For Tuesdays with Toyota, we are spotlighting some of USATF's most dedicated members with a short feature on USATF.org and our social media channels. Here is our feature with USATF athlete Kathleen Beebe, a proud member of the USATF New Jersey Association out of Montclair, NJ. Why are you a member of USATF? As the pandemic started and social engagements decreased, I found myself looking for community. Luckily, running was not cancelled, and I found a USATF club - Garden State Track Club - that was providing opportunities for group runs, races and workouts. When winter approached and the snow set in, the track was shoveled by the club to provide one clear lane for working out. According to the coach, all you need is one lane - I knew then that I had found my people. What is your "why"? Simply put, there is joy in being useful. It might be at work when I am helping a patient, or at home when I am helping my family, or on the road when I am helping a teammate or the club. It brings me great joy to be useful in so many ways. What is something that helps you focus while you train? When I am training alone, I focus on the sounds around me. The crunch of the salt or ice under my feet, the birds overhead. The squirrels (at least I tell myself they are squirrels) moving through the leaves. The wind rustling in the trees. Focusing on the beauty of the great outdoors helps to keep me engaged in my solo endeavors. When I train with friends, I focus on counting down the laps and rewarding myself with a cup of coffee at the end. How has USATF impacted you? USATF provided so many opportunities for growth in the pandemic and beyond. As work slowed down, I spent my free time getting a USATF Level 1 coaching certification and USATF apprentice official certification all via zoom. Armed with some coaching knowledge, I helped coach the USATF Montclair Youth Running club and cherished the joy of sharing my love of running with children (including my daughter who also tried out and enjoyed the long jump). I worked as a referee but realized that it is hard to be a good referee when you are so distracted by the strength, beauty, and grace of the athletes that you forget you are actually working. Finally, USATF provided me with a place and opportunities (XC club nationals and LDR grand prix races) to really be excited about turning 50. Outside USATF how do you spend your time? I am an orthopedic surgeon, wife, and mother of 3. That keeps me pretty busy. But outside of that I spend much of my free time with my teammates enjoying life. And lots of my time with my running bestie, Kim, having fun. See us on IG @kathleenandkim. What is your favorite USATF memory? USATF XC club Nationals in 2021 in Tallahassee. I hadn’t done a XC race since 1992 but the 50’s gals needed a third member. My mom hadn’t seen me race XC since 1992 either so she came along too. The joy of toeing the line with the Jersey gals in Tallahassee, landing on the podium and sharing it with my mom is something that I will forever remember. I’m trying to get my mom back to Tallahassee in 2023 but this time to run, I’m pretty sure she has a shot at winning the W80s. Is there an athlete or person who inspired you to join the sport? I have been running since middle school and my first recollection of being inspired was in reading about Vicki Huber. She inspired me to run XC and track in college. There is room on our 50’s team if she wants to join!