​​The Coaches Who Shaped Us: This is the third in a series of three blogs that discuss how my running coaches influenced me, shaped how I coach runners, and explains why I create events like the ones delivered by Challenge Northwest. Sev taught me lessons in integrity, individual strength, and unwavering support for a coach's runners. ​

​Bob "Sev" Sevene has remained a beacon of integrity and principle in a sport increasingly driven by commercialization. His coaching career spans generations, from guiding Joan Benoit Samuelson to the first women's Olympic marathon gold in 1984 to coaching Blake Russell in the 2008 Olympics. Yet what makes Sev extraordinary isn't just his success with elite athletes – it's his unwavering commitment to doing things the right way, his dedication to every athlete regardless of ability, and his profound impact on American distance running.

I learned this firsthand during my time training with Sev. Though I was a good collegiate runner – not an Olympian or All-American – Sev gave me the same attention and respect he gave his elite athletes. His philosophy wasn't about creating dependent athletes who relied on him for every decision. Instead, he taught us to be independent thinkers and strong competitors, capable of making our own racing decisions and handling challenges independently.

Sev's methods for developing this independence were subtle but effective. He never announced workouts in advance – we'd learn what we were doing only moments before or just after warming up. While this approach might have caused anxiety for some runners, for me it had the opposite effect. Not knowing the workout eliminated the opportunity to stress about it beforehand. More importantly, it taught us adaptability and mental toughness, training us to stay present in the moment and handle whatever challenges came our way.

This strategy was part of Sev's broader philosophy of building self-reliant athletes. He understood that success in distance running, particularly in longer races, requires more than just physical preparation – it demands mental fortitude and the ability to make independent decisions under pressure. I credit Sev for helping me develop the grit necessary to tackle longer distances and face unexpected challenges in racing. His approach taught us that true strength in running comes not just from physical training, but from developing the mental toughness to handle any situation that arises.

The post-workout breakfasts at Bickford's in Waltham, Massachusetts, revealed another side of Sev. Here, amidst coffee and conversations with the waitresses he knew by name, we'd not only listen to stories about his running experience, but we learned about his life experiences such as his time as an Army Ranger in Vietnam.  His dedication was absolute—he never missed a workout, showing up reliably for Saturday mornings, Sunday mornings, and weekday evening sessions, creating a foundation of consistency that we could build upon.

Throughout his career, Sev stood as a bulwark against the erosion of ethical standards in athletics. When performance-enhancing drugs began seeping into the sport, he took an uncompromising stance against them, even when it came at a personal cost. His commitment to clean sport wasn't just talk – he lived it, sometimes sacrificing grand opportunities to maintain his principles.

Recently, I visited Sev in Monterey Bay on what happened to be his 81st birthday. When I reached out, I wasn't sure he'd remember me among the countless athletes he's coached over his storied career. Not only did he remember, but he shared specific memories of our time together. "You know," he told me that afternoon, "I've got my own kids, but I always considered all my runners my kids. I never forget any of them – each relationship was special."

That's what sets Sev apart – his ability to see beyond the stopwatch and racing results to the individual wearing the singlet. He understood that coaching isn't just about creating faster runners; it's about developing stronger people. His influence extends far beyond the track or training routes; it reaches into how his athletes approach challenges, make decisions, and live their lives.

As a coach myself now, I strive to embody the principles I learned from Sev. I try to show my athletes the same respect he showed us – treating each one as an individual worthy of attention and guidance, regardless of their natural ability or racing times. I aim to teach them that success isn't just about winning races but about maintaining your integrity, even when it costs you something.

Sev's legacy in American distance running isn't just measured in Olympic medals or record times, though there are plenty of those. It's measured in the countless lives he's touched through his unwavering commitment to doing things the right way. He showed us that true coaching success isn't about compromising your values for quick wins but building something lasting and meaningful through honest hard work and genuine care for your athletes.

In a sport that often emphasizes results above all else, Sev reminded us that how you achieve success matters as much as the success itself. Like so many he taught us, that lesson extends far beyond the running track and into every aspect of life.

​​The Coaches Who Shaped Us: This is the second in a series of three blogs that discuss how my running coaches influenced me, shaped how I coach runners, and explains why I create events like the ones delivered by Challenge Northwest. Mike Brady taught me unabashed enthusiasm for the sport and humble support for the athletes that you coach. 

