Every winter, members of the outdoor track team are offered an opportunity to train and put in the work to prepare for their upcoming season, which has helped many.
“Indoor track is like a long preseason for the upcoming track season,” said freshman Avery Hannan. “During indoor track you get to focus on lifting and doing track workouts to target speed or just do whatever works for you and would help you benefit for the upcoming season.”
Sophomore Elizabeth Wanner said, “Indoor track is just like outdoor track (season) with all of the same events. It is different because the track is only 200 meters instead of the usual 400 meters.”
Speaking to how the indoor track program has expanded over the years, indoor track coach Aaron Runkle said, “We have gained athletes in the last year or two – I know three or four years ago there were about four to five kids who competed and trained – now I am looking at a roster of 20ish kids.”
Even though Runkle has done a lot of great things with the indoor track program, he did not originally start it.
“I did not personally start it myself. I just took over the role of head coach and the coordinator for all of the meets, and that came after my first year of coaching track,” said Runkle. “[I] pretty much had this passion to not want to stop coaching and to be able to help kids become the very best they can be so not only do they make it to states and achieve medals but have the opportunity post-high school to gain scholarships and compete in college sports.”
Both Wanner and Hannan have experienced a full season of indoor track and have both had many different memories and favorites throughout the season.
Wanner said, “My favorite part about indoor track is getting to run all of my favorite races in the warm building and not have to worry about the weather or if I’m going to freeze.”
“My favorite part about indoor track is getting to have something to do after school and to continue to build my strength and become a better athlete,” said Hannan.
Both the coaches and the players set goals for not only themselves, but for their team as well.
Runkle said that his goal for his team this season was to, “Do what we did last year but better. We trained every day and trained hard inside and out, freezing weather or not, but work has to be put in so we see the results.”
When asked earlier in the season, Runkle said he believed his team was on their way to getting to where they were last year in the season, but still had some work ahead of them.
“One goal that I had for myself this season is to build on my speed and strength,” said Hannan. “I feel as though I have achieved that goal. I am already stronger and faster than I was last year.”
“My one goal this season is to break 1:05 indoor for the 400 meters,” said Wanner. “So far in the season I have run a 1:06 and we still have one meet left so I think it will be easy for me to get the time I want.”
Even though indoor and outdoor track are very similar, each athlete and coach has their preferences as to which season they prefer.
Wanner said she prefers outdoor track because she is more likely to get the time she wants for the 400-meter race.
Runkle also prefers the outdoor season and said, “I get to coach more athletes and, personally, since I run most of the workouts with my athletes, I prefer the warmer weather … Also the state atmosphere at the end of the season is like no other for outdoor track – unforgettable experiences for the athletes and myself that will always be remembered.”
All the same, while many prefer the outdoor track season, they love their time indoor as well and would recommend the sport to their friends and anyone else who may be interested in trying out track.
“I would recommend it (indoor track) because it is a great way to stay in shape throughout the winter and to get yourself ready for the spring track season,” said Hannan.
“I would recommend indoor track to a friend,” said Wanner. “It is a great environment with great people and a good way to decide if you are interested in outdoor track.”
Featured image (above): Sophomore Elizabeth Wanner prepares to run the 200 at one of her indoor meets. The meet was held at Bucknell University in the winter. Photo provided by Wanner.
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