I began running more than four decades ago and went from being a top junior runner in England to being one of the best in the world for a brief time. I have run in international competition for three different nations.. England, Ireland and USA. But I never thought I would ever coach other runners. I even went so far as to say to my coach in college that I would NEVER be a coach.
The opportunity to coach came up while I was working at Edmonds Woodway High School as a teacher's assistant monitoring an autistic boy. The track coaches knew who I was and invited me to apply for the position of distance coach of the track team. The night before my first day of practice I was a wreck. I was sure I couldn't possibly do this. So I headed to practice with my Jack Daniels.. really!! That is Jack Daniel's book on coaching. The kids seem to warm to me quickly.. must be the British accent. Even the boys who had had some success with their previous coach were willing to listen to a woman who had run faster than many of them ever would! It turned out to be the most rewarding experience of my running career. I made some wonderful friends from the kids I coached. I've gone to about five of their weddings so far, helped my favorite athlete buy a house and seen at least 2 of them become parents (not the actual birth I might add!!).
I no longer coach high school but I do have a running group that is growing in numbers. Today I experienced my favorite part of coaching.. a runner asking to do more!! Susan heard about Janet's and my workout for tomorrow and as we left our morning practice .. she said "can I have the workout too!!" I love it when people are excited to do whatever it takes to improve. Susan is an adult woman who constantly allows the child in her to come out and play. We should all be like Susan!!
I have found one of my passions in life in the "art of coaching". It really is a joy to see others get excited about fitness and running in particular.
Want to join a dedicated running group.. dedicated to enjoying running that is!? We meet at the Greenlake track in Seattle on Saturday mornings at 8:30 a.m. Then the fun begins.
Happy miles my friends.
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