Remember that scene in “Miracle on 34th Street” where the woman thanks the Macy’s manager for Kris Kringle’s recommendation that she go to the Acme Toy Company on West 46th street for a toy her son wanted for Christmas that Macy’s didn’t have?
(Here’s the link if you need a reminder.)
Well, that pretty well sums up how I think ultrarunning coaches should interact with one another. And I think they mostly do.
I told you all David Roche was nice enough to take me on as a coaching client after my asthma disaster at the JFK 50 last November. I talked with Ian about it beforehand and he takes the Kris Kringle long view as well. I’m also pretty sure he recognized how his confidence in me as part of the coaching team might be shaken if I filled my training log with honest notes about sleep and eating and stress and other responsibilities. (Hi Ian!) And as that’s necessary info for good coaching, and I wanted accountability and an objective opinion, I started working with David.
And David is a great coach and mentor. For me, he is just the right mix of irreverent cheerleader and expert.
I would not have run well at Tussey if I had not run so consistently since last December. And I would not have run so consistently without believing someone cared whether I got out and did a workout. Certainly his posts about Megan’s 3am speed work robbed me of a lot of good excuses.
So thank you, David!
And thanks for making me a better coach by showing the power of expressed excitement for others.
And thanks to Ian for letting me be part of the team he’s put together and being able to coach folks. Best job after donut tasting.
Merry Christmas Everybody!