Immediately following the East Valley Open, Coach Istvan took all the girls outside for a team meeting. After expressing his pride in us (in his best Eastern European way, of course :) ), he informed us that it would be his final day at EVCF. He expressed that certain stressors of the job were becoming too much for him and he didn't feel he was capable of being the best man he could be for his family or for his athletes...and morally, he didn't feel he could continue under those circumstances. His athletes and family deserved better than that.
Well, to make a long story short...that left me with a huge decision to make. Stay at EVCF without Istvan or follow Istvan if and wherever he may be training? Istvan never once recruited or baited me or any athlete to follow him. He only mentioned that he would still be coaching AFTER he was directly asked. After I learned the details of his new arrangement, I knew logically that it would be in my best athletic interests to follow him. But emotionally, I felt so trapped. I love EVCF and the people there. It is a great environment with so much support. In the end, I chose Istvan. I have set some really big goals for this year, and I truly believe he is the best one at this time to help get me there. It was a hard decision, but once it was made, I was immediately at peace and ready to get back to work.
Istvan kept the first few days at the new place fairly light and not too intense. We both needed our hearts and minds to heal and adjust a little. But, by the end of the week, we were rocking and rolling again. It is going to be a VERY good thing. I am getting more attention and assistance than I ever could have hoped for at EVCF. And...I am starting to realize, that what I was exposed to at EVCF with his coaching was really only the tip of the iceberg. He has much more experience and knowledge than I ever could've imagined. I feel like I'm simultaneously getting a lesson on the history of weightlifting with each training session. I feel blessed to have this opportunity to be guided by such a master. And I trust that he will do all he can to keep me safe and healthy.
Speaking of healthy, I have continued to be plagued by this back/rib/shoulder issue. It is getting worse, not better, and has limited my training this week. I have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon in the morning to check things out. Today, it actually feels a little bit better, so this is encouraging. Keeping fingers crossed that it's nothing serious and that I can get back to work (full time) sooner rather than later.
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