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TRACK AND FIELD SPOTLIGHT -- UD'S DISTANCE RUNNERS
March 26, 2008
What's the furthest distance you've ever run? "13 miles." - Sydney Hubbard "The furthest distance I have ever run is twelve miles." - Maureen Bulgrin "I think 12 miles is the longest run I've done. I was with a group of seniors my freshman year and we went to John Bryan Park for our long run. I was only supposed to do 10 that day, but I didn't want to turn around and risk getting lost, so I just stayed with the group."-- Emily Deet "I think the furthest distance I have gone is somewhere around the 12 or 13 mile mark."-- Angela Conlon "13 Miles."-- Kristin Terry What is the biggest misconception about distance running? "The biggest misconception about distance running is that people think they can't do it. I think people get it in their head that they would never be able to run as far as we do. Well, if Forest Gump can do it, anyone can do it. All it takes is a little dedication. It's very rewarding and worthwhile. " - Sydney Hubbard "Most people think they can't do it. Distance running is not a skill you're born with, but one that can be learned by anyone with the desire to do so." - Maureen Bulgrin "I think sometimes people have a misconception over who a distance runner is, however, I am here to tell you that everyone on the distance squad is completely different. Everyone has their own opinions, thoughts, feelings, and personalities. It makes for a really great place to be and one of the reasons I think we all like running so much."-- Emily Deet "The biggest misconception people have about distance running is that the further you go the better you are. To be honest, anyone can run 10 or 20 miles. It might not feel good and probably not the best idea for just anyone to do it, but lots of people misunderstand quantity versus quality. No matter how many miles you log, they mean nothing unless they are quality miles."-- Angela Conlon "The most common misconception I come across is that a distance runner does not feel the same discomfort or soreness as the regular person does when exercising, but the reality is we do. (answer inspired by Ben Beachler)"-- Kristin Terry Do you enjoy running inside or outside better? "I prefer running outside...I just like to be one with nature." - Sydney Hubbard "I would definitely prefer running outside. It is easier to breath and there is the constant change of scenery." - Maureen Bulgrin "Running outside is way less boring. Plus, it's real easy to hop off a treadmill if you are tired, but if you are four miles from your home you can't stop or else it will take a lot longer to get back."-- Emily Deet "Outside. Clearly."-- Angela Conlon "Definitely outside!"-- Kristin Terry What is one thing you want the readers of www.DaytonFlyers.com to know and understand about your sport? "Running hurts, but it is the single most satisfying thing I participate in. It gets me through each day and is an integral part of my life."-- Maureen Bulgrin "Track is really a team sport. We are all individual runners, but in the end, how your team finishes is extremely important. I think all of us have that same attitude about our team. We are an extremely close group of girls and we want everyone to run their fastest at each meet. Seeing how a group of 30-40 girls, who are all very different, can come together and represent our school is a really great thing."-- Emily Deet "No one looks at us and thinks we are having fun, but if we weren't having fun we wouldn't still be running after all these years."-- Angela Conlon "When racing, distance running actually has a strategy. You can't just go all out for the whole race. Different paces and efforts are involved in order to maximize ones ability for the best time."-- Kristin Terry What is a typical track meet like for a distance runner? "The typical track meet for a distance runner consists of a long day measured in trips to the bathroom. We usually run one event. While we're waiting for this event, we're cheering on our teammates, wrestling with our nerves, and staying hydrated, thus resulting in an extensive day punctuated with many bathroom breaks." - Sydney Hubbard "Distance runners normally only compete in one or two events because of how long their events are. Normally a distance runner will compete in a relay and a single event."-- Maureen Bulgrin "It all depends on what and when you are running. If we get there real early, part of the day may involve taking a nap, or just hanging out for a little. I've been the second to last race for most of the meets, so I like to go around and watch my other teammates in the other races and events. I also like to try to make as many friends as I can, whether that means talking to the officials or walking by a famous runner multiple times until they notice me. "-- Emily Deet "A typical track meet for a distance runner goes like this: (1.) Get there, find a bathroom, (2.) Shake out run, yes do it outside no matter how cold it is, (3.) Find someone to braid your hair, (4.) Bathroom break again, (5.) Our events are spread out all over the place, from the first to the last, so usually we are on our feet warming up, racing, or cheering on the team the whole day, (6.) Use the restroom for like the 50th time, and (7.) Then another longer run."