So many of them are leaving for college...

I ran with my goddaughter Jamie last weekend. She texted me at the Danville Mustang Stampede soccer tournament, where goddaughter Galen and I were watching my Darcy and her Marin FC team tear it up. She asked if I could run the Dipsea trail with her to discuss her impending journey to UPenn to join their cross-country and track program. So many miles, too many miles, these young women think they need to run to be successful.

Truth is, Jamie's mile times rock and she is going to be competitive if she stays healthy, sharp, and doesn't burn out. We talked a lot about the pure joy of running. Run for that and you'll be fine. Yes, eat right, get your sleep, listen to your body, push hard, dig to another level, but remember the pure joy you felt when you ran your first mile.

Just asked the girls on our Facebook fan page how they feel when they play their favorite sport, in 3 words. Here are a few highlights, just now in the last 23 minutes with 28 comments and 10 likes:

I am unstoppable

I LOOOOOVE IT!

Invincible, proud, myself

Happy as hekk !

BEAST, invincible, free

powerful, happy, concentrated

Unbreakable, amazing, sooooooooooooo HAPPY!! I looooove soccer!

Relaxed. Happy. Free.

Myself. Amazing. Unstoppable.

Aggressive. Ready. Focused.

Can Accomplish Anything

YES INDEED.

Being a teenager is stressful enough without your sport adding to it. Your sport is what grounds you and helps you keep in perspective all the crap that goes with the transition from middle school to high school to college to life beyond. Your sport will be the common denominator. Your teammates will be your friends for life. Keep playing.

Maddie goes to USC next week, entering their music program where songwriters and performers like her will have the coaching and the exposure they need to grow to the next level. She's the next Sheryl Crow, mark my words.

(And keep running, Maddie! Our run on the beach over spring break in Hilton Head was memorable and I am sure that you will handle all the pressures of college with this time you give your head to clear, letting new thoughts in. New songs and melodies. New ways of looking at life.)

The girls who inspire vivoGS are like solar power. I'm so proud of all of them.