Running a mile with MJ

The title of this post may seem a little strange, but please know several things:
1. MJ stands for Michael Jackson
2. I know he has passed on from this life.
3. No, I did not really run a mile with the King of Pop.
4. No, this isn't so easy too understand or explain unless you hang with middle schoolers!

One of my jobs at FPD is that I get to coach middle school cross country (xc). It is one of the best things I have gotten to do in life. There are low expectations of me, the kids, etc. All we do is great and marveled at. And to top it off, I live and coach in middle GA where Football is king and not too many people pay attention to what is happening in the world of XC. Which is understandable. At times, I am not too sure what is happening in the world of XC. Where exactly do the runners disappear to after the highly, overly climatic start? Why are they (and me) out here running in this insane heat? Why do good running shoes cost about the same as one week worth of groceries? How do you teach someone to run? Isn't it a human skill?How come boys cross country shorts have to be so short? Why do guys with hairy chests do about the hair at the top of their jerseys? (Last question, not a problem for my middle school team.) How is one to altitude train when they live at about 900 feet above sea level? Ok, enough with the questions, right?
So...to get to MJ. The kids on my team have not forgotten that the King of Pop passed away last summer. In fact, two runners reminded me just yesterday during an intense track workout that they were able to complete the workout because MJ helped them. I realize them may sound a little odd, but as the overly used phrase goes, "Welcome to my world....". This was also mentioned to me after our 5 mile run last Tuesday. Just know, every practice, meet, workout, etc that MJ is with us. Not his music, his weirdness, his intricacies, etc, but MJ. The man.
This current XC season is yet to be determined. Our first meet is Saturday. I am not sure how we will do. At times, I think we will do well. Other times, I think there is little hope, but that can't really be, can it? How can a team go home with the head down after any race when MJ is riding in the team bus both to and from every meet. I know the answer. It is impossible. All you have to remember is that...."You are not alone....I am here with.....Never far apart...Always close to MJ's heart...." So, we keep running into the heat, short shorts, over sized jerseys, members who haven't yet had the deodorant talk with the parents, wrong shoes, etc. because MJ is at least running the warm-up lap with us and he said we could make it and that practice was going to be easy.