“One piece of log creates a small fire, adequate to warm you up, add just a few more pieces to blast an immense bonfire, large enough to warm up your entire circle of friends; needless to say that individuality counts but teamwork dynamites.” (Jin Kwon)
Getting my first coaching certification over ten years ago was something I felt called to do for my own wellbeing and personal growth, so I could gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of how to support myself – and eventually others – on the road of life through running.
From the very beginning, I sensed a little fire inside of me that needed to be stoked. And over the years that followed, I continued to seek ways to keep it burning bright so it would not only nourish me but reach others as well.
Share the light and the warmth, so to speak. Make a bigger impact by following my passion, striving to learn and improve, and helping others as both coach and friend. It has been wonderful and I have grown so much. I love what I do.
About a year ago, I began to notice a little voice inside my head and heart nudging me to share in the coaching journey somehow. I wasn’t sure what that would look like though, or who I would take this on with. So I sat with it and explored what was brewing inside, asking myself questions and tossing thoughts and ideas around with my husband (oh the many hats he wears!). I’ve always enjoyed collaborating – teamwork is in fact dreamwork for me. I am a believer in that adage “together everyone achieves more” as much as I also am fiercely independent when it comes to many aspects of life. I trusted I would know when and if it was right.
At the same time that these thoughts began to stir, I was spending more and more time getting to know my friend Amy. We’d known one another for several years, but last summer I started coaching her (an awesome honor) and with the pandemic we found our schedules synching up more than they ever had – miles upon miles were shared and right along with them the connection we had was strengthened with every step. Amy and I are on the same page with a lot of things, including the fact that we are both passionate (and some might argue, super nerdy) about running — from shoe and gear tech obsessions to pro athlete super-fanning to understanding recent training science to race tactics and the importance of rest days and regular PT exercises, to listening to and honoring your body, to effort being more important than pace, etc etc –the list goes on, and on. We also both care deeply about and want to do our part to help others, including one another. Amy and I push each other to be compassionate with ourselves and to be brave and bold. We make one another better at sport and also just as people.
Amy would be the perfect person to stoke the fire with – she would make an amazing coach and be so much fun to work with.
On a run one day we were talking and I told her what was on my mind. I felt strongly that she would be a wonderful coach – she has SO much experience and knowledge through her own running journey and I was witnessing it firsthand as her coach. Amy is wise and strong – a hard worker and a smart worker – she is kind, caring, trustworthy and open. And she listens. There are many qualities innate to her personality that make her a natural as a coach and a leader – things you can’t really learn in a classroom or from a book. It turned out, Amy had wondered about this path for herself and a little encouragement was all she needed to take the leap — she decided to dive in and went for both her VDOTO2 and RRCA certifications this summer, studying and absorbing the information and having such a great time in the process. It was already so much fun to watch her grow into this role!
Amy has been coaching 1:1 clients this summer and is now available through the Pace of Me coaching platform to assist more athletes. With the same coaching philosophy and mission as me, she would love to get to know you and help you discover what you’re capable of through this sport. You can read about her running story by clicking here and check out our coaching page to learn more and reach out about our services!
Amy and I are going to be a fantastic team of coaches for the communities we serve — and we promise to keep stoking that fire, together!
all photos in this post were taken by Jason Honeycutt. Follow him and see more of his beautiful work on Instagram at @j.cuttphotography!
