In just eight years, I have been very fortunate to be welcomed into and play a role in communities that have had a profound impact on my life. Perhaps this isn’t unique to just me and many of us experience this after departing college, a place synonymous with community, and begin to venture out into the world to seek similar emotions and connections. I’ve always recognized my past and the role it plays in my present day, but I guess it really smacked me in the face during a recent meet weekend.

I can still recall my first experience on the Tufts campus and the run I would go on with the team, the people I would meet, and the 8AM British History class I would sit in on. I cannot tell you what exactly “sold me”, but I eventually became a Jumbo and in four short years this profound foundation of my life had been established. Teammates became life-long friends and coaches became mentors, colleagues, as well as arch-rivals. Despite four years being up and no longer spending countless hours together in the dining halls, office, or track meets, they were still huge pillars of support, guidance, and inspiration. As life pushed me to Western Massachusetts and embarking on my journey as a coach, this would be especially true during my time in Amherst.

If you’ve never been to Amherst, MA, or the Pioneer Valley, I highly recommend spending a day (summer is superb) in a place that has great coffee (Amherst Coffee), top notch food (Paul & Elizabeths), and some of the best places to long endless miles (Atkins Reservoir). While all of these places hold a special place in my heart, I would say that the individuals I was able to work with and support over the course of my years certainly trump my favorite haunts. As young coach coming from a relatively successful program, I was fairly confident that I was already well prepared with the answers for whatever was thrown at me. But over time I came to realize that there isn’t just one way to run fast, and there are many good methods just as there are many bad methods. As the seasons changed, I began to realize that the reason I was so passionate and excited about someone running a fast time or big personal best wasn’t due to it being an NCAA qualifying mark or top time in the conference. Rather the enjoyment was a result of this personal connection I shared with this individual. It stemmed from those tough times when they needed to confide in me, those moments when they popped in my office to just talk about their day, or invited me to share a meal with them at the dining hall. Yes, fast times, big performances, All-American finishes, NCAA records–those are all fun and awesome. Though what would they mean to me if there was no personal connection, no understanding of my athletes outside of their lives on the oval, no compassion for their future beyond the confides of campus? Not much.

After another four years that captivated all of me, I made an extremely tough decision to head to a new post at Connecticut College. I was beyond ecstatic to be taking a head coach position in a conference that embodied me, but I was extremely heartbroken at the same time. Leading up to my final decision, I spoke at length with my family, friends, former coaches, and colleagues. The responses all were the same and it was strong yes to head to New London. Yet, I was still hesitant, nervous, and reluctant. How could I leave behind a group who had put so much faith and trust in me over the years? I eventually made a decision and committed to Connecticut College, which meant a painful confession of my intentions to move on from Amherst and a group I admired so much. Would they hate me? Are they going to be able to handle this? Those and countless other thoughts ran through my head as I clicked send on that email informing the team I was leaving. A lump in my throat as I waited over time for responses to flow in over the course the day. Eventually they would all reach out and my initial fears were squashed right away. In my own personal time of need and support, they were there for me with their words of encouragement, well wishes, and expressions of gratitude.

Now, coming full circle, last weekend I stood at the Tufts indoor track, conversing with my former Amherst athletes and colleagues, as well as empowering my crew from Connecticut College to go after it in their respective races. It was more to me than just a typical mid-indoor season meet. It was this subtle collision of these groups of people, who I’ve come to really care about and admire over the years. It was special to me. I’m a personal coach and I take a lot of things to heart