Ask the Coach
Curfew broken Hey, Coach! I have a friend who had a midnight curfew this past Saturday night, and he was late by about 45 minutes.
His parents were sitting up and waiting for him when he got home. His dad hollered at him so loud that I heard him on the next street over.
My friend said he didn’t even get a chance to apologize or explain why he was late.
Now, my friend is grounded until the end of the school year, and I know he had a legitimate reason for being late because I was with him.
This is our senior year, and we had big plans for some upcoming weekends.
Now, he can’t even go to the prom. Don’t you think this is totally unfair?
Signed…Best Friend
Dear Best Friend: Your buddy has been welcomed to “life,” and, sometimes, life can be a little tough.
Your friend may better understand that if/when he becomes a parent and has children.
Does the Coach think this punishment is a little steep? Without knowing the history, there are too many unknowns to answer that question intelligently, so the Coach will pass on that.
Not being able to attend the prom, however, may be another matter.
Regarding this special lifetime occasion, the Coach does believe that the penalty appears to be a little too steep, especially if this is an isolated incident, which is part of the unknown.
The Coach is just glad that you are both OK. The next two months will fly by, and it will be summer before you know it. Your friend’s parents are obviously trying to instill some discipline and respect in their son, and the Coach fully supports that, although the Coach would suggest that there are alternative ways to get a message across without screaming outside in the middle of the night. That’s never a good idea.
Your friend is being held accountable for his actions, or lack thereof. It is suggested that every effort should have been made by your friend, and you could have encouraged him, to contact his parents when he knew that he was going to be late.
Perhaps, then, the Coach could have seen more of your side.
Lastly, the Coach would suggest that your friend sit down with his parents and communicate with them regarding this incident, now that the “emotion of the moment” has died down.
An apology is also in order, and then he could see if there is any room for any type of negotiation to be able to attend the prom.
There’s no guarantee, but he may never know if he doesn’t ask.
In the big picture of things, while your friend may not see this as just a bump in the road, perhaps later he will come to realize that many good things may come about from this experience.
Hopefully, something was learned, and, hopefully, he will be able to attend the prom. The Coach wishes him good luck.
Runner’s high
Hey, Coach! Although I don’t think I have ever experienced a “runner’s high,” I have heard about it.
I was wondering how much truth there is to this. If it is true, what causes this phenomenon?
Signed…A Slow Jogger
Dear Slow Jogger: Great question. The Coach believes it correct to say that many runners will emphatically support that there is definitely a runner’s high.
This is a euphoric state that is sometimes reached after a long period of running and/or aerobic activity.
Biochemicals called endorphins are released in the brain, and these endorphins boost one’s mood and happiness.
Also, if one believes in a runner’s high, there may be a better chance of experiencing it.
Coach’s Comment: Keep away from people who try to squash your dreams and belittle your ambitions. Small, insecure people do that, but the really great people try to make you feel that you, too, can become something great.
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You can contact the Coach via email at askthecoach2003@yahoo.com.