Athletes treat running as more than a hobby

Laura Gieseking
Staff Writer
April 8, 2004, Page 6

The middle distance and distance runners on the women’s track team eat, breathe and live track.
From the way they dress in the morning, to what they eat at lunch, to what they do on a Friday night, everything revolves around running. They are among the most dedicated and motivated athletes at Doane.
“From four to six you go to track practice and run,” freshman Amanda Lee said, “But you spend the whole rest of your day thinking about it.”
They have been continuously training and competing since before the school year even started. From getting up at 5 a.m. for a morning run to an intense weight lifting session after practice, they are constantly training to become faster and stronger.
“I have not had a week off of running since the beginning of last summer,” freshman Ashely Noel said, “But that is okay because I am a runner.”
Doane’s women’s track team has developed quite a reputation over the years. Winning two national championships and 14 consecutive GPAC championships, the women’s track team takes pride in their accomplishments and strives to maintain their success.
The key to this success is not just the year-long preparation and total dedication of the women, but the positive leadership displayed by the coaches and the teammates.
The women’s middle distance and distance runners are led by the motivating leadership of one woman. Though she appears like a lamb on the surface, senior Brittany Price has the spirit of a lion. She leads by example not only with her words but with her actions.
“We always see her give 110% at every practice,” freshman Ellie Windle said, “And she also motivates by not letting us accept anything except our best.”
Price has been a member of the track team for the past four years. As a freshman she played on the basketball team, but the spring track season opened her eyes to something special.
“I chose to focus on track because it was such a team-oriented group,” Price said. “I had never been on a team where I knew the coaches and teammates truly cared.”
Price has never questioned her decision to dedicate her life to track.
“It controls your life,” Price said, “But I chose for track to be a part of my life. They are my family and my support system. Even if you are suffering in pain, you are suffering with a lot of other people, and it brings you closer.”
Many people question why a person would subject themselves to such self-inflicted pain. From shin splints and stress fractures to fatigue and dehydration, track athletes must overcome many obstacles. They are also expected to maintain the same intensity and motivation throughout the year. This can be a very challenging goal to maintain.
“I’m not going to lie,” Noel said. “Some days I am like ‘What the heck am I doing this for?’ But the feeling of accomplishment is far greater than the pain of practicing. There are definitely more positives than negatives.”
Spring outdoor track has already started and the women are preparing for round two. Though a small break between indoor and outdoor track would be nice, when it comes down to it, the women have become dependent on their demanding track schedule.
“It is a weird day if I don’t run,” Lee said. “I feel very out-of-sync and lazy. But Sundays, Sundays I rest.”