The First Step | Coach Dusty

Coach Dusty with son Caleb.

30 years ago this spring I took my first step. Well not exactly, but it was my first step as a competitive runner.

Our motivations to start may come from very different places. For me, my best friend was an amazing runner, he ran track and cross country and I figured if I joined the team he and I could hang out more. Little did I know my first step would lead me to learn so much.

Sure, running has its obvious benefits; better health, strength, endurance, etc. But what does it really provide? Here are some things that stand out over the last 30 years.

• Community: the people I am closest too and have stayed friends with had a connection through running
• Nature: its scientifically proven that when humans experience nature regularly they are happier and healthier
• Perseverance: no question running teaches you how to persevere through bad weather workouts, the pain involved in pushing your body beyond its comfort and probably most importantly improvement only comes from being consistent
• Respect: take a step back and look at the sport of Track & Field and Cross Country it truly is like no other;
  • after a hard fought race you'll see competitors high fiving and congratulating each other on a great race
  • boys and girls training together, race together - you don't see that in any other sport
• Support
  • I learned early on you warm-up as a team and cool-down as a team. And here is an amazing thing that my coaches instilled in me that I carry forward with any team I coach. We do our warm-ups and cool-downs on the race course (when allowed) so that we can cheer for the other racers - not just our team.

The list goes on and on....I hope you take from this that with one simple step into the running community you are joining a community that will impact your life in meaningful ways and will be there for you for life. By the way - my best friend and I celebrate 40 years of friendship this year and we spend most of our time running, mountain biking and being in nature with our families.

GO HAWKS!

Coach D

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