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 Phillip Gary Smith, a proud member of the USATF Minnesota Association out of Hopkins, MN. Why are you a member of USATF? How can an athlete of any skill level in track and field not want to be a part of an organization where the best in the world competes? Not that most of us would ever compete with the elite, but just associating with them, reading about their accomplishments, plus hearing their techniques, and receiving encouragement that might help me as a runner provides enough motivation. What is your "why"? Working on my dad's farm as a kid, maintaining several what we would today call "side gigs"-- like delivering newspapers, selling produce door-to-door, walking the steps of the university of Tennessee football stadium hustling hot dogs to the crowds--along with music lessons (piano and organ) and school, left no time for track and field. I was somewhat in shape because of these activities, earning money for my first investments (an early interest stemming from conversations with a wealthy businessman whose lawn I mowed). I failed my first quarter of high school gym class because of tumbling. I couldn't do tumbling, which required training and coordination, neither of which I possessed as a young teen. The athletics coach who taught the class ignored me because I demonstrated no particular talent. This has stayed with me because, in school, my grade average was always toward the top. Fail? That's not in my vocabulary, but it snuck in here. There's nothing like turning 30 and realizing you are getting flabby. I bought what passed for road shoes and set off to run. Then, setting my eyes on Grandma's Marathon in 1982, training ramped up. Even though slow, I ran the entire distance and got my finish. A surprise to me, I began sobbing after passing the finish line. I had to hurry and get out of there before I embarrassed myself. I subsequently discovered crying over a finish was, really, quite common. I did not know until that day. Business and family created detours from running, but after the year 2000, I began entering races again. Even toward the back of the field, I beat some others to capture a finish but won over all those who signed up yet didn't show. You lose if you don't show, so I determined I was doing okay. Finishing was my mantra; worry about placement later, finish. I wanted to participate in a trail run at the Birkie trails, Wisconsin, where, as luck had it, the USATF Half Marathon Trail Championships were competing. That was in 2019. I had completed distances longer than that and knew I could finish the race, but winning a medal was out of my league. Get your finish; that was my mantra. It was exhausting and much more challenging than I could have ever guessed. However, a surprise lay ahead. Because of the rules, two who finished ahead of me did not get their times counted toward the USATF's championship. So, my finish moved up to third in my age group, which provided a bronze medal. I could barely hold my emotions as a volunteer, Nancy Hobbs of the ATRA, presented me with this jewel of a lifetime: My first USATF medal. Realize I was turning 70 earlier that year, yet when stopping for some food on the drive back, I couldn't complete a bite without looking at the bronze again and again. I hung it from the Highlander's mirror, where it danced along as I drove home. Nothing in my medals will ever exceed the value of that USATF Half-Marathon age-class bronze. What is something that helps you focus while you train? I know two things: On distance runs, there will be plenty of places where bad patches occur. Remember, those will pass, don't give up. The other remains a mantra: you're running; get your finish. If you don't finish, you won't be in the running for a medal. If you don't finish, it will haunt you like one can't believe. You can't get it out of your mind. (Of course, injuries occur, but that is not in the same category). How has USATF impacted you? I am privileged to belong to the Minnesota USATF Association and, through them, see how caring and exciting USATF races continue to be. The talent there is exciting. I can't get to many of the national events, but the odds favor my state-level USATF. I can't get to the national dinners but work to attend our state-level award banquets. These are opportunities for me to realize the success of others, both young and more senior like me. I've made friendships just by being there and talking with others. Outside USATF how do you spend your time? Through a global 500 company where I am employed, I can do my job along with helping others who have financial problems. Many do not realize the resources available to them through this company, and upon understanding that, I began a program to inform them and have direct interaction if necessary. I write on athletic competitions, particularly road and trail races from 5k to 100 miles or more. I enjoy identifying the differences in events, even with the exact distances, because they're never the same. There are always what I call "hooks," which separate events from similar events. What is your favorite USATF memory? This would be at the 2018 USATF Half-Marathon held in Hayward, Wisconsin. While recovering in a chair after finishing, Nancy Hobbs of the ATRA came by and asked how I did. She confirmed, "You're a USATF member, right?" Yes, and they called out my name when gathering for the start. "Stay right here," she said, like I could move if I wanted. Fifteen minutes later, she came by and presented me with the bronze medal for my age group, "This is yours," she said while placing it around my neck. I had to sit back down again. I was so taken aback by what had just happened. Is there an athlete or person who inspired you to join the sport? Many have encouraged me in the races, before races, and even before they or I ever entered a particular race. These are the inspiration points in track and field: other members and racers who one meets and talks with about our sports with a point of view I may not have ever considered. I learn much on the trail from those passing me or from a short chat at an aid station. It's like a big family helping one another, not just our own cause.