Meet the Coaches: Coach Zack

First up in our Meet the Coaches series is Coach Zack!

Zack is definitely known as the “cool coach” of the crew. He always seems to have a smile on his face, brings positive energy wherever he goes, and has a way of keeping things fun while still pushing our athletes to do hard things.

For this series, all of our coaches were given the same questionnaire, covering everything from coaching philosophy and life lessons to race-day food and a few completely random questions.

Their answers give a little glimpse into who they are, what makes them special, and why each one brings something unique to EDT.

First up, let’s see what Coach Zack had to say!

What’s your “why” for coaching? What keeps you coming back season after season?

I love showing kids just how rewarding it can be to do hard things.

What’s one thing you hope every athlete learns from you that has absolutely nothing to do with running?

That you don’t have to take life too seriously. Work hard, but have fun along the way.

Finish this sentence: A great coach is someone who...

Celebrates their athletes.

If you could give every young runner one piece of advice and make sure they actually listened, what would it be?

Do hard things. You’ll be amazed at what you’re capable of.

You get the aux cord at practice. What song are you playing to get the team fired up?

“Enormous” by Streetlight Manifesto.

Pick your coaching superpower: unlimited patience, perfect weather every practice, athletes who always remember their watches, or the ability to instantly heal every little ache and pain?

Instantly heal every little ache and pain. No question.

What were you like as a kid and young athlete: super competitive, class clown, quiet grinder, rule follower, troublemaker, or something else?

Somehow both the quiet grinder and the class clown.

Rapid fire: Early-morning run or evening run? Track or XC? Hills or intervals? Hot or cold? Race day or practice day?

Early morning. XC. Hills. Hot. Race day.

If you weren’t coaching, what would you probably be doing with all those extra hours?

Running. So basically, not much would change.

What’s one coaching hill you’re willing to die on, no matter what anyone else says?

Pasta two nights before the race. Always.

You can steal one trait from any athlete you’ve ever coached and give it to every kid on the team. What trait are you picking?

Being the athlete who never forgets to cheer for the last kids to finish.

What’s your perfect post-race meal after a long day of coaching and running all over a cross country course?

Any breakfast food. You can’t go wrong.

What’s something you’re embarrassingly bad at that everyone assumes a functioning adult should know how to do?

Blowing up balloons. Apparently, it’s a skill.

What do you hope your athletes remember about you years from now?

That I always stayed positive.

Who has had the biggest impact on the person and coach you are today?

My kids.

What’s a moment with an athlete that reminds you exactly why you chose to coach?

Any time a kid finds that little bit extra at the end of a race and kicks past someone. Seeing them realize they had more in them is pretty special.

When your coaching days are eventually over, what do you hope you left behind in the athletes you worked with?

Empowered athletes who know they can do hard things.