"Chasing Dreams One Mile at a Time: My Journey to the 2023 B.A.A. Half Marathon 🏃‍♂️💪"

Dear Universe, The running community has been my loyal companion since my adolescent and teenage years, from XC to indoor and outdoor track and field. Today, I proudly wear the hat of Head Coach for the BPS XC team. I've even had the privilege of announcing indoors at the world-famous Reggie Lewis Center for the MSTCA and covering the New Balance Nationals scholastic track championships. The support, kind words, and genuine love I've received along this journey are truly priceless. However, let's get real here. Over the years, I've been on a rollercoaster when it comes to getting into shape, often derailed by the unpredictability of life. But here's the plot twist I'm about to share with you: I'm gearing up to conquer my first goal, which is to run over 10 miles, and my second goal is to complete the B.A.A. Half marathon on November 13th, 2023. You see, I'm no different from you, regardless of age or background. I may be close to the sport, but I haven't always taken my health seriously. Completing the B.A.A. half marathon is not just about crossing a finish line; it's a promise to myself for better health. Because the healthier I am, the better I can be as a husband, father, son, cousin, friend, Coach, and blogger. So, mark your calendars because I've got a date with destiny, and I'm determined to show that "Dreams Are Tangible Goals." 🏃‍♂️💪 Let's lace up and make this journey one for the books! With love and determination, Hatim Jean-Louis 🌟 #BAAHalfMarathon #DreamsAreTangibleGoals #healthierme

H: The Strength is in the Pack Trailer

In 2015, Coach Hatim Jean-Louis, also known as Coach H, undertook the remarkable task of revitalizing a struggling citywide cross country running program in Boston, MA. This cooperative team was designed to bring together students from various public high schools across the city. However, the journey was far from easy. In the initial years, faced with a pool of 50,000 potential students, Coach H grappled to assemble a complete team of seven boys. Even those who participated often found themselves at the back of the pack during races. Through nine years of unwavering dedication and hard work, the Boston Public Schools Citywide XC program has experienced tremendous growth and transformation. Coach H's efforts have borne fruit, with the team making significant strides. Notably, Coach H is currently working on building a complete team of seven girls, a remarkable achievement in itself. Furthermore, the boys' team is now within reach of a historic milestone - qualifying for the MA State Championships for the very first time.

Reflecting on the journey, let's take a look at the team's progress over the years:

• - Fall 2015: Boys team average was 19:57, placing 24th out of 25 teams in Division 1.

• - Fall 2016: Boys team average improved to 19:44, finishing 24th out of 24 teams in Division 1.

• - Fall 2017: Boys team continued to improve with an average of 18:07, achieving 19th place out of 26 teams in Division 3.

• - Fall 2018: Boys team's average further dropped to 17:46, securing 11th place out of 29 teams in Division 3.

• - Fall 2019: Boys team continued their progress with an average of 17:17, resulting in an 8th place finish out of 27 teams in Division 3.

• - Fall 2020: The pandemic took a toll on BPS sports, necessitating a restart due to new alignments.

• - Fall 2021: Boys team's average was 19:04, attaining a 12th place finish out of 20 teams.

• - Fall 2022: A significant milestone was reached as the boys' team achieved an impressive average of 17:17, securing 4th place out of 24 teams in Division 1C. This marked the first time BPS was ranked among the top 20 teams in Massachusetts and a top 10 team in Division 2.

  Coach H's dedication and perseverance have not only transformed the Citywide XC program but also the lives of countless students. The progress made over the years is a testament to the power of passion, hard work, and the indomitable spirit of athletes and their coach.H: The Strength is in the Pack chronicles the team's historic season.

  Full film dropping 9/22/2023 Help us document Season 2.

  https://gofund.me/79a2d29f Film by Wolpertinger

  We are Live with Coach H the Most Unique Persona in Track and Field plus Cross Country For Interviews, Livestreams, Podcast

  ----- Follow Coach H -----

  ▶ Subscribe to @CoachWeAreLive Youtube Channel

  ▶ Subscribe to We Are Live Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-are-live-with-coach-h/id1660684241

  ▶ On Twitter: @coachhlive

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  ▶ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachh.live

  ▶ On our website: https://www.coachh.live/ For business inquires:

A Reimagined White Stadium Community Meeting Today 6-8pm (ZOOM)

A Reimagined White Stadium Community Meeting Today. The proponent will be sharing their proposal for the space and we will ask for community feedback in reviewing their proposal. The City's vision is to ensure this remains a BPS Athletic Hub and a treasure for the local community, and we would appreciate your support and feedback during the meeting today from 6-8pm. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81429973735#success

We Are Live !! @CoachHLive New Day New Opportunities

Long Time Coming !! Decided to Believe in myself.

