'Crazy Czarman' unleashes power: Coach does first Q&A
 

MILFORD - Czar Bloom started coaching Milford High School's cross country and track and field teams in 1998.

Last year, he won a state championship as the coach of the boys track and field team and earned the title as Coach of the Year.

In this question-and-answer session, the coach talks about winning states, running in the heat and a new superhero.

How did you get into coaching?

Once I became a teacher at MHS, I definitely wanted to get involved with track & field and cross country. As a four-year runner and senior captain of the cross country team while at Lake Forest High School, I got to learn under a great coach, the late Jim Blades.

He inspired my love for the sport; thus, he inspired my love to coach the sport as well.

What's different about coaching cross country as opposed to track and field?

Coaching track & field is insane compared to cross country. For one, I have about 40 kids on the CC teams as opposed to 80 on the track & field squads. Plus, I'm coaching for one 3.1-mile race at each cross country meet, but with track, I'm preparing my team for 18 very different events. It gets overwhelming at times.

How did it feel to win the boys state track and field championship last year?

It was nice to see the guys come together all at once at a very special meet. That synergy was truly amazing.

You were named the 2004 state track and field coach of the year. Did you deserve the award and why?

I appreciate the fact that other coaches recognized the success of the MHS track & field program last season.

I've worked hard to establish a tradition of success here at MHS during my tenure. Earning the Coach of the Year award was nice.

It was about 90 degrees at the Lake Forest Invite. How do your runners deal with the heat?

Hide in the shade. No seriously, they have to drink plenty of fluids the night before, and of course, all through the day.

Then, it's just a true test of one's spirit to go out there in the beating down heat and humidity and force one's body to the max in a grueling race.

The girls cross country team looks good early. How far can they go?

Only they can decide. I will lay out some plans and guidelines during practice, but when it comes right down to it, they will have to find the passion and desire to succeed. It has to be something they want.

Maybe they'll find the spirit of last spring's boys track team. I sure hope so. It would be nice.

You used to run. What do cross country runners think about while running all that way?

Depends on the runner. Some aim for certain runners that have beaten them in the past. Some concentrate on hitting times, feeling the rhythm of their stride, or evaluating their physical well-being and deciding when to push it a little more.

Others may sing a favorite song, while some might just be wondering, "How did I let Coach Bloom get me into this?" or "What will ever happen to my body if I fall out and roll off the trail out here in this desolate terrain?"

What's the strangest thing you ever thought about on a run?

During those runs, I get a real sense of clarity in my mind and seemingly solve all the world's problems.

Then, the run ends, I return back to the everyday grind and remember I still have a stack of 50 atrociously bad essays to grade in time for midterm progress reports.

Speaking of you running, can you compete with your cross country team?

I set the Bloom barrier in practice. Hopefully, by the end of the season, my entire varsity is ahead of me. I encourage them to beat me. Right now, they still have some work to do.

Who is the most talented athlete on the cross country team?

Talent is a funny word. They all are very talented in their own special way. I'd rather not judge talent; it's better to see results.

Right now, they all are using their talents to make progress and achieve success. The results have been positive so far, and they always can improve.

Who is the funniest member of the team?

They all make me laugh at some point in the season. That's what makes coaching fun each day.

Who is the most improved athlete you've ever coached?

Wow, that's a good one. We've had many athletes improve over the years, but Andrew Meade is a great example from the start of his career until now. Tricia Gerken from last season's team put together another great career after making wonderful strides each season.

Jessi Rivera and Chad Carpenter also had a wonderful passion and self drive for improvement in their running as well.

Alan Hill, one of your track and field stars, is starting for the football team. Does that worry you?

Certainly, but that worry is low on my list of priorities concerning worrying. I'm hoping some great spirit is watching out for him and protecting him and all my athletes. I would never want to see any of my athletes face an injury. It's tough to endure.

If you could be a superhero, which one would you be and why?

Crazy Czarman. In a time of great uncertainty and adversity, he'll jump in and unleash his Power of Goofiness to make light of any difficult situation.

Maybe then, we'll all be able to . . . Have fun!