Coaching Brian

An inspiring story of a young runner moved by his coach's determination.

Getting Ready to Race

Gusts of wind whipped across the high school football field that chill spring afternoon. But Charlie Kane buttoned his old military topcoat higher and kept his eyes fixed on the scrawny kid in red shorts running the track. His stride was too long for his size.

"Brian loves to run," the woman standing next to him said. There was just a trace of pleading in Sue Boyett's voice. Divorced for nine years, she was looking for a strong man to coach her 11-year-old son. A friend had introduced her to Kane.

The stocky man in his late 50s with sandy gray hair tied at the nape of his neck didn't look like a coach any more than Brian looked like a natural runner. In fact, he was now a proofreader at a printing plant and hadn't trained a runner in years.

After finishing his laps, Brian sauntered over to his mom, glancing at Kane out of the corner of his eye.

"Your mom says you like running. But do you really want to be coached?" Kane asked.

"Yeah, I guess," Brian said, avoiding his eyes.

But Kane wasn't settling for a halfhearted commitment. He kept probing until Brian met his gaze and said, "Yes!"

"Then I'll train you," Kane said.

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