A Glimpse of the MLK Dream

Worldwide people celebrating the life of the Reverend Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. An apostle of peace, whose actions, whose testimony changed how the world views race relations. Your social media timelines should be flooded with meme's of Dr.King or images of the beloved civil rights leader. 

Today i am reflecting on how Dr.King's teaching and philosophies have impacted my life and hopefully the people around me.  On August 28, 1963 the famous speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and freedom. Dr King spoke to the audience and said " I have a dream that my four little children (well) will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character". via I have dream Address  King Institute Standford University. 

I personally I am taken by the specific words from the speech " One day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Sports is a powerful tool which transcends boundaries from age, gender, culture, unites people from all walks of life. I am very fortunate that I am in the world of running/track & field. I believe that serving as the BPS(Boston Public Schools) City Wide Head XC Coach, I have been put in a position to continue the legacy and the platform that I get to utilize is the sport of running one of the venues I use is Foss Running Camp. 

Salute to the staff of Foss Running Camp, first and foremost to founder  Coach Kevin Maloney, Head Coach of Notre Dame Academy in Hingham Rick Kates, Legendary Hall of Fame Coach George Rose & Coach Dennis Sheppard of Marshfield Boys & Girls Track & Field. Foss is a special place located in Strafford New Hampshire, the longest running XC camp in the New England Area. Over the last four years i have been honored to bring the BPSXC team, by attending Foss my student athlete's and myself have established a lifetime of memories and friendship to cherish.  For a week student athlete’s seeking to get a better perspective on their upcoming XC Season, but while we are away from our respective communities, the purpose of bettering ourselves is the reason why we come together. I preach that competition has no color, humility isn’t prejudice neither is the notion to have respect for you common man. By the end of the week I tend to have bittersweet emotions, the rural areas provide peace of mind as well as an opportunity to train. Walking around Camp grounds not worried about being racially profile, if anything I am engaged in conversations with campers and faculty.

After reflecting on the pictures and reminiscing on the times, I am taking by surprise how much ground these two programs have conquered in terms of race relations. Single Parent household isn’t unique to the urban areas. I have learned that kids will be kids no matter the median income of the neighborhoods or the, educational level of the parents. I am confident that I have been exposed to students from all walks of life courtesy to the beloved of Sport of Running, which allows me to get a glimpse into what King’s Dream looked like.

Sydney McLaughlin @GoSydGO UK Freshmen Lights Up Florida Relays in 400m

#FLRelays18 Women's 400m
1. @GoSydGo : 50.07 | World lead, No. 2 NCAA in-season performer all-time, No. 3 collegiate performance all-time, NCAA Freshman Record
35. Jasmine Mitchell: 55.67 pic.twitter.com/3yakdcAIAE

— UK Track & Field (@KentuckyTrack) March 30, 2018

The Weather isn't here in New England yet, spring is however peaking her head around the corner. Hey Why not open up your Freshmen Collegiate year with a few records and now a world lead in the 400 Meters for women. For people like myself who are your average lover for the sport of running this is very exciting to watch. Leaves us with many questions now what can she do by the NCAA outdoors Championship in June ? 

.@GoSydGo 5⃣0⃣.0⃣7⃣ - 🌎leading 400m in a rainy outdoor opener at #FLRelays18.
• Only Courtney Okolo has run a faster 400m time (twice) during the collegiate season (via @USTFCCCA )
Video via SECN+ https://t.co/KsSei3A0h7 pic.twitter.com/NZ5fBAigh3

— UK Track & Field (@KentuckyTrack) March 30, 2018

#Tokyo2020 400 Meter Specialists ? Michael Norman x Sydney Mclaughlin @Mike_Norman22 x @GoSydGo

If you haven't been paying attention but the running community is on fire right now, especially performances by the Poland Men's 4x400 at the World Championship.  We are truly fortunate to watch greatness executed, this past weekend Michael Norman from the University of Southern California, broke the world indoor record in the 400 Meters with a blistering time 44.52 then anchored the USC Men's 4x400 to a new world Record of 3:00.77. In the women's 400 Sydney Mclaughlin breaks her own World Record Under 20 in the 400 meters with a time of 50.36. 

If you aren't familiar with names of Sydney Mclaughlin & Michael Norman it's time to get acclimated. Both have been torching the track scene since there High School careers. Providing me and many others the excitement of a 2020 Olympics. Both are young barring injuries it maybe safe to say that the United States should make some noise in Tokyo in the 400 Meters. 

@chrisohare1500 Keep Pushing Mate | British Trials x Monaco Diamond League 1500

In this Journey called life you meet people from all walks of life. Everyone serves a purposes. I was conducting practice for Boston United Track & XC Club for the USTAF NE Regional Junior Olympic Qualifier. I usually conduct practice at Joe Moakely Field in South Boston/Dorchester line adjacent to the JFK Umass Red Line stop. A few weeks ago, I saw a guy warming up, his drills looked official. I couldn't help but notice the Olympic tattoo and his professionalism. 

After the guy ran a blistering 200, i asked him who are you ? He replies "Chris O"Hare" i run for Great Britain getting ready for the 2017 World Championship, do you mind if I jump in with your guys". for sure we have two more 200 left. Can't say anything else but thank you Universe, conducting a track workout and an olympian is sharing the track with you, this was perfect to have a professional athlete address my kids on the importance of training and being discipline

In short Chris O'Hare we are rooting kick A$* at the 2017 World Championship. Below is Chris O"Hare peformance at the British 1500 Team trial