Ezekiel Coyler is one of the 2022 recipients of the LVRR Scholarship.
LVRR: What college will you attend and intended major of study? Do you plan to run while attending college?
EC: I will be attending Messiah University for Finance, participating in the Honors College,
and will be running on the cross country and track teams.
LVRR: What age did you start running and why?
EC: I started running around the time I was in first grade with my mom. It was just a way to
burn energy and enjoy exercise. I ran more seriously the next year when my school had a
timed running fundraiser. My friend Alex Lyon and I would forgo traditional recess
activities and run laps instead.
LVRR: What is your greatest accomplishment in your running career?
EC: My greatest accomplishment in running was placing 2nd at the 2021 District XI Cross
Country championships. It came with a lot of satisfaction as I missed most of my
previous season due to an injury.
LVRR: Describe an experience where you had to “sink or swim.” What did you learn from it?
EC: I view every race as a sink or swim moment. Part of the reason I am drawn to running is
that it is unique in the fact that when you are on the racecourse, there is no one who
can do the work for you. You cannot rely on a teammate or a coach to cover for your
mistake. When you are out on the course, you are alone, and you are forced to take
responsibility for your performance. Running has taught me how to push through
difficulty, and take responsibility for yourself in that way.
LVRR: Who has been your most influential role model and why?
EC: My most influential role models are my parents. They have taught me what it looks like
to work hard, love people and treat them well, and live a life that glorifies God.
LVRR: What would most people be surprised to learn about you?
EC: As much as I love walking around in running shorts, I love wearing more formal clothes
just as much. I even started my own tradition at school this year called “Blazer Tuesday.”
LVRR: What is one word you would say to someone who has just started running– whether it be a youth in the LVRR Kids Series, or an older individual- about why running is worth it?
EC: For anybody who has started running, be consistent. Whether you are trying to build
your fitness, build your health, or simply build relationships, it all comes through
consistency. In order to get the most out of running, you must be consistent.
LVRR: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
EC: In 10 years I hope to be a financial advisor working at an independent advisory firm. At
that point I will likely be participating in more triathlons and LVRR group runs.
LVRR: Is anyone else in your family a runner?
EC: My mom is the origin of my love for running, and we still run together frequently.
LVRR: Who is in your running support network?
EC: Foremost would be my parents and coaches, as well as my teammates who double as
my best friends. I also consider the fine folks I have met through group runs and the
running community to be valuable to me as a support network.
LVRR: What events did you run in high school?
EC: In high school I ran cross country and competed in the 3200, 1600, 800, 4×800, and the
occasional 4×400.
LVRR: What is your favorite event to watch that you don’t do yourself and why?
EC: I love watching the pole vaulters fly through the air. It is such a technical and
underappreciated discipline that looks like a blast to compete in.
LVRR: What cross training do you incorporate into your running routine, if any? Do you focus more on cross training in the off season (if there is an off season for you!), or do you tend to cross train throughout the entire training cycle?
EC: I normally take two weeks off after the track and cross-country seasons to constitute an
off season, but run year round otherwise. I do enjoy sprinkling in some cycling,
especially if I have an injury that prevents me from running as much as I would like to. I
also weight lift year round both because I enjoy it, and because the added strength and
general fitness benefits my running tremendously.
LVRR: When faced with a rare but disappointing race finish or workout, how do you pick up and
motivate yourself to try again? Is there a specific running mantra that has helped you pull through disappointment?
EC: The biggest thing to keep in mind after a disappointing performance is that your identity
is not running. It is easy to get your value and identity wrapped up in performance, and
while a poor outing may be disappointing, it does not mean you are worthless.
LVRR: What extracurricular activities (outside of running) and community involvement have you participated in?
EC: I am very involved in my church where I am the worship leader for the Youth Group as
well as play the drums in services. I participate in a business club called DECA. This year
my partner and I had the privilege to travel to Atlanta to compete in the International
Competition where we placed top 20 in the world!