Just Joined Instagram: CoachHLive

Just Joined Twitter: CoachHlive

I am in the cocoon stage this is new it’s fresh but I am excited about the new platform. I will be conducting Interviews, Previews and Meet Recaps at CoachH.Live

1st Run of 2021 | Gotta date with Destiny

Soundtrack of the Day: Find Ya Wealth

At this stage of my life, I am still a competitor, but running is a place I find solitude. Plus I am looking forward to spending time with my family. If you get a chance you can follow my journey on Strava, I am usually on Instagram. I have neglected this audience., regardless the year may change, the weather may change the but the mantra stays the same: Dreams Are Tangible Goals

Wow so much has happened since I last posted on my Blog, since the last time I actually held a DATG podcast. I have some real exciting news. First and foremost I have joined the Parenthood Club, I am an official Member of the Good Dad Gang, when my wife (Petruvna) and I had a our first child on September 20, 2020. Bare with me as I attempt to Back to track. What’s is key is what’s special that’s about to take place in the next 76 Days.

First run of 2021. I did a 6 min warmup from my house to the Franklin Park Playstead. Ran a Mile, then did another 6 min cool down.

18 Days to Foss

25 Days to the Start of the XC Season

75 Days to _________

Sneakers: Clifton 7

35 Days In.

RUN: A Love/Hate Relationship

I started running three weeks prior to the spreading of Covid-19 in March. I remember getting ready to head to the New York City, for the 2020 Indoor New Balance National Championships. The night before I started noticing the cases where rising, and I really thought about my experiences as resident of New York City, that this virus could spread quickly. Fast forward haven’t had one organize practice of Spring Track, thirty five days later we are all isolated.

Over the last month we have been wondering about when is the next time is competition ? This downtime I have gotten to use wisely I must say. I would like to share, that I am going to bed earlier, I am reading more, eating healthier, meditating, praying more. I believe i have just begun to scratch the surface, but the goal to vibrate at level, that my work impacts, my community. Today the weather was beautiful, I decided to go for a 20 Min run.

I have been living in despair, I have been weak and inconsistent. Covid-19 had me stuck for a few, but I had to recollect my thoughts, gather myself. In my heart, with faith I believe we won’t return back to the days of old, but the new normalcy. I am curious to see how many World Records drop in the next two years because all of these athletes are inside the home, missing competition. I have also been thinking I believe the sport of Track & Field is going to explode. The only activity one can conduct currently is, walking and jogging, the means to getting fit, isn’t at your local gym memberships, isn’t in a pickup basketball, futbol or softball game. I can’t believe the Basketball nets have Zipties.

Who knows but what I do know that the power is prayer and positive thinking. Please everyone practice socail distance, wear your mask in public. Make sure your eating the proper foods, reading and training.

Dreams Are Tangible Goals

Coach H

Baystate Running @baystaterun #BSR Presents Northeast Invitational FRI Live Stream

Looking forward to tonight’s meet. My main Coach Shepp is travelling to Yale tonight as the Rams are running a DMR relay… I am going to hold it down for the team.. #FridayNightsLights Part2.. Make sure the Live Chat.. Is Jumping

Questions to my Former Self w/ Aaron Lucci @peachylucci

The running community its deep. We feel connected to strangers from the mere word of “PR”. The connection between runners goes beyond the confines of gender and class. I am very fortunate in my journey to have met some beautiful souls, amazing people along the way. In the tradition of paying it forward, i wanted to continue the Questions to my former self series. Today we catch up with Aaron Lucci. For the last few summers my main man, Coach Perry Pappas of Wakefield HS XCTF here in Mass, always talked highly about the kids who were amazing runners, leaders and teammates. Lucci was one of those kids, who is now a college graduate.

I was fortunate this past summer Year 5 for me but first time attending week one at Foss Running Camp this is where I got to see and experience the legend of Lucci

Question to my Former Self with Aaron Lucci:

Social Media

Instagram: peachylucci

Twitter: @Green_Lucci

Facebook: Aaron Lucci

First & Last name: Aaron Green Lucci

Age: 23

HS Graduated & year graduated: Wakefield Memorial High School 2014

College & Year of Graduation: The University of Vermont 2018

Running Club: Battle Road Track Club

Events:

PR’s 8kxc 25:04 3k 8:30 mile 4:11 1500 3:51

DATG: Who are your biggest influences in your life and why ?