Thanksgiving Day carries a bittersweet weight for me now. While it's a time to reflect on life's blessings, it also marks the day in 2017 when I lost a great mentor and friend, Mike Brady, to his battle with cancer. As I gather with family each year, I can't help but think about Coach Brady's impact on my life – as a coach, as a friend, and as a model for how to live with enthusiasm and grace. His passing left a void in the running community, but his legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, including mine. In sharing this tribute, I hope to honor his memory and express my eternal gratitude for the time I had with him.
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You could hear Coach Brady's voice from anywhere on the cross-country course. That booming voice, which seemed too big for his frame, became a symbol of everything he represented – boundless enthusiasm, unwavering support, and a passion for running that was utterly contagious. When I first encountered that voice during my college recruitment in 1993, I had no idea how much it would come to mean to me, or how its absence would one day leave such silence.

My journey with Coach Brady began unusually. I'd actually told him I wasn't interested in Princeton, but something about our conversations stood out during a confusing recruitment process. While other coaches applied pressure and spoke in unclear terms, Brady offered honest, patient guidance – even after I'd declined interest in his program. As a teenager dealing with my parents' divorce and the uncertainty of college decisions, his straightforward approach meant everything. That authenticity eventually changed my mind about Princeton, though I'm sure he had hoped it might when he spent those hours counseling me on the phone.

Before I could even start my freshman year, life threw me a devastating curve. After a serious accident with warehouse machinery landed me in the hospital for a month, Coach Brady was there, calling to check on me, helping ease my transition to campus when I arrived so weak I could barely sit up. Once I was strong enough to attempt jogging, he met me before his workday began for slow runs together. Those morning conversations formed a bond that would last far beyond my college years.

Mike and his wife Anita never had children of their own, but they poured their parental love into Brady's runners. Sometimes his enthusiasm was almost too much – I admit to hiding from him before races when I needed quiet focus rather than his signature pump-up speeches. But that enthusiasm was what made him special. You never doubted that he genuinely cared about your success, that coaching wasn't just a job but a calling.

Our relationship continued long after graduation. When he and Anita moved to western Massachusetts, their home became a welcome stop for camping trips to the Berkshires, afternoons swimming in their pool, or rounds of golf. When I landed my dream job as New Balance's track and field footwear product manager, I packed a bag full of shoe samples and drove out to get his expert opinion, knowing he'd share his wisdom with the same enthusiasm he brought to coaching.

That enthusiasm never wavered, even in his final battle with cancer. Call him during his treatment, and he'd excitedly tell you about the latest procedures, maintaining his characteristic optimism in the face of mortality. It was this unrelenting spirit that made his loss on Thanksgiving 2017 feel all the more profound – even in his darkest days, he showed us how to face life's challenges with courage and optimism.
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Today, when I coach my own athletes, I often find myself channeling Coach Brady's enthusiasm. I want my athletes to know, as he showed us, that coaching isn't about collecting a paycheck – it's about genuine love for the sport and the people who pursue it. Sometimes I catch myself getting overly excited at meets, my voice carrying across the course, and I smile, knowing that's Coach Brady's influence living on through me.
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What made Mike Brady special wasn't just his coaching expertise or his success with athletes – it was his ability to make every person he coached feel valued, supported, and worthy of his famous enthusiasm. He showed us that coaching is about more than splits and times; it's about being there for your athletes in their moments of triumph and challenge, about maintaining optimism even in the darkest times, and about letting your passion for the sport shine through in everything you do. Each Thanksgiving, as I reflect on his impact, I'm grateful for the resonating echo of that booming voice, still teaching us how to live, coach, and care with boundless enthusiasm.

​The Coaches Who Shaped Us: This is the first in a series of three blogs that discuss how my running coaches influenced me, shaped how I coach runners, and explains why I create events like the ones delivered by Challenge Northwest. Bill Miles is the source for the "Bravest runner is the runner who thinks they will get last but shows up anyway" philosophy.  ​

Bill Miles wasn't just a cross country coach; he was a history teacher who understood the arc of young lives, including mine. His classroom became a kind of sanctuary where even the most improbable declarations were met with patient wisdom. I still remember marching into his classroom one day, full of teenage certainty, to announce I would only run track if he promised I'd never have to run the two-mile race. Bill probably chuckled after I left, knowing what I didn't – that I would eventually become one of Minnesota's top distance runners and win the individual state championship in cross country in the fall of 1993.

That was Bill's genius: he saw potential in his athletes that we couldn't yet see in ourselves. But more importantly, he knew when to guide and when to challenge, when to nurture and when to deliver hard truths. As a history teacher, he brought perspective to everything he did. His pre-race speeches weren't about winning; they were about life. He'd remind us that racing wasn't truly important – what's important is going home and finding out your parent lost their job or your dog has cancer. The sun would always come up tomorrow, our mothers would still love us, and as far as he knew, no one had ever drowned during cross country.

