How Running Can Transform People Outside of Physical Performance

"Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

                                                 -Romans 12:2

Running is more than just a physical activity; it’s a profound journey that offers valuable life lessons and life changing experiences. Each mile on the road can transform our mindset and help us overcome life challenges. Through the rhythm of our footsteps, we learn about perseverance, resilience, and the how to overcome many hurdles in life.

Embracing the challenges of running teaches us that progress takes time and commitment. Every stumble and every victory on the path reflect our personal growth, reminding us that it's not only about reaching the finish line but also about the journey itself.

Reflecting on my journey as a runner and coach, I am amazed by how transformative this experience has been—not only for athletic interests but also for overcoming life challenges in general. Every moment spent on the track shapes a life philosophy and influences other pursuits, providing invaluable insights that have propel personal growth in unexpected ways.

Running transcends mere physical endurance; it emerges as an influential teacher of vital life skills and a means of overcoming internal life challenges.

When approached with intention and strategic planning, running cultivates resilience, discipline, and unwavering perseverance. It nurtures a relentless spirit and a mindset with no limits thinking. 

Moreover, running offers an effective means to regulate emotions in the mental realm and fosters a wealth of other invaluable character traits. Embracing running insights unlocks the potential to transform not just your body but also your mind and way of living.

I will discuss some well-known benefits of running in another chapter. However, I'd like to focus this chapter on the lesser-known but more significant qualities of effective running programs. Some of these overlooked qualities and benefits can provide life-changing and transformative effects for individuals.

I keep cards, letters, and other information from past students and parents that highlight how participating in our programs has helped them. When I consider quitting coaching or retiring from coaching due to various factors, I reread my mission statement and pull out past cards, letters, and thank-you notes. Even a coach needs encouragement at times.

It's rare for parents or students to mention the championships we've been fortunate to win in their thank-you notes or letters. Most people focus on how the running programs have positively impacted their lives, both on and off the cross-country course and track.

While I cannot disclose specific names, I am pleased to share some inspiring real-life examples that demonstrate the remarkable benefits that running programs have provided to student-athletes over the years. Each example is derived from the experiences of multiple individuals who encountered similar transformations or outcomes.

Often, articles in magazines emphasize training techniques, injury prevention, and race results. While these are undoubtedly important topics, good running programs encompass much more just these aspects.

The student and parent insights you are about to read highlight some of the least understood aspects of meaningful running programs. These observations are derived from heartfelt notes from parents, letters, significant meetings, and cherished memories shared by students and parents. I have summarized and rephrased these experiences to enhance clarity and simplicity while preserving the essence and impact of each insight.

Each individual brings their own unique story and experiences to the realm of running, making coaching truly special. As a coach, you encounter and assist people from various walks of life, including diverse socio-economic backgrounds and unique individuals who need tailored plans to achieve their God-given potential in all aspects of their lives—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

I firmly believe that God bestowed each individual with a unique set of DNA for a specific purpose. It is the responsibility of parents, coaches, and teachers to unlock and nurture this God-given potential, tailored to each person’s unique characteristics—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Since no two individuals are alike, it is essential to approach each one with an understanding of their distinct traits to help the best version of themselves that God intended.

The hidden gems outlined below, can be transformative, overshadowing the more traditionally known health and academic of running, as well as the well-known "runner's high" and other advantages that I will explore in the next chapter.

The primary reasons I continue to coach are reflected in the statements below. Coaching is much more than teaching others how to run faster and win championships, although that is part of the journey. Coaching is a way to help others reach their God-given potential, overcoming their unique life challenges in all critical aspects of life.

Not everyone experiences the insights below in a running program. However, these are consistent observations and insights I have encountered over the years from mostly students and some parents in the faith-based programs I've participated in or led in my running and coaching journey.

Insights from Students and Parents:

Faith 

“Running has rejuvenated my religious faith, which I lost before high school.” 

"The insights gained from my runs beautifully reflect the spiritual journeys we all undertake."

“When I run, I pray. It’s my time with God and a chance to work out the challenges of the days."

"Through the running programs, I learned how to be comfortable praying in front of others and for others."

Mitigating Clinical Depression through Running

"Running became a lifeline in my fight against clinical depression. As I hit the pavement, I discovered not only physical strength but also the power to improve my emotional and mental strength. I was able to reduce my medication dosage. Each mile brought hope."

"With every step, running reignited hope and served as a powerful shield against the challenges I faced. It transformed my journey, helping me navigate through the darkest moments and steering me toward brighter days."

Caveat: While I do not claim that running alone can cure mental health challenges, I’ve heard countless individuals share how vital running has been as a powerful tool in their journey toward emotional and mental health wholeness. Often, medication and therapy from qualified sources are necessary, but running can also be an inspiring and uplifting part of the healing journey.

Leadership 

“The leadership skills I developed through my running experiences hold far more value for me than the state championships we achieved.” 

“Participating in state competitions taught me the most invaluable lessons about myself and how to improve my life. State competitions brought out the best in me.”

Self-Confidence 

"Running has transformed into more than just a workout; it has become a powerful journey of resilience during challenging moments. With each mile I conquered, I not only boosted my confidence but also ignited my determination to take charge during difficult times in my career.

“I never thought I could run that fast. I didn’t even think it was possible.” Running opened up my mind to new possibilities about what’s possible in different areas of life.”

