By Staff Writer, Narbeh D.

Finish.

Whether they be long distance or short distance runners, track members often have this word in mind during a race or even a simple warm-up.

            These track stars are all very resilient and healthy students.  They participate in a sport that not only requires talent and leadership but technique and efficiency.  They rarely take breaks and they hardly ever disappoint.

            “The practices have been tiring, but it is a good feeling of tiredness,” mid-distance runner Angelica Pike (’10) said.

            The track program, after taking long strides during the past three years, has finally achieved something great.  The members have consistently brought home good results, making the school extremely proud of each and every one of them.

            “For the most part, we are doing well for such a small team and have a quality team,” track coach Jennifer Capehart said.

            The track team, like most other sports, begins its day during sixth period.  The team starts with some simple drills to allow for the players to stretch their muscles.  After sixth period, the members of the track team get down to business, as they practice until about six in the evening.

            The team begins by jogging two laps around the football field.  This exercise allows for the muscles to slowly loosen up and prepare for the rest of the workout.  At the end of the two laps, the muscles are still fresh but not completely loosened up.

            The athletes spend time stretching out their calves, thighs, and legs.  These stretches, if done correctly, will prepare anyone for running, as the burning sensation is only the beginning of the muscles being toasted.

            After the stretches, a true test is brought forth.  The members run 200 meter (about half the size of the field) sprints.  Each person tries to achieve a mark of about 27 seconds or less for that distance.  The sprints allow for each runner to improve their technique and their explosiveness.

After placing two good times, one begins to wear down near the third and may be near exhaustion on the fourth.

But, the main thing to remember during these drills is to simply finish.

            After completing this task, the runners are prepared to take on their field events whether they be hurdles, the long jump, or working with the blocks to improve their technique during relays.  The hurdles may seem fun at first.  The sweet feeling of gliding over the hurdle makes you feel overconfident.  Yet, seeing Jonathan Mai (’08) jumping over a hurdle that reaches his waist is enough to make the heart skip a beat.  The long jump and the blocks provide for a rather small break in this day of agony.  

            Towards the end of the day, the runners may cool off by running a mile.

That’s right—cool off.  After the mile, if one has not kept themselves properly hydrated, they may come to feel like their mouths have been permanently glued shut.

            The day slowly comes to an end as the members either go to the weight room or perform their PSP (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups).  In the end, there is no way of escaping a week-long pain in the legs.

            “Our sport is your sports punishment,” Brian Trejo (’09) said, explaining how the track team views this grueling sport.

            On Mondays, the team tends to work on their running, but on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the team will branch out into their field events.

            “During a race, while you wait for the gun to go off, the adrenaline just gets you pumped up for the run,” short distance runner Jessica Ruvalcaba (’10) said.  “When the race starts, you lose contact with reality and it is just you and the track.”

            Although you may not be able to wake up in the morning or laugh without your muscles hurting, the only thing that matters is that you finally finished.