I am a very fortunate in my short coaching career of 5 years that I have met some of the best an amazing individuals that keep the sport of running alive and vibrant here in Massachusetts. 3 years ago I started my position at the Head Coach of the BPS(Boston Public Schools) City Wide team. My first experience meeting Coach Aaron Ladd was an intimidating one from a distance, honesty is the best policy, he was coaching at the time with Lexington Boys XC team a perennial program here in Massachusetts. Before I even got to shake the man's hand I just saw a School Flagged being waved vigorously side to side before the Emass Divisional meet in 2015, I was amazed. I had never seen a XC program with so much school spirit and at the helm of the charge was this man with sun glasses on. My first time as a HC at Emass Divisional 1 XC meet here in 2015 I thought I was a football game the intensity was unmatched.
Moving forward I got to interact with Coach Ladd over the last three years, from his enrollment to organizing the High School segment for the New Balance Grand Prix here in Boston Massachusetts, to his involvement as Cabin Coach for Foss Running Camp. Now as the head coach of Holliston High School XC & Track Field programs, I am even more proud that I i consider Coach Ladd a friend. Aaron is a class act, one of thee most humble, genuine individuals I have ever met. I was more amazed by Coach Ladd when I attend his house warming this past fall in Ashland, Mass, where he showed me how many races he has ran nation wide and his collection of medals. Coach Aaron Ladd a man of many milestones and achievements in his personal and professional career with a dynamite spouse in Katrina. I wanted to pick the brain of my peer especially after being a Guiding eyes for Blind Boston Marathon runner Thomas Panek. Please check out the article on the NY TIMES, A Blind Runner and his guide dog
DATG: Coach Ladd first and foremost it's truly a pleasure of mine conducting this Q&A, you mean so much to the sport of running here in Massachusetts. When did you fall in love with the sport of running ? How old where you ?
Coach Ladd: My older brother ran Cross Country & Track in high school and is 8 years older than I am, so probably by age 6 I starting Hershey track meets and trying to catch my brother. That's for the activity of running, as a kid the sports of Baseball, Basketball, a little soccer were my real interests. As i've gotten older my interest in Baseball has waned (5 hours for a game?), but I still enjoy watching local teams in hockey, football, basketball. The "sport" or running is a little tougher to describe. To be honest, the sport of running is struggling, as not many people like watch others run. What they, and myself do love is the community of running. Being on a team, building a program, cheering on neighbors and friends at road races, that's really where the love of running has come forward for me. The community of running, is unmatched by any other sport with good people, energetic events and camaraderie, but the sport of running still needs work.
DATG: Lexington is a perennial program here in Massachusetts, Who was your coach ? What was your experience running in the Middlesex League in High School ? What where your events and personal records ?
Jeff Glew was my high school cross country coach, and Bill Babcock my track coach at Lexington. I was a perennial improving JV kid to be honest. By senior year I was able to be 5-7th man on league champion cross country team, and ran 4:51 mile scoring some varsity points in track. My best memories of high school track were competitive dual meets with league rivals like Woburn and Reading, where we focused on racing rather than running times. There were some great battles and I remember focusing on giving a 100% effort not on my times, that was the best part of high school track.
DATG: Where did you attend undergrad ? Did you run in College and if so what events as well as personal records ?
I went to St. Lawrence University, D3 school in northern NY. Again I was constantly improving from being a back of the pack freshmen walk on to top 3-5 runner my senior year in XC. I never really put together a great track season to be honest, but was proud to run 4:14 for 1500m and 9:20 for 3000m both in the same league meet my sophomore year to help score team points for a conference championship. In XC I ran 26:45 for 8K and was a 1st team league all-star which I am proud of for my senior year.
DATG: What was the most difficult moment in your running career and how did you overcome adversity ?
I can't think of the most difficult moment, sometimes it was just a period of time where lack of motivation has crept in. Changing routines, signing up for a race or getting back to running with others can help with that. I've always just thought of it as a chance to grind it out when you struggle, and realize it takes work.
DATG: How many races have you ran post undergrad ? Which was the toughest course ? Which was your favorite scenic ?
Too many to count, 100+? Toughest course is subjective, but a marathon along the course of NJ had the toughest conditions 40-50mph head wind the entire way. It wasn't as wet as the Boston Marathon this past weekend, but wind was almost comical at some points, I stopped and sat down at one point to get out of the wind and wait for it to calm down. That day was all about finishing. Most scenic race was definitely the Missoula Marathon in Montana. Starting next to a cattle ranch, with sun rising over 10,000' snow capped mountains, running down a country road, with whitewater river nearby. I've been blessed to have done some amazing races around the country.
DATG: How critical is support from your spouse as a Coach/Runner ?
It helps that she ran high school XC and track and "gets it". She likes running and appreciates the time sacrifices needed to be successful. She's a great cheerleader and has come and supported teams I've coached, a little to the surprise of the kids, but is so important for us to share together.
DATG: What's your diet look like nowadays ? Do you have a cheat day if so ? What's your go to dish ?
Maybe not as good as it should be, but I try to follow a "triangle" diet for most meals. One protein, one vegetable and one grain/carb. Eat a balanced diet, avoid fried food and keep it simple. I try to know the ingredients in what I eat. Go to dish is definitely pasta.
DATG: What's the next race on schedule ? Are you traveling out the country to run anywhere anytime soon ?
I've only ever raced in Canada so no out of the country racing, but this weekend 4/21 i'm off to Olathe Kansas to run the Garmin Marathon, state #25 in my goal to run one in all 50 states. After that it's some short sprint triathlons in June in Massachusetts, a trail marathon in upper peninsula of Michigan in July and then Chicago in October, the real goal race for the year.
DATG: How did you meet Thomas Panek ? What that experience serving as guiding eye in the Boston Marathon of 2018 ?
I met Tom, about 30 minutes before the start of the race. Brooks (who i'm a member of their coaching community) was looking for a guide for the 1st half of the race, and living 3 miles from the start line made it easy to coordinate. My parents have raised guiding eyes for the blind puppies for 20+ years and Tom is the CEO of that organization so it seemed like a great connection. I was happy to do it. The experience was memorable to say the least. Tom and I were quickly able to bond and learn the procedures for guiding during the traffic of other runners during the race, there is a lot of mutual trust that is built instantly when I realize i'm responsible for his safety and he needs to trust my vision. Tom summed it up best after the race via text "If a blind man can run a marathon through this weather, make sure to not accept any excuses from your high school runners"
DATG: What does the Future behold of Aaron Ladd ?
Other than upcoming races and travel, just work and coaching. Excited to go into year #2 of XC at Holliston. It has been an adjustment leaving my alma mater of Lexington where I coached for 7 years to start coaching at a smaller town where I knew nothing about the community, but have started to build new traditions (Fear the Flannel). Being a 10 minute drive from home though really helps with the balance of work and coaching though. #GiddyUp
