My Kind Of Family Reunion

My Kind of a Family Reunion!

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 15:05:07 GMT

Now This Is My Kind of Family Reunion!

Kirk Keller Coaching

A few years ago I traveled to an eastern Idaho town on a visit over the July Fourth Holiday. The subdivision sprawl with its miles of concrete made my legs ache just thinking about running on this surface! In jeopardy was my plan for a 90 minute trail run at a steady pace. There had to be an alternative.

Searching through a hiking book I found on a bookshelf, I located a US National Forest within 30 miles. Bingo! I hastily made plans to rise before others, quietly maneuver through the house and make my escape to run an unknown forest service trail. It was a long shot plan built on hope.

Early the next morning I drove through the irrigated alfalfa fields, crossed the Snake River and began to meander through the sagebrush lined hills. Gaining in elevation the vegetation went from sage to buck brush, cedars to pine, and finally, aspen mixed with fir. Maybe just maybe this could work out. I slowed my vehicle down and began to watch for some resemblance of an inviting trailhead lending itself to running. I might even change my training plan depending on what I found. Rounding a bend in the road, I spied two motocross riders preparing for a ride. My inquiries regarding a trailhead were met with a shrug of shoulders and finger pointing- in a general direction away from their travel route. I continued on and located a dirt trail at the bottom of the next hill. The four wheeler ruts made the USDA Targhee National Forest trail barely recognizable. Oh well, still better than pavement I had left in suburbia I told myself. I pulled my car over and parked next to a campground.

The crowded campground was abuzz with early morning activity. Tents, trailers, lawn chairs, bonfires, and all that I was hoping to avoid. I laced up my shoes and headed down the trail focused on using all the time available. Fortunately, the trail appeared to be headed away from the campground and human noise.

I had no idea where this trail led – so I took my bearings, looked at my watch and began my run. Four hundred meters later, I came across a blue arrow spray painted in the middle of the trail. Since I had never before encountered such directional guides while running an unexplored trail and I had to register this as pretty odd.

Running on I found another blue arrow, another and another. At this point, curiosity took over and I felt compelled to follow. For the next two miles blue arrows appeared every 100 meters. 100 meters right turn, 100 meters left turn, 100 meters straight- the trail of blue against the dark earth was extraordinary. Through old growth forest, aspens, open grassy meadows, along clear mountain streams, all a single dirt track – this was fun! I realized my morning’s training mission was being accomplished.

Looking up trail, past a blue arrow, I saw the sign. This white piece of paper fixed to the top of a small wooden stake read -“pick up your small stone and turn around here”. The white sign had an arrow (blue, of course!) pointing down to a clear plastic bag full of smooth stones at the base of the wooden stake. This is really weird. It was the end of the trail for my blue arrows as the next one before me gave a complete directional change of 180 degrees. Rats. My watch indicated I needed more trail time. I continued on with my run – this was fun. It was a beautiful trail – good footing, single track dirt, rolling terrain, a perfect fit for my training schedule-and all in solitude.

Until, that is, I glanced ahead at the junction in the trail and saw movement. Up the trail ran a young boy. I saw him stop; bend over appearing to pick something up from the ground. At this time, I announced my arrival, and noticed I had run a complete circle, finding myself back at the wooden stake with the sign. I just had to ask him – “Is this a race?” His startled look gave way to an excited exclamation of “yes!” Stone in hand, he hurriedly turned around, and began a down-hill assault any Olympian would be proud of. Once again, my curiosity led me to retrace earlier steps. Not a minute later, appeared another young runner. Muffled voices now carried through the air. Here came a young couple running together, a dad hiking with an infant on his back, a mom with two young daughters, followed by a grandmother with grandkids. I suddenly realized the shouts of encouragement from the other runners were directed to me. “You can do this!” “Way to go, you can win this!” I just smiled, waved and continued on. The next shouts woke me up. “You are doing great – you are going to win a big prize”. Prizes? I slowed my run to a crawl and asked “there are prizes?” “Oh yes,” exclaimed a mom, “great electronic gear, hiking stuff and …”

That was enough for me. The competitive gear kicked in. This is cool I thought – no entry fee, jumping in the middle of a race, winning really neat stuff. Mental flashes of infamous race imposters crossing the finish line appeared in my mind. This might be my first time for being a race bandit. “How could I stoop so low,” I asked myself?

