\"Christie Conversations\", with Travis Gower

GTD: When/How/Why did you start running?

Because of my dad I’ve always been around running. I did a few 5k’s in elementary school, but I joined my first cross country team in 7 th grade.

GTD: Who has been the biggest influence on your running?

My parents: my mom was the one who ran with me when I first started and she always ran road races like Peachtree when I was growing up and my dad is a Hall of Fame coach that got me involved and taught me so much about the sport.

GTD: What was it like growing up as the son of a prominent coach?

My dad is the best coach I have ever had. He taught me so much and made sure I gave my very best every time. Now that I am a coach myself, it has been a great blessing to have him. He never tries to tell me what I should do, but if I ever have a question is more than willing to help me out. I could never fill the shoes that my dad left behind. His accomplishments are so amazing. But he has helped me develop in every part of my life and it is because of him that I have so many contacts and friends in the coaching ranks.

GTD: What lessons did you learn as a high school runner?

I learned how to be a leader. I was a quiet little kid when I was a freshman and left a team captain. It just helped me gain so much confidence in myself.

GTD: What lessons did you learn as a college runner?

What it takes to be a premier runner. Running at UGA with people like Drew Griffin was a great experience. I just learned so much from it. I knew I would never be able to be a contender in the SEC, but I learned so much from watching all the amazing athletes and coaches in the conference. I learned so much that prepared me for being a coach.

GTD: What are some of the hardest workouts you did in either High School or College?

Hardest workouts were in college. My first workout for cross country at UGA were repeats of 3 miles, 2 miles, 2 miles, 1 mile, 1 mile, 1 mile with only a couple minutes. We ran on these roads outside Athens and it was so hot and difficult. I didn’t know if I could survive. In track we once did 9 x 1500m on a 5:30 interval. I could barely make it back to the start before the next one started.

GTD: What benefits do you believe kids get from being part of a team?

At a school like McEachern, we are so big; kids need an opportunity to be with a group that shares a common interest. The interactions you get with your teammates help you to grow so much. I still talk to my teammates from high school and college. It becomes a second family with all the good and bad that comes with that.

GTD: How/Why/When did you get involved in coaching?

As soon as I decided to become a teacher, I knew I would coach. I volunteered some at Parkview when I was doing my student-teaching there, so that was my first experience in it. When I got my teaching job at McEachern, my dad brought me onto the XC staff. It was great. It was my dad’s last year and also my sister’s senior year on the team. I took over the XC team the following fall and I’ve loved every minute of it.

GTD: You’ve had some outstanding runners the last few years and they have produced some impressive individual and relay times. In your opinion, what have been some of the highlights? And what was practice like with all of those guys?

I have been very blessed with the young people I have been able to work with. We have had a lot of success in the few years I’ve been there. McEachern has become known more and more for being a distance school. We’ve set so many school records and had some great races, but the highlights are seeing kids improve and go on to better things.

4 guys have really done so much for me as a coach: Justin Leach, Brian Potts, Stephen Arnold, and Ben Hubers. These guys were so good for our program. They made me work harder every day to be a better coach to make sure I made them better.

Justin was the workhorse that went from a kid that couldn’t break 5 minutes as a sophomore to running 4:22 and now runs for Birmingham-Southern.

Stephen and Brian came in as freshman my first year. Those two have made me grow so much as a coach. Seeing them compete for UGA next year will be one of my personal highlights.

GTD: Speaking of highlights, you obviously have an extremely talented runner in Ben. When did you first have an idea of his potential?

I knew Ben was special on one of his first runs. He ran with me for about 2 miles and I told him to turn around and go back while I turned around a few of the other kids that were behind us. I took off after a couple of minutes and planned to catch all of them. I got back and Ben was already done and getting water. A week later he ran his first 5k, he ran like 21:30 or something. I told him he could do better. A week later he ran 18:30 at Berry. I knew he was something special.

GTD: Do you prefer cross country or track, and why?

I prefer Track in the spring and Cross County in the fall. Cross Country was my favorite to run. It just feels like a big family. Track is so much fun though, because you can compare times with everyone in the state and country and use that as motivation to improve.

GTD: What is the toughest part of coaching for you?

Getting kids out to join the team. It has become easier because we have had some success, but getting the numbers that Walton, Pope, Brookwood, Parkview, et al. Other than that, it is the nerves. When you are racing, you can control what you are doing, but when you are coaching, you just have to prepare them and then go watch, I find that tougher.

GTD: Who is your favorite competitive runner ever?

Prefontaine posters cover my classroom. But any American that goes out there and can run with the rest of the world. I’m just a fan of the sport.

GTD: Do you still run yourself? What inspires you to run?

I do. I run just to enjoy it and try not to get fat. I still run Peachtree every year, but other than that, I just run so that I can run with my team. I still love the freedom that running gives you. I love losing yourself in a run and just flying down the trails.

GTD: If your runners only took one message from their time with you, what would you want it to be?

I don’t know that there is a specific message I want them to have. I just hope that they use running as a way to find out who they really are. That is what I did and I hope that 30 years from now I bump into former athletes who are still running and have passed down the love of the sport to their children.

GTD: We appreciate the interview Coach! Keep up the great work!