The Let Me Run 5k is THIS weekend, and we thought it was the perfect opportunity to interview a couple of the volunteer high school coaches. Brice Mayeux, David Kloiber, Andrew Dautel are three high schoolers helping the head coaches of Let Me Run at St. Gabriel School. Big thanks to them for answering our questions (over EMAIL – not text – that’s big for high school boys ;-)) and an even BIGGER thanks for being great role models for all the Let Me Run participants. Go get ’em this weekend, boys!
From left to right: Executive Director of LMR Paul Martino, Jack Broadnax, Rob Dumser, David Kloiber, Paul Gennett, Thompson Klingman, Brice Mayeux, advisor Mike Smith
Brice Mayeux
What got you interested in coaching LMR?
I got interested in coaching Let Me Run when I was looking for service hours. At first it was a chore, but then I ended up really liking it and coming back for another season.
What’s been the highlight of coaching?
The highlight of coaching Let Me Run is getting to see all of the boys get faster, grow in maturity, and grow as a team.
What’s been the most challenging?
The most challenging part of coaching Let Me Run is probably managing all of the kids. They are in the stage in life where they all bounce off the walls and don’t listen. It is challenging to get them to listen.
How has coaching Let Me Run enabled you to see your own coaches in a different light?
By coaching Let Me Run I now understand how hard it was for my coaches whenever we misbehaved, or did not pay attention. I also respect them more for giving their time to be with us
Where have you seen the most change in the boys?
I have seen the biggest change in the boys enjoyment of running, where at the start they did not seem happy to be at Let Me Run, but by now the all have a smile on their face the whole time.
What advice or wisdom would you like to leave with the team?
I would like to tell the team to know how much they have improved this season and that they need to apply their ability to improve at different skills in everyday life.
What makes Let Me Run so awesome?
Let Me Run is awesome because it is a way for any kid no matter the shape, weight, speed, ethnicity, etc. to come together as a giant group and help each other complete goals in their lives.
David Kloiber
Grade: 12
Year You’ve Run Competitively: 7
Former LMR Participant: Yes – St. Gabriel’s
5k PR: 18:31
What got you interested in coaching LMR?
I got interested in the coaching LMR because of the opportunity to spread my knowledge on running with the kids in the same program I was apart of seven years ago.
What’s been the highlight of coaching?
The highlight of coaching is seeing the reactions the kids after looking at their time on the clock after they cross the finish. More often than not they smash their time from the time trials during the year adding even more excitement and joy when completing the 5k at the end of the year.
What’s been the most challenging?
The most challenging is trying to inspire some of the kids, who you know that have potential to be a good runners, to put forth the effort.
How has coaching Let Me Run enabled you to see your own coaches in a different light?
LMR has enabled me to see how difficult it can be at times to coach and that I should always treat them respectfully even when I may not agree with their methods of coaching.
Where have you seen the most change in the boys?
I have seen the most change in the boys throughout the seasons in the effort they put forth. When all of the other runners are out on the track cheering each other on, they experience positive peer pressure to be like each other and run harder in practice.
What advice or wisdom would you like to leave with the team?
I would like to tell them even if you are not the best runner right now does not mean you cannot become a great runner. There are multiple kids on my high school cross country team who have dropped their times from 21 minutes to 17:30 in just two seasons because of the effort they put into bettering themselves. To those who do not plan on running in the future, I would like to encourage them to find something they really like and do it to the best of their ability.
What makes Let Me Run so awesome?
LMR is so awesome because of the attitude the kids bring to practice each day. More times than not they are all there smiling and happy to be able to hang out with their friends and run.
Andrew Dautel
What got you interested in coaching LMR?
I became interested in LMR coaching because I love running and enjoy spending time with and helping kids.
What’s been the highlight of coaching?
The highlight of coaching for me has been seeing the kids develop as runners and as boys. I also love watching them reach their running goals and creating new personal running records.
What’s been the most challenging?
The most challenging thing about coaching for me was keeping all of the boys focussed on the lesson plans.
How has coaching Let Me Run enabled you to see your own coaches in a different light?
Coaching for Let Me Run has enabled me to see my coaches in a different light by being grateful for their time and understanding how much work they put in to make me better.
Where have you seen the most change in the boys?
I have seen the most changes in the athletic and mental strength of the boys. I believe they have all grown and developed into who they are and have matured throughout the time they have been with the program.
What advice or wisdom would you like to leave with the team?
Some advice that I would like to leave with the team is to be yourself and to do what makes you happy and if you do both of those things you will end up where you’re meant to be.
What makes Let Me Run so awesome?
Let Me Run is awesome because it inspires boys to be better people and it teaches the values and traits of a healthy, happy person.
John Cooper Levin
What got you interested in coaching LMR?
My friend’s mother, Kelli Dumser, has hand in this program at my elementary school and encouraged me to participate in the pilot program.
What’s been the highlight of coaching?
The highlight of coaching has really been the kids. I know that sounds cliche, but the kids have taught me so much about myself and about people in general. Everyday that I coach I really look forward seeing the kids eager eyes and smiling faces. I cherish the opportunity that the program provides me to make an impact on their physical health and moral character.
What’s been the most challenging?
The most challenging aspect of this program was definitely the learning curve. It’s hard to corral a bunch of elementary school boys hyped up on sugar and worn out from a long day at school. This challenge takes time to learn but the mastery of it has definitely been a rewarding aspect of the program.
How has coaching Let Me Run enabled you to see your own coaches in a different light?
Let Me Run has allowed me to view my coaches as people.
Where have you seen the most change in the boys?
Over the course of the program, the physical change in the boys athleticism is very obvious as measured by the times. Over the course of the program almost all of the boys get faster.
What advice or wisdom would you like to leave with the team?
Try to be the best version of yourself that you can possibly be.
What makes Let Me Run so awesome?
The social and moral lessons really make this program awesome. By teaching the boys social and moral lessons we are able to help guide these boys to a future as responsible and respectable young adults.
Let Me Run
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