"Act with class" wasn't just a catchphrase for Bill; it was a fundamental principle he lived by and expected his athletes to embrace. I learned this lesson personally during my junior year when I was sidelined with an injury during the state qualifier. Instead of celebrating my teammates who stepped up to ensure our team's qualification, I pouted about not racing. Bill pulled me aside and delivered his "act with class" speech. It wasn't just about running – it was about being a better person, about supporting others when things don't go your way.

As a family man and dedicated teacher, Bill showed us what it meant to balance passion with responsibility. He didn't just coach running; he coached character. When my own family was going through difficult times with my parents' divorce, he became more than a coach – he became a steady presence, taking me out to breakfast almost every weekend for several months. This was time away from his own family, his own kids, just to make sure I had someone to talk to. That level of sacrifice and care showed me what real coaching meant – it wasn't just about training athletes, but about being there for young people when they needed guidance most. He understood that sometimes teenagers need more than just athletic guidance.

What made Bill exceptional wasn't just his winning record, though he was arguably the most successful cross country coach in Minnesota history. It was his ability to see the bigger picture. He understood that high school athletes are works in progress, that we would be immature, that we would make mistakes, and that these moments were opportunities for growth. He knew when to laugh at our teenage declarations (like my resistance to the two-mile), when to be stern about our behavior, and when to simply be there as a supportive presence.

Today, when I coach my own athletes, I try to channel Bill's patience, his wisdom, and his understanding that coaching is about more than just winning races. It's about helping people find their way, about teaching them to "act with class" even when things don't go their way, and about seeing potential in them that they might not yet see in themselves. That's Bill Miles's true legacy – not just the championships won, but the character built along the way.

Are you looking for a safe and picturesque place to exercise that provides a unique and challenging experience? Look no further than the Tolt Pipeline Trail! This hidden gem, located in the Pacific Northwest, offers a gravel trail that is closed to cars and other motor vehicles, making it an ideal option for outdoor exercise. In this blog, we'll explore the top 5 reasons why exercising on the Tolt Pipeline Trail is not only a safer alternative to exercising on the street, but also a great way to enhance your fitness routine.

Safety First: One of the biggest advantages of exercising on the Tolt Pipeline Trail is that it is closed to cars and other motor vehicles. This means you can enjoy your workout without worrying about traffic hazards or distractions, making it a safer option compared to exercising on the street. You can focus on your workout, whether it's running, walking, or cycling, without the stress of vehicular traffic, making it an excellent choice for individuals of all ages and fitness levels.

Joint-Friendly Surface: The Tolt Pipeline Trail features a gravel surface that provides a softer and more forgiving impact on your joints compared to hard pavement. The uneven surface of the gravel absorbs some of the impact, reducing the strain on your knees, ankles, and hips. This can be especially beneficial for those who may have joint issues or are recovering from injuries, as it can help minimize the risk of joint discomfort or injury during exercise.

Muscle Activation and Challenge: Exercising on the gravel surface of the Tolt Pipeline Trail requires greater muscle activation and engagement compared to a flat road. Your muscles need to constantly adapt to the changing terrain, resulting in increased activation of stabilizer muscles that may not be as actively used on flat surfaces. This can lead to improved muscle strength, endurance, and stability, providing a more challenging workout that can help you take your fitness routine to the next level.

Balance and Coordination: The uneven surface of the gravel trail also challenges your balance and coordination as you navigate the varying terrain. This can help improve your balance and proprioception over time, which are crucial for stability and injury prevention, especially as you age. By incorporating the Tolt Pipeline Trail into your exercise routine, you can enhance your balance and coordination skills, which can translate into better performance in other physical activities and daily life.

Nature Connection and Mental Well-being: Another significant advantage of exercising on the Tolt Pipeline Trail is the opportunity to connect with nature and boost your mental well-being. The trail is surrounded by lush trees, plants, and wildlife, providing a serene and immersive experience in nature. Being surrounded by the beauty of nature during your workout can reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall well-being, making your exercise routine more enjoyable and fulfilling.

Tolt Pipeline Trail offers a safer and scenic gravel trail for exercising that provides a host of benefits, from reduced joint impact and increased muscle activation to improved balance and coordination, as well as the opportunity to connect with nature and enhance mental well-being. With its closure to motor vehicles and the unique challenges it presents, the Tolt Pipeline Trail is a great alternative to exercising on the street. So, lace up your shoes, grab your water bottle, and head to the Tolt Pipeline Trail for an invigorating workout that will not only improve your fitness but also allow you to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Stay safe, follow trail guidelines, and enjoy the many advantages of exercising on this wonderful gravel trail!