Prairie coaches lead by example

PALO - Motivation to promote fitness can be found within a Cedar Rapids Prairie coach and his duel with diabetes.

Girls assistant cross country coach Mike Dankert received news he had diabetes about three years ago, and has been learning to live with it since, even using it as a tool to show the positive lifestyle changes he has made.

'It keeps me focused and it helps me manage my nutrition a little better,” Dankert said. 'We bounce ideas of each other and the girls can hear my discussion with myself.

'That's one of my motivators; to keep moving and work out with the girls as much as possible.”

Head coach Corrie Enyart and assistant Ashley McFadin joined Dankert to participate in the Pigman Triathlon sprint race on Sunday as a relay team.

Members of the 'P X C Coaches” said their goal was simple: To train for the fall season as well as set a motivational example for their runners.

'This is a perfect example,” Enyart said. 'You stay involved and they see you and that keeps them motivated. They realize it's a lifestyle thing.”

The incentive for off-season training begins with the Pigman Triathlon, Enyart said. The coaches' team, in its second year of participation, and more than half of the Prairie varsity squad competed Sunday.

McFadin handled the swimming portion of the three-person relay. She always has had a knack for running and racing, but as the middle school coach, the promotion of health and fitness at an early age is her main priority.

'I just want to encourage the really healthy lifestyle while they're still young, so that it's a lifelong commitment,” McFadin said. 'There are so many negative things in the media that we, as coaches, feel we can nip in the bud while they're still in high school and are most vulnerable, psychologically.”

The passion to coach and promote a healthy lifestyle for young athletes comes from a missed opportunity. McFadin didn't start running until she was in college and doesn't want some of her athletes to feel they've missed out on the same opportunities.

To be able to reach out and connect with her athletes, early on, is inspiring for McFadin.

Dankert said the triathlon wasn't as much of a place for competition as it was for a bonding experience for the coaches.

'In August (during the long course races), we'll bring out our girls' team, as many as we can, to help marshal the run course,” Dankert said. 'So they can see that they're starting something new that they'll be able to do until they're 90.

'It's become one of our traditions.”

The P X C Coaches team finished 12th out of 22 teams.