Keeping Pace with Sarah Thomas
3/27/2014 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
March 27, 2014
The John Mitchell Alabama Relays track meet was a great way to open up the outdoor season. I watched my teammates thrive in their events. It seemed as if the commentator announced a personal record, a win, or a new school record with every event. We defended our territory with focus, determination and drive. It was important for us as a team to use each other's victories as a driving force for our events. With Elias Hakansson breaking the school record in the hammer throw, and the distance medley relay and 4X100 meter relay becoming the Alabama Relays champions, the entire team was really motivated to compete with fire and dominate the competition. With the first outdoor track meet under our belts, we now know what to work on during this week of training.
It is the time of the season where we have to find within ourselves a boost of energy. The training load of practice increases as well as the intensity. Thankfully, the weather has been great for practice and we all have had an opportunity to train effectively. The main priority right now is to stay healthy. Yes, training is designed to push you to your limits, but in order to do that, you must be healthy. The slightest nick or bruise must be tended to so we can reach the level that both our coaches and teammates expect of us.
All of my teammates know the desired level at which we are expected to compete, and we are determined to meet that level with hard work and determination. In response to the training, our bodies are being put through a great deal of stress. Because of this, we have to be mindful of our bodies and to be sure that we are taking adequate care of it.
Injuries are minor setbacks in our long term goal of becoming the Southeastern Conference champions. It is natural for us to want to want to "work through" an injury at practice or competition with the idea of getting better or winning; but, ultimately, thinking this way can potentially ruin your season. Competing with an injury increases the likelihood of you worsening the injury. We have to stay focused on our ultimate goal--winning the SEC Championships. Sometimes we have to lose the battle for a better chance at winning the war.
As we all stay strong and work through this week of training, our minds are focused on being healthy, not only for ourselves, but for our teammates. Each meet and practice helps us to work towards our ultimate goal, and we must be smart in the way compete and train.