I continued on following the arrows in a reverse order from my ascent. Over the next few miles I met other runners, joggers, hikers all headed up the trail. Smiles, waves and continued encouragement filled the mountain air. As I approached my original point of trail access, I noticed another blue arrow directing runners into the campground. Now I get it – a family reunion with a trail race! This must have been a big family. What a family reunion!

Maybe I could have blended in with a connection of a second cousin, twice removed, on Aunt Mildred’s’ side, claimed my prize and then made a quick exit. My results could read; “Cousin Joey, or Uncle Rick.” Pull up a lawn chair and please pass the lemonade! Mmm…Maybe next year!

Until next time – enjoy the run!

We Each Had One - Our First Coach

Thu, 23 May 2024 15:51:00 GMT

We Each Had One - Our First Coach and What An Impact He Made!

My First Running Coach

We all had one. Our first coach. I went out for Cross Country my sophomore year of High School, Fairfield, Iowa and my coach was Roger McHone. He was my first running coach. So glad I went out for cross country. I had traded my aspirations of being a football player like my dad for the sweat and grind of distance running. What unfolded over the next 3 years has impacted my life since.

I showed up for the first practice early that fall wearing basketball shoes. Converse All Star, white, low top. $8. I am guessing I gave Coach reason to chuckle a bit. If he laughed, it didn’t show! Under his tutelage, all the hard workouts, yellow school bus trips to meets, miles of running rural gravel roads across the hilly Southeast Iowa countryside, matured me into the runner I became. Did it take hard work? Absolutely. Did it take commitment? For sure. All with the direction, guidance and leadership of Coach McHone.

Five decades later, I have run (and or raced) in over 20 states, 4 international countries, competed and attended dozens of national meets, coached at the Club, HS, NCAA Div 1, and Master levels, coached 1 national champion, 1 NCAA All American, and dozens of athletes to podium and personal bests. Completed a MS with a concentration in Exercise Science, certified as a USATF Level II Coach, certified as a Master Level USATF Track and Field Official, officiated dozens of NCAA I and II, HS and Youth Meets over the course of my 35+ year career as an XC and Track/Field Official. Reached a national level competitor status throughout my college and post college days. All because of one coach that gave me a start in High School. Coach Roger McHone.

Coach McHone was a pretty cool coach. He drove this orange 2 door Chevy Nova that had an 8 track player. Nothing beat that at the time. He mixed up workouts. Served watermelon after meets. Stern with us when he needed to be, laughed with us as often. He taught me a lot about hard work, pacing, and determination. The consistency with his workouts I still apply today with the runners I coach. Above all, he put a lot of fun (as best he could) into the hard work required to be a distance runner. He was patient with me, and smiled the day I showed up to practice in my new Adidas Country training shoes.

In addition – Coach McHone actively lead the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at our HS. I ran into him and a car load of HS guys one summer at FCA Summer Camp in Estes Park, CO. A surprise encounter for sure! Still encouraging these HS kids in his circle of influence to follow Jesus. This example of leadership continues to impact my outreach and ministry to others with the same encouragement.

True leadership sets you apart from others. You leave a mark on the lives around you. You impact your world in a way that others gravitate towards. You pour into others’ lives. You serve. Coach McHone did all the above and more.

I am truly blessed to have had his leadership in my life. His life has impacted countless others’. Now he faces a big battle; the battle fighting MS. The photo captures the last time I visited with he and his wife Diane at their home in Fairfield, Iowa, April 2019. We told stories, reminisced, laughed, cried a bit and prayed together before I set out on a return trip to Montana.

His last words to me as I walked to my car were; “I love you man.” Coach Roger, I love you too! Thanks so much for all you did for me.

Until next time, enjoy the run!

The Value of Pausing

kkeller145k@protonmail.com — Thu, 19 May 2022 15:55:25 GMT

The Value of Pausing

The Value of Pausing . . .

Standing along the banks of the Yellowstone River, paddle in hand, kayak at my feet, looking into the raging swollen river from recent spring runoff, it was then I realized I was indeed – a bit scared.

