This week I had the pleasure of speaking to one of the best coaches in the state, Coach David Nunez of Organ Mountain High School.

Coach Nunez recently retired from coaching and teaching after 35 years of commitment. During our time we talked about his start in running and the amazing coaches he got to learn from and on to his own start to coaching.

He told me what it means to be a coach and what he learned from the first time he was called coach to now. We also talked about what went into his decision to retire. It is not something he took lightly and you can still hear his passion for the sport as we talked.

We briefly spoke about a couple of his great athletes that are graduating this year and what it has been like to coach athletes of that caliber. I'll have to have him back on to talk about some of the actual training they were doing.

I really enjoyed our time and I hope that you enjoy it as well. I can understand how his passion has helped his program over these years.

It's been a few months, but I hope that this is the start of getting back on a steady schedule. In the meantime, enjoy this episode and hydrate as we start hitting these higher temperatures again. By smart in your training, listen to your body, and keep running, New Mexico.

Patterson Yazzie III, a remarkable 24-year-old Navajo runner, motivates others through his running, weightlifting, and storytelling. Initially, running helped him lose weight, but it ultimately played a vital role in saving his life. Patterson's diverse pursuits include podcasting, as well as being a devoted brother and uncle. His impressive running career encompasses a wide range of distances, from 5Ks to 50-mile races, including celebrated marathons in Boston, Chicago, New York, and Berlin.

We touch on all of these topics in our conversation and more, including putting his goals out there for everyone to see. He's chasing big things and I think that's great motivation for all of us. Patterson has a great attitude and tons of energy that make him a great follow on his own podcast, PY3. I hope you enjoy the energy and the first episode of 2025.

We are coming off of our first major cold snap of the year and it looks like the temperatures will be rising to something a little more moderate (at least in the Duke City). Personally, I will always take the cooler weather over the summer heat, but either way, make sure you dress appropriately, hydrate, and listen to your body. Good luck with your own goals in this new year. Be kind, help each other out, and keep running, New Mexico.