LisaMarie - it would be like the end of the story in a fairy tale. Which for you would mean an incredible new beginning. Based on all your hard work and your commitment to a better and healthier life.

I'm so proud of you, I could cry.

I say go for it!!! Those girls would be blessed to have you as a coach.

Nothing to add except to add my yes vote. Hopefully the kids will be faster than you, that would make them a competitive team. The important thing is that you can support them, help them, listen to them, and assist your DH! Go for it.

Thank you soooo much for your wonderful support and encouragement, everyone!! Have I mentioned how much I love you guys???

It's not set in stone that I'll be the choice for the position, because for all I know, someone else may have his/her eye on it, but my husband plans to tell the athletic director that he wants me to do it. I may not ALWAYS be able to run with the kids. I guess I have this idea that I should do that because my husband always does, but he's not your usual coach, I think. Many coaches kind of sit on the side and tell the kids what to do, but he hates that kind of coach. Well, I plan to be both kinds...haha. I'll run with the kids some, but when they're doing speed workouts, I'll just time them and cheer them on!!!

Also, I plan to make contributions in other ways. They have a team meal every week, so I can organize that with the parents. I can certainly help with paperwork. I already have an idea for setting up a group forum on runningahead.com and having the kids log their runs in there to track their progress (my school is all about getting the kids to do technology-related stuff whenever we can, so this will make me and my husband look good AND help the kids). More than all that, though, I plan on being VERY into the motivation and inspiration side of things.

I don't want to get my hopes up too much about it, because I may not end up in the position. But even if I don't get it, I plan to go out and run with the kids sometimes anyway. Many of the kids have been my students in the past (or will be this upcoming year), and I'm all about supporting them anyway. Plus, this is the first time my husband will be a head coach instead of an assistant, and he can use my support as well. In the spring, he'll be a head track coach too!

Again, I just want to thank you guys for saying such nice things!! It helped me to figure out that I really DO want to do this!

I vote yes!

Lisa, I say go for it. I'm 57. I don't regret the things I have done. I bitterly regret many of the things I did not do. What's the worst you can do, fail? Yeah, so? The real successes in this world say that if your reach never exceeds your grasp, you have no imagination and you aren't really trying. If you don't scare the daylights out of yourself once in a while, you're barely getting out of bed in the morning. Up and at 'em, girl!

Lisa, this is wonderful! I agree with your husband that the sideline coach is not the kind of coach to be. However, you DO have to be able to time them/watch sometimes! I wouldn't worry about not keeping up. Heck, I see your exercise accountability all the time- you just did 11 miles the other day! You're a machine, PERIOD.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You've already accomplished so much... this is just the icing on the cake (okay, I'll stop with the food references now )

I know this advice was directed at Lisa, but I loved it so much I printed it out. THANKS!