It is easy for me to list the coaches who made a difference in my life as a runner. I am proud of their credentials...Mike Hodges: Coached me as a youth while coaching track at South Western Oregon Community College.
Phil Pursian: My high school coach -- his photo here is with Steve Prefontain. Phil and his wife also were strong Christians and members of the Foursquare Church in Coos Bay. In 1996 Phil had 3 former high school runners competing in the Olympic Trials Marathon.
John Lodwick: I met him while I was in high school. A 2:12 marathoner and a pastor in Bend, Oregon. He coached me during my best years as a marathon runner.
Tom Cotner: My current coach who gives selflessly of his time and knowledge. Holds track workouts at Greenlake come rain or shine every Wednesday night and Saturday morning. TOM COTNER recently won the Scott Hamilton award for leadership at the association level in the area of distance running.
Coaches provide us with a model for leadership development and mentoring. World class runners have world class coaches. The best musicians usually have the best teachers. Without these kind of influencers, spiritual, athletic, artistic and vocational development can stagnate. Lately I have been reading a book on coach Bill Bowerman (Bowerman and the Men of Oregon) - and it has made me think a lot more about this subject.
So find a coach and be a coach...Is there a"coach" who has made a difference in your life? What are the qualities that made them good at what they do?
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