Art of coaching

Polly Sparling's posse makes lasting imprints on so many runners

I am a coach. It’s what I do. I was first hired to coach cross country and track at Marist College in the spring of 1991. Aside from working at my college coach’s running camp as a counselor each summer back in the 1980s, and along with being a runner for a little more than 10 years at that time, I had no formal experience as a coach. I was a working journalist -- writing and editing … and yes, covering track and cross country. I talked to coaches, I interviewed coaches, but I wasn’t one of them. Until I was.

“What was it like when you first started coaching and how did you get the job?”

I get asked this question all the time – by student-athletes, by younger coaches (most coaches are “younger coaches” from my perspective now!). My stock answer is: “When I started coaching, there were 4 runners on the team … and I had no idea what I was doing.” This is very true. Then, with short pause for effect, I add: “Now, 33 years later, there are a lot more runners on the team … and (some would say) I still have no idea what I’m doing!” There’s some truth to that too!

Throughout my work life, my two primary professions – writing/editing and coaching – are somewhat unusual in that they don’t necessarily require formal certifications nor job-specific training. If you’re a nurse, a doctor, a lawyer, a police officer, a lab technician, an auto mechanic, a pharmacist, on and on, there is some required education, advanced degrees or rigorous, intentional, formal and certified training that one must go through. With journalism and coaching … not so much. In many cases, it’s literally on-the-job training. As a result, I tend to have a little “imposter syndrome” – as in, who am I to say I’m an expert … in anything?

With coaching, a background in exercise physiology can be quite useful and important. Being a teacher is also essential – coaching is teaching – and almost every high school coach teaches as well. USATF, the governing body of our sport, has “level” schools with rigorous online or in-person training. I haven’t done them in years; my certifications are lapsed. I’m not proud of that, it’s just the reality. I talk all the time with younger coaches about the “science and art” of coaching. Unlike in 1991 when I started, there is now a treasure trove of science-backed data that coaches can lean back on when training their athletes. Books, podcasts, videos. That’s the science. But, just like in 1991, at the collegiate level we’re still coaching humans – men and women ages 18-22 who are forever “emerging adults” and as a result, they need a lot more than the Xs and Os of a training plan. We’re trying to coach fast runners but we’re also trying to raise good humans. That’s the art.

Whew. Another long-winded introduction to a long (but very meaningful) follow-up post on Polly’s Posse from earlier in the week. Stick with me, folks, there is a point to all these words.

Polly Sparling formed her “posse” nearly 20 years ago, I’m guessing with little formal run coaching experience. Most of our conversations through the years centered around our common interest in writing, editing and teaching. Polly is an outstanding writer and editor (check out an archived post that she wrote in Hudson Valley Magazine about the early years of the posse – here’s the link). Like me, she has taught journalism courses at Marist. We exchanged notes on the methodology of teaching the Inverted Pyramid and other basics of the craft. She gave me the first template for a course syllabus, the framework of which I use to this day. We talked writing, editing and the often-tenuous state of journalism – she at the magazine, me at the Poughkeepsie Journal. We rarely spoke of running – other than her providing information for me to announce her group runs in my running column.

As mentioned the other day, a recent illness has curtailed Polly’s participation in the posse. As we noted, she has been missed quite a bit. As a follow-up to that post, today in this space, I would like to share with you some thoughts about Polly’s impact on the many women who have been part of the posse through the years.

But before I get to that, let’s get back to my long-winded introduction. My hunch is that Polly had no formal coaching experience nor exercise science background before she started the running group. That was also during the nascent stages of the Internet, and pre-YouTube, so if she chose to research training methods, it was likely through running magazines, articles and books.

My guess is that Polly didn’t intend nor desire to become an Xs and Os running coach. You know, the “science of running.” Rather, Polly’s connections and impact with the women in the posse remain vibrant and strong. Polly encourages and Polly inspires – in large part by simply showing up and organizing the group. In that way, Polly inspires me to be a better coach. Showing up, being fully present, lending a compassionate and attentive ear to young emerging adults. That’s the “art of coaching.”

The following words, testimonials of gratitude and love, show me – show us all – that Polly somehow inherently understands the “art of coaching,” although her individualized training plans seemed to motivate and inspire as well, much like a true “running coach.” Which, in her own way, is exactly what she has been -- to so many for so long.

Here, then, are excerpts from numerous Posse emails. They amount to love letters from dear friends who shared countless miles – and seemingly endless laughter -- together. And yes, they show how Polly encouraged them to become better runners – and better people – through the magic of human connection. Here goes!