I had never purposefully kayaked into whitewater that seemed to be taunting me. All preparations were in place, equipment, scouting, teammates, and mental preparation. I pictured the line I would follow – and execute. And yet – my excited nervousness was now becoming reality. Launching into the raging waters was a given, dealing with the mental games beforehand – optional.

And so it is with leadership. Preparation is good. Scouting, essential. Mentally picturing execution – smart.

And yet with each new project, new endeavor, there is a given sense of unsureness as given the outcome. This is healthy; and actually a sign of; care, concern, ownership, and investment on your part.

These mental games can serve a purpose; as long as we give those games directions and boundaries.

Pausing is often a step of these mental games. Pausing can serve a valuable purpose. It is there that we have the opportunity to evaluate our steps to date. A checklist per se is created, reviewed and then moved forward. This step – can invite a de-rail of sorts, if we allow this step of pausing to get us off track.

Pausing too long will invite doubt to creep in. Second guessing will become inherent and serve only to confuse your direction, your teams’ direction and ultimately spin you and your influence in a downward spiral.

A healthy pause, serves to build confidence that impregnates itself into your team, your project, and your circle of influence. A healthy step at this point can include a step of asking. Ask your team; they know best. What are we missing? What else do we need? Then listen .

Launching into the waters that lie ahead requires a push off from shore. It is at this point there is no turning back.

Execute your plan. Follow through. Track your line. Others will take their read from your leadership.

Until next time – enjoy the journey!

Reach out - let's connect! kirkkellercoaching@protonmail.com

Launching!

kkeller145k@protonmail.com — Thu, 19 May 2022 15:11:20 GMT

Launching - Even a Bit Scared!

Launching

I finished loading and packing gear into my touring kayak and with excitement mixed with fear I pushed off from shore.

I had never been in a kayak before. Let alone a solo trip into the wilds of the Backcountry of Yellowstone National Park.

No instructions. Just a few videos I found on internet searches. I beat back the feelings of lack of control, capsizing, grizzly bears, and stepping into thermals with temps of 200 degrees plus. It was an uncomfortable feeling to put it mildly. And yet I knew I needed to push off from shore. So I pushed off, even a bit scared.

What did I learn from that inaugural trip deep into the wilderness of Yellowstone National Park?

Sometimes in life we just need to start scared. In leadership, often there are no instruction manuals. Very little in the way of “how to” guidance. So we venture into leadership, a bit scared.

So what do we resort to? Often we are tempted to employ what has worked for us in the past. Or how we were conditioned as subordinates. Yet there is a lot of risk when putting into motion the two steps above. Risk that is fragile at best. And yet it is who we are and where we are at.

What has worked in the past may not work as planned given the changing landscape of our industries, their cultures, workplace practices and very nature of doing business in todays’ world. It is time for change. Change in the way we lead, in the way we solicit feedback, in the way we create influence.

Often it is at this juncture we encounter a hint of the fear factor. We have never been here before. New terrain, new relationships, new protocols. It is here that a decision is made. Pull back, and attempt to operate in comfort or forge ahead given new frontiers with little direction to guide us.

The success you have experienced to date came from who you are. Your skill set, your contributions, your sacrifices, your shared vision. That worked for you to date. Now going ahead; new mindsets will need to precede new leadership. At that point – it is ok to be a little scared.

As I landed my kayak at the end of this inaugural trip, three days, 33 plus paddling miles, two nights sleeping solo in griz country, I experienced the sensation and satisfaction of a trip completed. Unknowns, new adventures, first time experiences. But I did it. And what a confidence builder!

Scared? Launch anyway. Push off from shore. Keep your eyes on the horizon. Use the resources around you to help you navigate the unknowns. But launch!

Until next time – enjoy the journey!

Reach out - lets connect! kirkkellercoaching@protonmail.com

My Kind Of Family Reunion

My Kind of a Family Reunion!

Now This Is My Kind of Family Reunion!

We Each Had One - Our First Coach

We Each Had One - Our First Coach and What An Impact He Made!

The Value of Pausing

The Value of Pausing ﻿

Launching!

Launching - Even a Bit Scared!

The Value of Pausing