As I'm sure is obvious, running in college isn't exactly identical to the high school running experience. For one thing, you don't see nearly as many pairs of Jesus sandals at a track meet and that is a huge culture shock. So, dear readers, because I love you, I'm going to share some of the biggest adjustments/differences that I experienced so that you can mentally prepare for them. Or if you're already a seasoned college athlete, I guess you can just laugh at my struggles.
Perhaps the most glaring difference that every wide-eyed new freshman will take note of is the difference in length of the championship races. For the women, we only move up by 1k. The poor guys have to run the 10k, which is double what they had to run in high school. Neither one of these transitions really makes sense to me, and telling strangers your 6k time isn't nearly as satisfying. They just sort of squint at you and go, "So...is that good or...?" And you won't even know how to answer them because it's a 6k and you have absolutely no idea what is going on so you're in the same boat. #FreeThe5k2k16
Racing itself is a big adjustment. Freshman year in high school, I was just the gawky new kid who only owned two sports bras and felt awkward wearing spandex, so I didn't have many expectations for myself going into races and finished in the top 100 at bigger meets felt like a pretty big deal. As time when on and I started actually caring about running, I began expecting to finish higher at these meets. My junior and senior years, I placed top 10 in both Bob Firman and NXR, and finished in the top 50 at NXN. So, this year, when I was back in the middle of the pack at pre-nationals, conference, and region, it was a little bit weird. I just have to keep reminding myself that it's exactly where I started when I was in high school, and that I just have to keep moving up from here.
As far as pre-meet stuff with the team goes, it's entirely different. Gone are the days of the coaches vs athletes laser tag battles and the post-race Krispy Kreme eating competitions on the men's team. Because traveling is focused entirely on the race, you usually arrive and leave with only the time you need to prepare for and run the race. Occasionally if there is extra time, you might go sightseeing or walk around the city, but you definitely don't go to theme parks anymore. Team apparel is also very different. Showing up to a meet looking like you were dressed by a blind homeless man is a big no-no in college, especially since you actually have matching team gear. That has been a bonus, since my high school team only started getting matching warm-ups my junior year. Also, mismatched uniforms are a thing of the past because you are sponsored by one brand and one brand only instead of piecing together uniforms out of the several you've had over the years in high school. During the races themselves, there are far fewer team moms cheering for you, mostly because the team moms all live in different states.
When you go to college, you actually have to lift and do core. Once upon a time, when my high school coaches would tell me I had to actually pick up weights in order for my time in the weight room to count, I would chuckle at their audacity and turn back to my conversation with my teammates. Core was like church for a nonactive Christian-I would do it on Easter and Christmas, and sometimes when I felt like I needed a miracle. Now it's required and my whole body is furious with me for not being more responsible before. And ignoring an injury until it goes away doesn't work. You get in trouble with the athletic trainers if you wait a month before going in to talk to them. Sry, guys.
Finally and most unfortunately, you have to get your ferritin levels checked before every competition season. When I heard that, my brain processed it a little differently as "You have to get a massive needle stuck in your arm and your precious red blood cells drained before every competition season." I don't like blood draws in the slightest. I don't handle them well. I see a needle and revert back to three years old. And the nurses all expect a mature adult when I walk in because I'm 18 years old, so they no longer offer me the pinwheel to blow on and distract myself from the stabbing. The last time I had to get a blood draw for the indoor season, I got myself incredibly worked up before it. The lady who stole my blood was incredibly unsympathetic and did not have any pity for my plight. As soon as I saw the needle, I broke out in a cold sweat and stared determinedly at the opposite wall. And like the brave little warrior I was, I passed out in the waiting room on the way out. I'm hoping that technology will come up with a way to do all of these tests without all of the needles before outdoor season rolls around.
Needles and adjustments aside, my first season of competition has been great. Having supportive teammates and coaches who helped me every step of the way was wonderful, and I look forward to the rest of my career at MSU. #blessed
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