Kelsey Steele:

Polly is so special to me, my family, and our community. It's hard to capture the powerful force that is Polly, but here are a few words:

I don't remember when I first met Polly, but my mom and I started running with her and the posse when I was in high school. When I graduated college, I was feeling down because of a lack of a job, and I was living at home. Every weekend, my mom and I would run with the posse, and several members were training for marathons. I remember they were using Polly's training plan. They inspired me to sign up for my first marathon, and I started training with them. In the two years after graduating from college in 2013, I ended up running three marathons! I know I did that because of the posse. Polly was so consistent in holding runs on the weekend, so I knew I'd always have someone to run with. I just found Polly's email from 2013 with encouragement for my first marathon in Hartford. Training with Polly and the posse truly did help me get through a difficult transitional period in my life. 

Polly was also special in that she welcomed everyone to the posse—it didn't matter how fast you were or if you had never run before. Her philosophy was that no one ever got left behind; everyone matters, and everyone's running journey is worth cheering for. I've lived in several cities and have tried many run clubs over the past decade, and none of them have been as consistent or as welcoming as Polly's running group. 

This year, on May 5, I will be running my fourth marathon. I created my version of Polly's original training plan and shared it with a new running friend, who is running her first marathon this year. I felt confident setting my marathon training plan because of Polly and Posse. I would not be running this marathon or sharing marathon training plans via Google Calendar if it were not for Polly. I couldn't go to the Angel of Light race, so I plan to wear my Polly's Posse shirt at the Copenhagen marathon to honor Polly, who inspires me to become the person and runner I am today. 

Margaret (Schmitz) Montuori:  

I met Polly more than 15 years ago when Debra Schwartz brought me to one of Steve Perks’ track workouts at Union Vale Middle School.  Polly immediately took me under her wing and made me feel like a part of the group from the very first moment we spoke.  I was new to running and didn't feel like a runner.  Polly encouraged me and told me and said you're running, that makes you a runner.  I have seen Polly do this time and time again on the Saturday morning runs whenever someone new showed up to run.  Polly always stayed with the newbies and took them under her motherly wing, just as she did for me. 

One of her best pieces of advice to the newcomers was to carry a bandana with you when you run.  These bandanas were affectionately coined the 'Polly rag'.  If the Polly rags could tell their stories, they would fill a book. Polly's mantra was "no one gets left behind" and she would regularly sweep up the back.  Having been a slow runner, I was fortunate to spend a good amount of time with her. Polly could tell a story!  She shared story after story of hers and the group's running escapades.  Many of which I've heard a thousand times, but I never tired of hearing them. Her stories got us through so many of our freezing, boiling or long training runs.  I always considered Polly the mother and fearless leader of the group.  She would gather and keep all her ducklings in a row.

There were so many easy conversations, laughs, tears, muddy and sweaty miles with Polly.  We all couldn't wait to receive our 'Polly Email' toward the end of each week, spelling out where we would run and most importantly eat afterwards.  Polly always kept us updated on upcoming events, and the goings-on of the group.  Polly's flair for writing always made her emails something to look forward to.  

The running group became very much like a family.  Running with the group was a workout, social gathering and sometimes a therapy session all in one. I, like so many others in the group, went through some very difficult life changes that caused isolation from the group.  It was always Polly that would reach out when someone went missing for any period of time to check in and encourage coming back to the runs.  I did stop running with the group about five years ago when running just didn't make my body feel good anymore.  I always missed Polly and her Posse.  I could kick myself for the time I missed with her and her Posse.  We take so many things for granted. 

I love you, Polly, and will always be grateful for all the love, support, encouragement and friendship that you have given to me.  Polly, you are wrapped in our prayers.  God Bless you!

Sandy Ermo:

I started running in 2013 and trained myself for my first 5K. I discovered the Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club (MHRRC) website, which listed a group run on Saturday mornings from Spratt Park in Poughkeepsie. Being a 'non-joiner' for my entire life, I was hesitant about joining a group of people I did not know. Well, I pushed myself to do it, and I was welcomed immediately by Polly and the rest of the group. I have so many great memories! Meeting for coffee at Crafted Kup after our Saturday runs, freezing cold long runs in Millbrook, countless running events, our annual holiday party, Posse Spa Day, and so many more! Lots of laughs and great conversations!

