Winter Indoor Track is starting to wrap up, and every second matters on the track. Through long workouts, team support, and constant dedication, these athletes are showing that winter track is more than just a sport; they have to balance academics, practices, and meets all at once. They have had a very icy season since we recently had the snowstorm, and the temperatures have been dropping a lot due to the fact that they have been practicing inside and have missed some practices.

Many students join indoor track for multiple reasons; some love the challenges they push themselves to run faster times, jump higher, and throw farther, always working hard to beat their records. The encouraging team also plays a big role, as teammates encourage each other to do better and to continue working hard, to not give up through difficult practices and meets. ” I heard very good things about it, and I wanted to try out something new and meet new people,” said freshman Brittney Morales.

People are getting ready for the spring track. For some people, winter indoor track works to get ready for the spring season. The transition between seasons challenges athletes to adjust both physically and mentally. ” I like spring tracks better than winter because it’s more outdoors and I’d rather be outdoors. It’s more fun for me,” said freshman Kelsey Gonzalez.

Almost every athlete likes to listen to music to mentally prepare themselves. Listening to their favorite songs or artists helps them block out any interruptions and focus on their main goal. It helps boost their confidence and calm their nerves. It gets them into the right mindset before stepping onto the track or field. ” My favorite artist to listen to before a meet would be Brent Faiyez,” said freshman Jennifer Rivas. Many athletes choose to eat healthy because actual nutrition gives them the energy they need for the sport, improves performance,  and provides better endurance during races and practices. “I like to eat protein bars to get energy before a meet,” said freshman Brittney Morales.

Practices happen after school on the track, requiring athletes to balance challenging workouts with school assignments and personal responsibilities. Meets can be just as challenging at times, with extreme competition, and the expectation to perform at their best in little time. Even with all these difficult events, they continue to show resilience and commitment. ” I would say the hardest workout would be the 200 repeats,” said freshman Jennifer Rivas. When athletes compete against their favorite or longtime rival school, it creates a different level of intensity. They prepare themselves to perform at their best, showing determination. “I liked competing against Unity Reed High School because I won that race, and I was very happy about that,” said freshman Miguel Guzman.

Some athletes are returning runners season after season with experience and faith in themselves. After several years of training, these athletes have grown a lot mentally and physically. “I have done track for 3 years now, and I am planning on doing it again next year,” said freshman Kelsey Gonzalez. Every athlete thinks they have something they need to improve on, such as stamina, getting faster, stronger, and smarter. Every practice is a chance to become better and grow. “I want to improve on my running technique because I play soccer and I want to get faster,” said freshman Miguel Guzman. Winter indoor track is an opportunity to stay active during colder months, improve speed, build endurance, try new events, set personal goals, have a good team environment, make new friends, and build discipline. “One piece of advice I would like to give to upcoming track members would be to be confident and believe in themselves because that is the key to having a good practice or race,” said freshman Miguel Guzman. So, if you want to try something fun but challenge yourself and improve your skills during the winter months, consider winter indoor track!