-- Angela Conlon "I hang out and cheer on others until about an hour before my race, then warm up for about 45 minutes, get on the line and race! It is a little different depending on the distance of the race. After the race, there is a cool down, stretching, and then watching the rest of the meet."-- Kristin Terry How do you feel you stack-up compared to the competition, especially in the Atlantic 10 Conference? "Our distance program has been steadily improving over the few years I've been here. I think it has to do with the great coaching staff and the hard work the girls put into this sport. The A-10 is a conference that is deep with many talented distance runners. However, we're definitely gaining more respect in the conference. " - Sydney Hubbard "I am confident of my capabilities and anxious to compete. "-- Maureen Bulgrin "Our squad has improved tremendously over my fours year at UD. It's so amazing to see the transformation in every aspect, but especially in our races. Everyone is working so hard, and I am so excited to see how that adds to the overall team score at conference. The A-10 is a very strong distance conference, but we are all very well prepared and I have no doubt in my mind UD will be well represented in the distance events at the outdoor A-10's this year. "-- Emily Deet "Distance is tough because it's a Midwest sport. In this region, you can find good competition anywhere you go. The A-10 is also a deeply competitive distance field so looking back through A-10 and UD performance history, our teams and times keep getting stronger and better but it doesn't guarantee we place better in A-10's because distance running is changing, especially for women, and each year the bar of excellence raises."-- Angela Conlon "The A-10 Conference is very competitive in distance running. I have a lot of people to look towards for motivation."-- Kristin Terry When you're tired, how do you mentally and physically keep going? What goes through your head? "When I'm tired, I physically just focus on putting one foot in front of the other. I hear that's a good thing to do when you're running. Mentally, I usually try to sing some sort of Celine Dion song. Nothing gets me moving better than a little Celine." - Sydney Hubbard "I can't explain it. It is a determination to perform and an irrational desire to run faster than anyone around you. "-- Maureen Bulgrin "When I'm tired during a workout or a race, I like to think back to all I have done to prepare for what I am doing. My teammates, coaches, and myself have all put so much into my training that I know I am not only running for me, but all of them. It helps to know people are supporting you and want you to do well. "-- Emily Deet "If you run distance, you are always tired. But I think the way we get through it is with each other. We talk through our long runs, usually a good conversation keeps us going, but when we are running hard, or in a race, we know that our teammates are equally tired and hurting, and we run for each other. Often times I think to myself I can finish this race, or keep going because if I do, then they will keep running with me, and I want them to do well, so that's how we pull each other through it."-- Angela Conlon "When I'm tired, it is mostly mental toughness. Half of training and workouts is learning how to be mentally tough and to push through the fatigue. A lot of the time, I split the interval or race into smaller intervals and just think about getting through that part rather than thinking about the entire workout/race."-- Kristin Terry How did you get into running and why do you do it now? "I was sort of tricked into running in the seventh grade. I was all set to try out for the volleyball team. Then one of my best friends told me to come out for cross country. She said that practices were in the morning and afterwards we got free breakfast. And I love breakfast...so I followed my stomach. I've been doing it ever since. I still do it because competing in distance running is sort of like joining the mafia...once you've kissed the ring you're in for life. " - Sydney Hubbard "My dad was a coach and he thought I had potential. I do it now because it has become part of my life and I couldn't imagine not running. "-- Maureen Bulgrin "I played soccer all my life, but my middle school didn't have a school sponsored soccer team, and everyone played a school sport in middle school. Cross country was the one thing I could join and still go to soccer practice. I still played soccer, but I also joined the team so I could be recognized at the pep rally and get to wear a sweet jersey to school. Real important things, huh? I got into it, really enjoyed running and competing, focused solely on running in high school, and now I know I am very blessed to have been a member of the UD cross country and track and field teams."-- Emily Deet "I started running my freshman year of high school because I was not interested in any other fall sports. I kept running because there is this intriguing thing about it, and you always want to know how you can get better and improve. I'm still running because I still want to know how I can get better, and what I am capable of doing."-- Angela Conlon "I first started running with my father and his group in the mornings when I was in elementary school. It was something that made me feel different than other kids. I run now because it relieves stress, keeps me fit, and all the girls on the team are really great."-- Kristin Terry |
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