Running with Polly and this amazing group inspired me to push myself as a runner, training for longer distances, eventually completing marathons. It allowed me to make lasting friendships with positive, like-minded people. I feel so fortunate to be part of this group. Polly, from day one you welcomed me into the group and inspired me to run farther than I thought I could go. Thanks for your friendship and inspiration! Love you! The Posse rocks! 

Denise Dollard:

I met Polly on October 20, 2006 at the Sports Museum Hall of Fame race. We just started chatting after the race and she invited me to join her group for their Sunday runs in Millbrook. She and several other women had trained with Larry Knapp to do their first marathon at the Vermont City Marathon in May. I was very new to running and had just completed my first 5K in May. I was a little intimidated about joining her group although, thanks to Kevin, I was already familiar with the hills of Millbrook. I met up with the group that following Sunday and by March of 2007 I had completed my first half marathon!

Polly is a nurturer, always full of encouragement and support. When I joined her group, I was obviously not in any shape to keep up with people who had run a marathon. She made staying with the group easy and fun by telling the best stories. She would chat away as I huffed and puffed and tried to keep up. She still never leaves anyone behind.

I do my runs during the week so that I can keep up with the group on Saturdays. That’s what keeps me motivated. The group is always growing and changing. Just like when I joined a group, whenever anyone new came to the group, Polly would make sure that they were never left behind. We all have made sure to adopt that mantra. 

Thank you for being there for me and for being a wonderful friend. I will always treasure our friendship and the memories that we made and shared. I love you more than you could know!

Karen LaPorta (aka, Klap nickname Polly gave me given we have many Karens)

My boyfriend (now husband) and I were moving to the area from Rochester back in summer of 2013 and I was training for my first full marathon and had searched for a local running group to do my long runs with and found Polly's email on the MHRRC website. She welcomed me to the Saturday runs. In that email she told me that every Friday an email got sent out to the group to find out who would be where. In that email she also informed me that at times the email chain could get a bit comical with the groups inside jokes.

Now every Friday I still look forward to receiving that email, which now has been taken over by different members of the group in Polly's absence. The second weekend in town, I met up for the group for my first run. I remember running with Lorna Thompson from Wilbur Boulevard through Vassar Farm. I was nervous about coming to a new group, but those nerves melted right away as soon as we started running and chatting. And have not looked back. Having the group really helped my move to the Hudson Valley feel more like home. 

One of my favorite traditions we developed was in late January or February we would do a Posse Spa Day at Mohonk Mountain House. Of course, we had to first earn our spa treatment by running on the New Paltz rail trail in the bitter cold. They we would go to eat breakfast at a restaurant on Main Street, then off to the spa. Then a day of pampering. We enjoyed sitting in the spa's solarium and chatting. And very often, we were told to hush or quiet down because there was too much laughter. Really hard not to laugh with this group of ladies.

Knowing that I had a group of ladies to run with every weekend really helped to keep you accountable. It helped greatly having that company when training for my many half marathons. Also, when becoming a mom, having this pool of knowledge about motherhood really helped me when first becoming a mom. This group truly is more than just a running group and more of a family. 

We all really love her and her missing presence at the runs is very much known. I miss seeing her on those runs and hearing her tell old stories and providing her wise knowledge running and life lessons. 

Melissa Schiskie

I would say I joined the group because I was looking to run and Polly had a “no one gets left behind” mentality. So, I really have always had someone to run with but can still choose to run my own training and just be with the group after. There have been times when I skipped the runs all together but still went for the friends (and coffee). Polly has always been such a dynamic person, very witty and so funny. I have loved the weekly “Polly Mail” emails. She has always been very welcoming and inclusive – a true sparkplug, and the glue that has kept us all together. It’s truly not the same without her.

Explanation of award certificate, from Denise Dollard:

The Women’s Run 5K and 10K was first run in May 2012 and was last run in 2019 thanks to Covid. It was a hallmark Posse event. But, Polly’s idea of having a Learn to Run group prior to the race was probably the best idea ever. We met once at the Spackenkill High School track where Polly would lead a group of runners through a program based on the book “Couch Potato to 5K.’’ We often had more than enough volunteers to go around. The participants in the Learn to Run program would be taken through pre-run, stretches, and do walk/run laps of the track. It was a perfect way to introduce people, especially (but not only) women, to running. At the end of the training program, the participants were invited to run the Women’s Run 5K for free. I know there are many, many women and men who started running and still run today thanks to Polly’s program. Pictured below is an award that was given to Polly in the final year of the Women’s Run. A well-deserved honor!