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Noah blinked slowly. Hardly able to believe what had just been asked of him. “Could you repeat that?”
“I was wondering if you’d coach me for the next track meet.” Tyler said.
So he hadn’t misheard the jock. “I think you’ve taken one too many knocks to the head.” He replied, beginning to walk towards his locker.
“No I haven’t! You’re super organized and good at scheduling things. That’s what I really need.” Tyler explained.
Noah lifted a hand to his head in exasperation. “You realize I don’t know anything about sports?”
“You don’t need to. It’s track. I’m running around in a big circle,and they’re timing it. That’s it. All you need to do is time me, schedule practices, and help me run faster.” the jock said.
“But why me? If it’s so easy, why ask me to coach you instead of literally anyone else?” Noah asked.
“Again, you’re organized. I need someone organized to make sure I practice enough and record my times. You’re like one of the only people I know who is super organized.” Tyler told him.
“And who are the others?” Noah asked.
“Courtney and Harold. Courtney scares me, and Harold…well I think you’re a better choice.” the jock explained.
“You mean Harold’s annoying.” Noah nodded.
“I mean…” Tyler trailed.
“It’s okay, you can say that Harold is annoying. Everyone does.” the cynic smirked.
“Yeah… So will you do it?”
Noah sighed. Did he really want to do this? He hates sports. Like loathes them. At the same time though Tyler is right. He is good at organizing. And he knows that management is something he can do.
What seals the deal is the look in Tyler’s eye. He’s practically begging him to help, and Noah does enjoy when people beg. “Fine. When's the track meet?”
“In two weeks.” Tyler said.
“Okay. We can start tomorrow after school. I need to get a timer and clipboard.” Noah agreed.
“Why after school?” Tyler asked.
“Because I’m not waking up earlier than I have to.” The cynic smirked.
Noah got a stopwatch and clipboard. Sure he could use a computer, but that would require him to take up precious space for Tyler’s track records. Then he did a little research on recording race times. If the track was multilap, he should record each lap individually and then write the total time. This would help him understand where Tyler’s energy started to wane.
The next day Noah went through his normal schedule. He still can’t quite believe he is going to coach Tyler, and that Tyler actively wanted him to. Surely there was a better person to do it? In fact, if he’s on the track team, shouldn’t his coach be doing this? Unless, Tyler wanted extra practice? That could very well be the case.
At any rate, the end of the school day came all too soon, and Noah sighed. He was meeting Tyler at his locker. Tyler had suggested they meet at the track, but Noah doesn’t actually know where that is. Before you say anything, half the school doesn’t even know where the library is and he does.
“I really appreciate you doing this Noah.” Tyler smiled.
“Whatever, don’t get too used to it. So, how many laps is this race anyway?” Noah asked.
“I signed up for the 800 meter run. That’s two full laps around a standard track.” the jock explained.
“Fine.”
Once they reached the track Noah was surprised to find there were a few other groups also there. “How many people are getting extra practice in?”
“Extra practice?” Tyler frowned. “This is the only practice I’m getting.”
Noah was confused. “So your coach isn’t giving you practice?”
“You are my coach?” the jock said.
“I mean your team coach.” Noah pointed out.
“Oh. I’m not on the track team. Anyone can sign up for a track meet.” Tyler explained.
Oh. He supposed that made sense. He was wondering how someone as accident prone as Tyler was on the track team.
“Right. Well I guess the first thing I should do is watch you do a lap. Just to see where you are.” Noah decided. “You can run from here.”
Noah didn’t bother timing this first run. He was more interested in what Tyler was doing. Noah isn’t the most knowledgeable about running, but he knows Tyler isn’t doing it right. At least not for competitive purposes. For one thing, he was kind of slumped over. He also tripped about halfway through the race.
“So how was that?” The jock asked.
Noah sighed and rubbed his temples. “I have my work cut out for me.”
They continued out the session with Noah recording Tyler’s times. It was not looking great. So when he got home he looked up proper running form and by the time they started practice the next day he was feeling pretty good.
“Okay Tyler the first thing you’re doing wrong is looking at the ground. You need to keep your head upright and in line with your shoulders.” He began moving Tyler’s head into the right position. “
“Your shoulders need to be upright, so no more slumping over.” Tyler straightened upwards.
“When you run, your arms should be at a ninety degree angle.” He continued. Tyler gave him a confused look. Right, the jock probably didn’t know what a ninety degree angle looked like. So his helped arrange his arms too.
“Your hands should be relaxed. I actually think you got that one down.” Noah continued.
“Again back straight. Most energy will come from your core. Your hips should lean into the run.” He said, helping Tyler with that.
“Knees above the center of your legs, and make sure you push off with your feet.” Noah finished.
“Wow. I didn’t know so much went into running right.” Tyler said.
“You and me both.” Noah muttered. “Anyway before we start timing let’s do a light run around the track so I can see how well you do form wise.”
Tyler began his run and while he wasn’t perfect, obviously, he was doing better. Noah for his part called out when Tyler was making mistakes. “Eyes off the ground, shoulders back, back straight, I don’t want to see those arms slip from position!”
After the light jog, Noah recorded his times again. They were much better than last time. That was good. They did a few more of these and ended the session.
Over the next two weeks they continued. Noah kept checking Tyler’s running form and helped improve where he was lacking. Tyler for his part was listening to him well, and took to the training with an eagerness that Noah rarely saw in people.
As it turned out, coaching Tyler was a little like training his dog. Calling out orders, helping with things he was struggling with, giving encouragement where needed. It was actually kind of fun, and watching Tyler was starting to cause some feelings within him. Noah can’t decide if it’s pride or something more.
By the time of the track meet, Tyler’s times had improved tenfold and his form was far better. Noah watched as Tyler ran, keeping up with the other racers surprisingly well. In fact, he was actually within the upper half.
Until the end that was, Tyler tripped and everyone ended up finishing before him. Noah felt bad, but it wasn’t Tyler’s fault. He was clumsy.
He expected the jock to be down, but he wasn’t. “You’re not upset?” He asked.
“Of course not! I got to compete, and that’s enough for me!” Tyler cheered. “And this was a lot better than last time. I didn’t have a coach then.”
Noah couldn’t help but smile. “So, I take it I did a good job?”
“You did great! Next track meet I want you to train me again! I bet I can do even better with your help.” The jock beamed.
A warm fuzzy feeling welled up inside of Noah. He’s not sure what it is exactly, but it’s nice. “How about we go out to eat to celebrate? My treat.”
“Yeah!” Tyler cheered as he began to run towards Noah’s car.
“Back straight and eyes forward Tyler!” Noah called.
“Thanks coach!” The jock called back.
Noah chuckled. If you’d told him two weeks ago that he’d not only make a good coach, but actually enjoy it he’d never believe you.