Patience, community and a deep love for the sport drive Piedmont High School senior cross country runner Connor Coffman as he leads the Wildcats into another fall season. From his earliest days in the sport to travel meets and summer mileage, Coffman has built his running identity around learning from others and staying steady through the grind.
“My team has always been a place I’ve been able to learn from others. Whether that be someone just as fast as me, or incredibly faster, there has always been something for them to teach me, and me to learn.” That mindset traces back to his first-ever coach, Coulson, who helped Coffman understand that running could be both hard work and something to truly enjoy. “The person who immediately comes to mind would be my first-ever cross-country coach, first coach for that matter, Coach Coulson. He was someone who taught me the love for running, that I could both put in work and enjoy running… The last thing he said to me before leaving was something along the lines of ‘Never stop running, you have too much to offer yourself.’ That has stuck with me 5 years after the fact, and just recently have I understood that. I still run by this mindset, that running can complement my life as much as it hurts. It brings structure, community, and self-respect.”
Coffman’s favorite meet is the Chile Pepper Festival in Fayetteville, Arkansas, a travel race that blends competition and atmosphere. “My favorite place to compete has to be the Chile Pepper Festival… Unlike other races, it’s not the course itself or the times that are the most exciting to me; it’s the environment. Everyone there loves running, almost bypassing the nerves of a race completely… That is what I enjoy about being on the team: I get to be a part of something that everyone loves together.”
Summer training has reinforced his belief in patience and smart mileage. “Summer has felt like a slow start, but patience is key. What seemed like dull mileage is starting to compound for me… You’ve got to be patient. In many ways, urgency in running can hurt. Learning to take care of yourself and take the time you need to do quality training over quantity can make a huge difference.” He pairs that with a love of high mileage and a strategy built around getting stronger as the race goes on.
Away from the course, Coffman finds balance in choir and credits former teammate Landry Finch for helping shape his growth and keeping the sport fun. Now a senior, he is undecided on his next step but trusts the lessons running has taught him. “I have faith it will all work out, just as running has and just as it has for all my other friends.”
