The Leader of the Pack---a true story

Tuesday, August 15, 2006


Leader of the Pack
(Ed.note. Evansville cross country has begun training. Be careful driving since their training runs are on city roads. In honor of the winning tradition of Evansville cross country, I have reprinted the classic, "Leader of the Pack." from Feb. 2006)



Some years ago, there was a magical period in boy's cross country at Evansville High School when there were 5 fast and talented male runners and Evansville had a chance to go to the State Championship Round. As you may remember, the first three ran in a pack---Mike Thornton, Jay Marin and Justin Frey.

The Observer knows because his task was to stand at the first mile marker and call out the mile split. For Mike Thornton, if he was running the first mile at 5.04 that meant that he was right on target. Jay Marin needed be be next on his shoulder, and then Justin Frey a step behind. It was like clockwork. What a dream first three runners.

The following year, the burden of leading the races passed to Jay Marin. Now it was he who had to hit the split perfectly. One of the things I noticed as a parent of a cross country runner is that just before the race, the leaders, such as Ann Knutson or Jay Marin, intensely feel the burden of leading. They frequently throw up. They wonder whether they still have it for the race. The desire. Well, everything. It is not guaranteed. They know that the past is gone. It is up to them. Now.

One race, the boys were wearing special t-shirts with goofy sayings on the back. Some were even wearing goofy sayings on their shorts. Some were wearing colored socks. They were laughing and giggling a bit about it.

One boy went up to Jay and said, "Jay, which of the t-shirts do you like best?"

Jay replied, "Listen----I plan on LEADING this race. I don't give a (------) about what is written on your shorts."

When you are a LEADER, the key thing is to LEAD, not to listen or glance about being distracted by the titter of the crowd or whatever is written on others butts. Being in front is special. One has to keep the head up high. Looking to the future.

Make a note of it.