Stay Healthy, Stay Happy, and Stay Hungry
It’s possible for your dreams to come true; all you have to do is go after them. Do what you can do and control what you can control. Goals can help, and they can be as simple as saying you’re going to stay healthy, stay happy, and stay hungry. The following comments are from Kerri Gallagher who has an impressive resume from the national and international scene.
Gallagher is a 2011 graduate from Fordham University. While attending, she won four Atlantic 10 titles, won the Hobbes family award as the top female student-athlete, achieved ESPN The Magazine All-District Honors, set six school records, set two Atlantic 10 records, was a five-time team MVP, and will be inducted in Fordham’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.
In 2015, she placed first in the mile (4:34.42) at the Penn Relays.
Gallagher is a three-time consecutive year winner of the Army Ten-Miler and set the new event record in 2014 (54:50).
In September 2016, Kerri was selected as the head coach for the men’s and women’s cross country team, including both the middle distance and distance running programs at Manhattan College.
When did you first realize you had a calling for athletics?
I fell in love with the sport right away when I started running back in my sophomore year of high school. My career has not been the most traditional, but every year, I’ve matured as an athlete. When the opportunity came to continue after college I knew I didn’t have the times to suggest it would work, but I knew it was the right decision.
Do you feel you gave up things during your college career? If so, what?
There are certainly a lot of social events and travel opportunities you give up to be a student-athlete, but the rewards and opportunities unique to being a collegiate athlete are worth it. I had some friends who started on the team, and over our time at Fordham, they decided to pursue other opportunities. It has to be a right fit. For me, I’d pick college athletics every time.
Do you have any weaknesses when it comes to running? If so, how do you overcome them?
I can overthink things at times. Here is where it is really important to have a coach you trust. Coach Centrowitz is always there to put me back on track when I start to veer away from what is getting us to our goals.
What is your source of motivation?
I feel I have more to give and more to get from this sport within the scope of competing. I don’t want to miss out on that. I feel very strongly that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing, and that is what drives me in my runs and workouts. Whatever the outcome, I’m going to give it my best shot.
To date, what stands out as your greatest achievement?
At this point, making my first U.S. team at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing is the highlight so far. My goal is to make more teams in the coming years.
How does it feel knowing you have an opportunity to change the lives of young athletes?
I’ve been blessed with great coaches who have become mentors. That role is extremely important for young athletes who are in very impressionable times in their lives. I am so grateful for the opportunity to hopefully be the same impactful coach for them that my coaches are for me.
How do you manage life demands with your training?
It’s all about prioritizing and time management. It’s one thing to list your priorities, but when it comes to training you can’t fake it. You have to put your money where your mouth is. There is no perfect formula and you won’t get it right 100% of the time, but again my coach is key in giving me reminders to focus on what I still want to achieve. I’ve been learning the balance of coaching and training for a number of years now and have gotten better. Always room to improve though.
How do you mentally prepare for an upcoming competition?
I spend time really looking at how my training will translate to the strengths I need on race day. We train with purpose and when you make those connections from your training to your racing, you’ll be prepared for whatever scenario race-day might throw at you.
What words can you add for the non-competitive person?
Whether you’re a world-class athlete or training for your first 5k and everywhere in between, really evaluate what motivates you in this sport and be true to that. Everyone has something they can take away from running. It’s a beautiful sport in that way.
What are three goals for the next year?
Three goals would have to be stay healthy, stay happy, and stay hungry. These are the three ingredients my coach says you need to be successful and I’ve never believed that more than now. Whatever success comes from these three things I will be very proud of.
How has your life changed since assuming the head coach position at Manhattan College?
Truthfully, not much has changed drastically. I feel this is a very natural extension of my experiences assistant coaching at American University and very excited for the opportunity to translate all I’ve learned in my competing and coaching to this new role.
