Marathon training has made me a better teacher.

I have been an athlete all my life. I was a competitive swimmer beyond college, and participated in Master's swimming competitions.  About three years ago I embarked on a series of Boot Camp trainings. For three days a week, for an hour and a half, I lifted weights, moved tires, did more situps and pushups than i could count.   I know how to push myself beyond what I think my body can do.  For the last year I have been training for a half marathon.  I could have trained for six  months and still have done well, but doing well is not acceptable. I want to do my best. I want to exceed the limit.  I was interviewed by a local radion station and I told the interviewer that "all of this training has made me a better teacher.  I push my students harder, I push myself harder to be the best teacher I can be. I know that much of winning is mental, and that complacency has no record with success. I also learned that I am only letting myself down if I don't give my workouts 100 percent.  It is the same with teaching.  I teach poorly, the kids dont do well.  And conversely, if they dont push themselves, no amount of my coaching and prodding will make them successful. My marathon is next weekend. I know I can push through to finish in less than 3 hours.  The school year ends in 20 days. But I'm not done teaching.  I'll start again, reading, planning. working things out for the 2011-2012 school year.  Excellence does not allow for rest.