Literary detour

Michelle showed up for our usual check-in about her post-race recovery plan. I had my notebook ready, questions about how her legs felt, whether she wanted to try some cross-training. Instead she spotted my beaten-up copy of The Kite Runner on the coffee table and asked if I’d read it.

Literary detour

Two hours later we’re still sitting on my living room floor talking about guilt and redemption and whether Hassan really forgave Amir. Michelle grew up in El Paso and has some thoughts about immigration that I’d never considered. I’m learning more about her in this conversation than I have in months of training sessions.

Finding the exact passage that started it all.

Jake walked in from work to find us completely absorbed, the book open between us like we’re studying for finals. He just smiled and disappeared into the kitchen. Sometimes the best coaching conversations happen when you’re not trying to coach at all.