For most of them, it will be the thing they remember most about the team.

I'd probably remember that too, and get away from there as quickly as possible.

Yes, that and being thankful for not having having to eat at Texas Roadkill once leaving the team.

Relax. wrote:

OP, perhaps the coach was addressing race performance and not weight. Did you ask him for a clarification before breaking out the pitchfork?

PS: Picking a fight with letsrun is always a losing proposition.

Well, that really just depends on the person's perspective and intent. Given that most people here don't give a $hit and are looking for some fun juvenile entertainment, it's a winning proposition really.

Use it as a learning moment with your child. As she grows older and enters the real world, she's going to receive a lot more critical feedback than that in her life and this is a good moment to teach her how to not take things so seriously and not let people's comments be so hurtful. Remember this "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me...."

Teach her that. The world is not fair, people need to learn this as quickly as possible.

Old Timey Guy wrote:

Use it as a learning moment with your child. As she grows older and enters the real world, she's going to receive a lot more critical feedback than that in her life and this is a good moment to teach her how to not take things so seriously and not let people's comments be so hurtful. Remember this "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me...."

Teach her that. The world is not fair, people need to learn this as quickly as possible.

Mom has not learned that lesson yet. We don't know what the daughter thinks. I would not be surprised if she just wishes her mother would grow up and get over it.

Good coaches know how to make positive comments relative to workouts and races. To say times were slower than before is not very appropriate when talking about cross country; some courses are much slower than others. Even track races can vary based on weather conditions. Sounds like this coach needs some understanding about being a coach.

hog wrote:

Good coaches know how to make positive comments relative to workouts and races. To say times were slower than before is not very appropriate when talking about cross country; some courses are much slower than others. Even track races can vary based on weather conditions. Sounds like this coach needs some understanding about being a coach.

I would hesitate to second guess the coach without more context. Overbearing parents are one of the worst things that can happen to a high school team. Fortunately, 99% of sports parents are supportive and understanding.

you are not a 16 year old, but most likely you are a nerd. get over yourself.

Here's another one - wrote:

get a grip, mom wrote:

I am a coach, and i take my kids for pizza, arby's, mcd's, texas roadhouse, etc. ALL THE TIME! For most of them, it will be the thing they remember most about the team.

I'd probably remember that too, and get away from there as quickly as possible.

beat it, geek. go hand out with your nerdy middle aged friends over kale and spinach.

When the coach says times are 30 seconds slow he may be saying as in don’t worry if you ran a slower time because of the conditions and/or course. And so parents are not wondering why their kids ran slower

It sounds like you are not cut out for parenting a child in the real world. I suggest moving to an underground bunker in an isolated area so you won’t be offended and triggered. It will be good for you and also good for everyone else.

heres the thing wrote:

you are not a 16 year old, but most likely you are a nerd. get over yourself.

you are what you eat mr mcsludge

XCMomma wrote:

Wow, I never expected to be bashed and insulted. My daughter trains extremely hard, throughout the summer and the winter. I just expressed to you that instead of leaving the race, with her ankle in such bad shape, she continued on so that she could finish. She loves running. I have only ever tried to impart to her what's important to put into her body for fuel. I am not anything like the other moms on the team who are constantly comparing their daughters to others. I am so sorry that asking for your opinion led to such negativity.

And, rice krispie treats? The top state contenders, on both the boys and girls team, refused them because they know they're garbage for their bodies, in the recovery stage after a race.

You are obviously not a distance runner.

I eat at least 2 rice krispy treats a day and can kick all of the girls on your team asses in a 5k

"Fit" does not necessarily have to refer solely to issues of weight and eating habits. He more likely meant it as a descriptor for how well-trained they are at this point in the season. Sounds like an overreaction

Losing weight will make the girls faster. Running more will make them faster. Getting more sleep will make them faster. Eating better will make them faster. Running faster workouts will make them faster. All of those things make a runner more fit. If this crazy mom doesn't think fitter runners are faster, why practice or do the other things that make you faster? Just show up for the race.