How do we encourage the next generation of runners? This is something I deal with fairly often. In my community there are strong running programs in schools and churches for young runners. In one area school, there are over 100 kids on the track and field and cross country teams(note: only a few get to compete). I am very fortunate to work with some wonderful kids who come in for shoes and advice.
There are some kids I have special affection for. These are the ones who so truly love running and everything about running. They are the running geeks who can tell you what time Pre ran in the 1972 Olympics. It's very cool to help these kids year after year. They are respectful, fun and you can see the love of running in them.
Let me tell you about JB. JB lives in a small town in Indiana. He runs track and cross country for his local high school. He is very good, and is always striving to be better. He comes in every couple of months, and he specifically wants to work with me to get his shoes. Why me?
I take the time to listen to what he wants to accomplish. I'm able to verify or correct something he has learned about shoes. I check his gait(even though he doesn't need it). He is a guy who loves running, and wants to work with someone who loves running. All I want to do is encourage him.
Yesterday he and his mom came in. Seems they called ahead to see when I would be working. He wanted to get some shoes, but he also wanted to talk about his summer vacation. As he wore his Pre shirt, he told me about the journey to Eugene, OR to visit Haywood Field - hallowed ground for track and field guys. Seems the day he visited, the gates to the field were closed. Soon he was talking to a grounds worker, who let him into the stadium, and JB got to run on the track that so many tracks greats have run.
JB was so thrilled to do this, and as he told me, I felt just as excited for him. How great that someone let him do this. How great that someone would encourage him like this. I too wanted to do something for him, and I did.
Recently we found a box of old track and field magazines. Someone had left them in the store(who knows why). When I say old, I mean these were from the 1970s. We found a home for the box, but kept one in the store. As JB told me his story, I knew what I wanted to do. I found the copy of that magazine, which by the way had a cover story on Steve Prefontaine, and told JB he could have it.
JB lit up and looked so thrilled to get this. His mother told me I didn't have to do that. I told her the groundskeeper didn't have to let him into run, but JB is such a good kid, I just wanted to do something nice. As he thumbed through the magazine, JB told me how he had been getting faster, and mixed in more stories of the trip to Eugene. He was on Cloud Nine.
We eventually figured out which shoes would work for his cross country season. As they left the store, he turned around, and thanked me for everything. JB is a senior in high school this year. Next year he will be off to college. I've watched many a kid come and go in my store, some I miss a great deal, because they are such good kids. JB is one I will miss very much.
I tell you this, because I am hoping that if there is a young runner out there, please find a way to encourage their running and love of the sport.
Charlie
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