Here at runladylike.com, Fridays are all about sharing the inspiring stories of fit people who motivate all of us to be better tomorrow than we were yesterday. My Friday FITspiration series profiles runners, triathletes and casual exercisers who are making choices every day to be as healthy as they can be – in both huge ways and through simple, small victories. Their stories are about the journey of transforming from ordinary to extraordinary each and every day.

 “Don’t sweat the small things in life, seize the moment that you are experiencing and realize that you can accomplish anything that you set your mind to.” ~Doug K., Chicago

Today, I’m excited for you to meet Doug K., a special education teacher and running coach at a middle school in the suburbs of Chicago. In addition to teaching 7^th grade math, coaching track and field and wrestling at his school and volunteering at a sleep-away camp for young adults with Down Syndrome, Doug has been a Brooks I.D. member for 8 years. Brooks I.D. stands for Inspire Daily, and the program includes more than 800 members who are active in their running communities and share a passion for running happy. They are runners who are winners in their own right: Winning their age divisions, accomplishing their personal goals, pushing their own limits and encouraging others to do the same.

As a new running coach myself, Doug’s running and coaching experience inspired me, particularly his work with young adults with disabilities. His story is sure to inspire you too. Find out what this dedicated runner, teacher, coach and mentor had to share.

Tell us about your running journey. When did you start running and what inspired you to start?
I started running when I was in sixth grade. I loved, breathed, sweated and bled running and put many running miles on my legs since that time. I have always been a distance runner, and that is where my true running passion lies. My sister was my inspiration to start running. She is 3 years older than me and ran cross country and track as a distance runner. Growing up, I would go to her meets on a regular basis. Being around the positive energy and people that comes with the sport always made me happy when I was younger, and this is when I began to fall in love with running.

What motivated you to become a running coach? 
I started working with my fellow students in high school who had disabilities as a junior. They inspired me and helped shape me into the person I am today. I always enjoyed working alongside my peers in the classroom setting and that led me to want to help them perform on the field. Having been an avid runner for many years, this led me to work with athletes at the Special Olympics. I enjoyed being able to help the athletes challenge themselves to become the best athlete they could be.

Do you have a favorite moment that stands out during your coaching career?
Having coached Special Olympics track and field, basketball, middle school track and field and wrestling, many “favorite” memories come to mind. All of those memories revolve around sportsmanship and the camaraderie among teammates. Like when an athlete scores a basket and then the bench would erupt in applause and cheers. Or when a long jumper or high jumper hits his best height or distance and his/her teammates are glued on this jumper because they all know that athlete is on the cusp of hitting their personal record, or PR, and that person hits it and you hear nothing but the screams and cheers from their teammates and coaches. Or watching my younger brother (who is much faster than I used to be) not only beat my times but continually PR at his meets. Anytime I have an athlete in any sport go out there and give it their best; that is what matters most. I don’t care if it’s the fastest, highest or first win of the season. The smile of the athlete from their sense of accomplishment is what goes down in my book as a “favorite” memory.

What do you think are the most important attributes in a running coach? What should people looking for a running coach be thinking about?
I think a running coach is someone who is personable, knowledgeable and motivating all at the same time while not being overbearing. A running coach has to understand the hardships that come with running but must also be able to help people overcome those hardships. Not only should a coach help their athletes overcome any running hardships they may have, but they need to continually motivate their athletes to push themselves to do better and help them realize that the race within themselves is 99% more important than whatever race or competition they may be competing in.

You have been a coach for the Special Olympics. Tell us about that experience and how the athletes you coach motivate you.
I coached Special Olympics track and field for 5 years and basketball for 2 years. It isn’t just the athletes I coached that inspired me. It was all of the students with disabilities I have worked with over the years that help motivate me. I am also a Director for Camp PALS Chicago – a 1-week sleep-away camp in the summer that is specifically designed for young adults with Down Syndrome. All of these interactions with people with disabilities in many different contexts is what motivates me. The biggest lessons I have learned throughout the years from working with young people with disabilities is to not sweat the small things in life, to seize the moment that you are experiencing and to realize that you can accomplish anything that you set your mind to.

Watching athletes perform their personal bests at the Special Olympics is when I first started to realize these 3 key lessons. The beaming ear-to-ear smile of an athlete that is glowing and radiating positive energy because they just made a basket or ran the fastest they’ve ever run. Or being at Camp PALS Olympics and watching the campers going ecstatic because their team just won a simple 3-legged foot relay race. You realize right then and there to seize the moment and soak it in for what it is. Weeks of hard work and determination toward whatever goal you set for yourself, in life or sports, is something that you can always accomplish.

What advice would you share for new runners just starting out?
Running can seem daunting and tough. Simply put, NEVER GIVE UP. You can always do it. Remember running is as much, if not more, mental as it is physical. Don’t worry if you are the fastest on the field. Set your personal goal and go out there and beat YOUR personal goal … don’t worry about everyone else.

You are a Brooks I.D. member, which means Inspire Daily. How do you try to inspire people daily through your running and coaching?
I try my hardest to be who I am. I think my passion for running and the sports of track and field radiates from me when people talk about it. I try to make my passion for running as contagious as possible, causing athletes that are brand new to the sport of running to fall in love with it, while continuing to make seasoned athletes fall in love with the sport all over again.

How can people connect with you?
People are welcome to email me at dougkocur@gmail.com.

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Looking for more FITspiration? Check out this interview with fellow Brooks I.D. member Jerod Honrath who has run more than 50 marathons and 9 ultra races.

Do you know an exceptional coach who takes their leadership into their schools, into their communities and into the lives of their athletes? Nominate them to be part of the Brooks Inspiring Coaches Program now through May 30. Learn more and nominate your favorite coach here.

Disclaimer: I am a Brooks Running Run Happy Ambassador. I was fortunate to meet Doug through my connection with the Brooks team. As part of my ambassadorship, I receive free products to test each month and compensation.

What inspires you most about Doug’s story? If you know a coach who inspires you daily, tell us about him or her in the comments below.