ROTC Admission 

“Cross-country and Track and Field truly helped shaped my journey, equipping me to tackle the mental and physical hurdles of the ROTC admission and scholarship process like nothing else could.”

As a parent, cross-country and track and field prepared my child for the rigors of military life preparing them mentally and physically.

ADD and ADHD

“Running has helped me manage ADD and ADHD, providing an outlet and a genuine place of acceptance.”

Learning Styles

“As hands-on learners, life lessons taught by a learn-by-doing approach made more sense in the running programs.”

Stress and Anxiety

“Running helps reduce stress and anxiety, and I'm grateful for a program that allows me to meet up with others consistently. Sometimes, I also enjoy running alone to process the day's problems. Thank you for customizing workouts that also give me the freedom to run independently when needed”.

I will stop here. There are many more quotes I can include in these and other life areas. However, spending time reflecting on the impact that running can have in multiple areas of life is a more productive use of time to complete this chapter.

Life Reflections

All the times and accomplishments fade. What we remember most are the relationships made along the journey, like the ones mentioned above, hands down. Cherish them.

I've coached many individual champions and state championship teams. After a couple of years, those significant victories fade away. Each group you coach and connect with moves on to the next chapter of life, pursuing various endeavors. The next group comes in, and you start all over again. The once vibrant and everyday relationships you formed become part of history.       

Yes, I miss each group. And no, I never get used to people leaving as they move to new chapters of life. It hurts to see people you've helped and cared about for years go, even though it's a necessary loss.     

When I run, at times, the ache of the past surfaces at a local track or a race as I remember specific individuals I’ve been blessed to help along their journeys. Something will trigger a memory of a person I've previously coached. Suddenly, my thoughts are drawn to a memory of that special, unique person.

Ask my wife; I have an uncanny ability to remember the people I've coached, down to their times and places, even 20 or 30 years ago. I don't forget easily.  

My thoughts don't linger on the athletes' times and past performances; if I do think about their running accomplishments, I don’t dwell on that part of their lives for very long.                                                             

The best thing about their times is the memories that are triggered, reminding me of their personalities, the challenges they overcame to reach their goals, and the inspiration they were to me and others. I also think about each person I've coached and what I've learned from them.

You would think that it would be the other way around. A coach is often a teacher and sometimes a teacher of life skills. What is the student to the teacher? Yes, the student is often the teacher. 

For example, a person who lost well over 100 pounds through sheer determination and faith, achieved through running, served as a sort of teacher.

I think about the model this person set for me and how I was taught from that experience never to limit the human spirit. Seeing this person's struggles and overcoming nature changed me and how I coached.

This relationship, along with a couple of similar stories, taught me never to give up on someone unless they genuinely want to walk away.

I think about a young man whose extreme passion for running, which he developed at a young age, rekindled my desire to coach again, help others, and believe that running can forever change a life for the better. His example and story gave me hope that I could help others again.

I think about the brothers and sisters on past teams and how they supported each other in their unique ways. To see sibling relationships in action is a true blessing. There is something extraordinary about coaching kids from the same family.

I remember the letters from kids or their parents about how running helped reduce or mitigate depression, ADD, ADHD, or other areas of emotional distress—the struggles these kids overcame, and their grit and perseverance will always live in my heart. The relationships with these kids are priceless.

I think about the tears from some I've coached who said, "I can't do this, Coach." I just can't!  Yes, you can, I say. Then, through faith, belief, and picking themselves up after they fall, they do it! The best of the human spirit prevails once more. New confidence is born. I love seeing the overcoming nature in others. 

I often reflect on how much my daughter had to overcome in her journey that no one will ever know. I see playgrounds, tracks, and trails where she ran, which triggers memories of overcoming her life challenges. Tears fill my eyes when I'm alone just thinking about it.

Finally, I think about some kids I've coached in the past whose faith in God is so strong; I say to myself, "I want to be just like her/him when I grow up!".

You see, it's not the times and performances that stay deeply embedded in the coach's heart. It's the relationships and positive life changes you see in others along the journey, the overcoming of the human spirit, and the good you see in people you remember most. 

Perhaps my friend, former United States Collegiate Heptathlon Champion Patsy Walker Pointer, said it best: "The relationships gained throughout the world, that still stand today, are the greatest treasures that came out of it all."

Patsy's words resonate with me because they are so very true. Give thanks always for one of God's greatest gifts—each other. Cherish the times you have with people throughout each chapter of life, no matter how challenging the journey with each individual may be. Give people the time and space to change for the better by creating an environment of love, compassion, and a safe place for positive change.

We all desire the same things in life: to be loved, understood, and acknowledged. Utilize your profession to provide these three elements to those you serve. Show compassion to others, attend to their unique needs, and recognize the significance of their role in this life and the impact their story can have on others.

Questions for Prayer and Reflection:

Galatians 6:2 says: "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."                                

The central message of this Scripture is to cultivate compassion and support individuals in navigating their unique life challenges.

Running, when done right, can have far greater meaning than championships that fade in significance or are forgotten over time. It can help transform people in multiple ways if love, compassion, and support of others are part of the journey.

1.     Who do you know who can benefit from running for more than just competition and fast times?

2.     How can you help others make running a safe and lifeline if they struggle with some of the issues outlined in this chapter?

3.     Who can you reach out to in your community to coach your kids, grandkids, foster kids, or others who need tools like running to help process challenging circumstances in their lives?

4.     How can you educate those in the school system and other organizations about the benefits of running, as stated above?