Aaron Lucci: My two biggest personal influences are defiantly my parents Pam & Rob. My mother ran at Wakefield High school (with coach Deke and Duff) and still runs now, completing her first half marathon this past year(2019). Her parents both started running during the jogging boom of the 1970s, and ran into there late 60s. My grandfather completed his first marathon in the 1980s and my grandmother completed her first half marathon a few years ago 2008 when she was 67 . From day one I have been so fortunate to have overwhelming support from them. My dad did not play any sports in High School (also Wakefield High School) but began running in his late 40s as my sister and I became involved in the sport. My father has had a much bigger influence on my musical tastes. Giving me all of his records, and buying me my first iPod in 2008 (which I still have). He first introduced me to Jazz, The Grateful Dead, and Jimi Hendrix. I still remember him pulling out Jimi's "Electric Lady Land" Album when I was in 5th grade. Later when I was starting to play bass in school Jazz band he gave me Herbie Hancock's "Headhunters" album, and Charles Mingus's "Mingus 5x" album. Both parents have given me the tools and inspiration to become the runner and musician I am today.

DATG: Who do you listen to or what artists gets you in the zone before competition or do you have different warm up routine ?

Aaron Lucci: I typically do listen to music on the way to competition, but as soon as I am out of the bus or car my ears are out of the headphones. In high school and college I would always try to be a good team member and not isolate myself in a meet setting. I remember Mike Rutt (current UML coaching staff) talking about how he used to do his drills listening to music, but stopped at some point and found he was more relaxed and raced better. I have continued to try to be in the moment in the hours before competition. However on the way to the Battle Road Workout tonight I hope to listen to Mac Demarco.

DATG: if you have a chance to go for a run with anyone in the world who would it be and why ?

Aaron Lucci: I would go for a run with my old roommate Pat Coppinger (Lowell, UVM) because he has the most interesting stories.

DATG: What inspired you to start Vlogging ? What’s the url address (I will Hyperlink it)

Aaron Lucci: I was inspired to start Vlogging after watching Bri Ilarda's VLOG about training and her day to day life. I have always loved taking pictures and this feels like a natural extension of that.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPMFDT3NJ7G80FfLCnYccCw?view_as=subscriber

DATG: what’s your go to cereal ?

Aaron Lucci: Cheerios

DATG: What was it liked being Coached by Coach Perry Pappas ?

Aaron Lucci: I got to see Pap turn the program around. He was an assistant until my junior year at which point he became the head cross country couch. I can still remember him explaining what the difference between an aerobic and anaerobic run to us, using a white board as we sat on the outdoor track. I always felt like he could explain why we were doing the workouts he gave us, and he was always learning something new. I had complete trust in him as a coach, and I think that is one of the most important things an athlete can have.

DATG: what advice or experience would you like to share to the future Freshmen who will be entering Wakefield High School and they are interested in running?

Aaron Lucci: I almost played soccer the fall of my freshman year, and making the decision to run cross country was the best decision I have ever made.. Ill say it again running Cross Country was the single best decision I have ever made. My advise , Don't Quit.

DATG: When & Where did you run your personal Best in your most memorable race

Aaron Lucci: A race I will never forget is the America East DMR Indoor 2018. I ran the 1600 leg smart and we finished 2nd. Awesome race, and the only conference medal I got with a relay team in College.

DATG: When did you first started running competively?

Aaron Lucci: I won the middle school mile in 8th grade. That's the first race I can remember being excited leading up to it, hurting during, and feeling exhilarated after.

DATG: Where do yourself in five years ?

Aaron Lucci: In five years I hope to have lowered all of my college PRs. Everything else is out of focus, but I will probably still live in or around Boston, and call my grandparents on Sundays.

DATG: Why do you keep coming back to Foss Running Camp ?

Aaron Lucci: Foss is the first place I met a group of adults who all ran in college and put running first in there day-to-day. Not to mention all the friends from different towns I made in High school who became role models and future teammates. I keep coming back because I know I can pass on that focus and hopefully inspire some high-school kids to run in College. On a selfish level, its the best week of training I get all year.

DATG: why are you still running as a Post Grad ?

Aaron Lucci: The desire to improve my PRs, a love of racing, and a love for training. The first two I have had since day one, running the mile in middle school gym class. Its only been in the past four years I have slowly come to realize just how good it feels to be in great shape and to strive for that feeling. Once you are in love with the process there's no turning back.

DATG: Why battle Road Club

Aaron Lucci: After College I reached out to a few clubs in Boston and Battle Road was the first club to get back to me. Now that I know more about the other clubs around Boston I am glad I am here, because there are no hobby joggers on the team. There is a diversity in ability, but all the people on the team seem to be focused on running. It is also great to now train with a bunch of guys from America East I used to race. (and who used to beat me) I also like that we are underdogs and not too big. USATF Club Nats is next week in PA! (dec14)

Great Questions, I can't wait to hear from other athletes and coaches!!

Best