Riding Shot Gun

Just Another Runner’s Perspective October 2025 Written By Gale Fischer

Riding Shotgun

“Coaching is like therapy for me… I get to escape the world I live in for a bit and help better the kids’ world, while they, in turn, make my world better.”

11/6/2014, 8:00 PM:  I turned left out of the parking lot of Wattles Park Elementary and pushed on one block in the direction of one of Battle Creek's main roadway arteries, Michigan Avenue. Normally, at this hour, Michigan Avenue is quiet, but a jack-knifed semi truck on nearby I-94 had shut down the freeway and detoured traffic down Michigan. The loud buzz of semi trucks crawling along in the darkness seemed rather out of place on this snowy evening.  Eight minutes later, the trailhead was within sight.  I made a left turn onto the path, rounded a corner, and almost instantly, the auditory stimulus coming from Michigan Avenue faded into a calm silence.  Although darkness greeted me, my eyes adjusted, and I could make out the edges of the trail ten yards in front of me.  The next two miles would require an ongoing motion of pivoting my head up and down, zooming in on the surface directly beneath my feet while also focusing on what lay ahead a few body lengths ahead. The tranquility of the moonlight in the woods, away from the city, gave little to no auditory input. My ears took in the steady breathing coming from my lungs and the feathery crunch of each footfall on the fresh blanket of snow.  Although the lack of visual stimulus required complete focus, a part of me felt as if I was locked into cruise control, with the only thing required was simply placing my right foot in front of my left foot and following this sequence over and over.  The calming effect was remarkable. 

Over the previous few months, I had come to know this trail like the back of my hand, but the conditions of this evening provided me a much different perspective for this, my home turf. On more than one occasion, I tuned in ahead on the trail to what appeared to be a white ball bobbing up and down mid-air. There seemed to be no explanation for this phenomenon, and I wondered if I was hallucinating.  A few minutes later, the source of the white bobbing ball was revealed. I could faintly make out the silhouette of a deer veering off the trail with its white tail creating the image of a white cotton ball bouncing while suspended in mid air.  

Running can provide the ultimate therapy session with the calmness and serenity from the connection created by the combination of the physical, mental, and emotional realms of human existence and nature’s elements. As peaceful as some runs are, a contrast exists. There are experiences in our sport that create the opposite effect, with thrills and excitement often associated with the runner’s high.

The buzz that running provides comes in multiple forms. Pushing through exhaustion to complete a speed interval workout can provide a jolt of electricity. Edging out a competitor or coming in ahead of the clock to set a PR will generate an undeniable rush. Overcoming muscle discomfort and fatigue to complete a milestone distance can dish out a dose of confidence to energize one’s weary body. Through my running journey, I have enjoyed many of these moments filled with electricity, helping to fuel my passion for running. As is common with many things in life, it can become all too easy to underappreciate these moments of excitement. The aging process has lessened the frequency of the thrills of our sport for me, but these moments still exist for me. 

For more than a decade of running, these periods of euphoria were always internally driven. Other runners inspired me, but it was not until 2014, when I was given the opportunity to help coach my daughter’s track and cross country teams, that I realized the thrill of running could extend well beyond my personal experiences as a runner.

In recent years, coaching has taken me from high school to junior college, but the rewards are similar at both levels. My years as a competitive runner and as a runner in general have helped me to understand and relate to the athletes I have coached, but their background of competing as a team in our sport is something that I have not experienced. I didn’t run as a part of a high school or college team, with my running journey beginning at the age of thirty.

Being a part of the individual and team growth and successes of young athletes as a coach has been as thrilling as many of my personal highs as a runner. It has provided the opportunity to be a part of a team. Enjoying the progress and prosperity of my athletes is always rewarding on an individual level. Enjoying this development and success as a collective group in many ways provides a higher level of reward. 

In essence, coaching is like riding shotgun. Coaches develop a blueprint and create a script.  Adjustments are made when roadblocks and unforeseen obstacles are encountered on the journey of a season. Coaches help to develop the physical elements of their athletes while teaching skills and mechanics. We strive to enhance the mental part of the sport by establishing a game plan and strategy, and steadying the emotional aspects of athletics as cheerleaders and motivators. An abundance of support is given, but ultimately, it is up to the athlete to follow through and perform as we sit in the passenger seat watching the script unfold. Running coaches influence the races but don’t run the miles.

Coaching can dish out the gamut of emotions from frustration to excitement and contentment. Rewards come from the inspiration that athletes provide, as athletes overcome adversity and frustration to find the joy of our sport. All of these experiences provide satisfaction for coaches with victories and a high level of competition frosting the cake. In my third year as an assistant community college coach, I continue to enjoy the intrinsic rewards associated with coaching. 

Each season begins with hopes and aspirations. Our cupboard is full this year in terms of talent and potential. With just a few weeks remaining, it’s exciting to think about what successes lie ahead for our final two races. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to have a seat on the ride of this special season. I hope our athletes cherish it as much as I do.

Until next time, this has been just another runner’s perspective.