Kara Scanlin on Summer and Preseason, 2007
Story Links
Sept. 4, 2007
August 25th marked the first day of official practice for the Virginia Cross Country team, but the long run of 10-12 miles for the women and up to 16-18 for some of the men was just another day of training for us this summer. My preparation for Cross Country began at the end of June subsequent to taking a week off after the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Because I was injured and red-shirted Cross Country and Track second and third year, my coaches and trainers requested a medical hardship and clock extension from the ACC and the NCAA, which would enable me to complete my eligibility during my sixth year. We began the appeal process this spring, but the procedure took all summer and the NCAA did not award the extension until the middle of August – which made for a little uneasiness this summer!
Coach Dunn was confident that we would be successful in our efforts to extend my eligibility, so the uncertainty I had did not affect my summer training. I was able to establish training routines in June that I stuck with throughout the summer months. I arrived back in Charlottesville in the middle of July and was grateful to have some of my teammates here to run and spend time with. The combination of consistent training routines and interaction with my teammates enabled me to steadily intensify my training throughout July and August.
My off-season preparation was not without setbacks. I struggled with lower back pain and a mild hamstring strain that restricted my running. I did not have to take very much time off, but my training was limited to easy-moderate runs; I was unable to do some of the harder workouts I had hoped to do. In spite of (and in part due to) these setbacks, I am energized and excited going into our second week of practice this season. I feel the same enthusiasm from my teammates and am encouraged to have everyone on the same page now – setting our sights on the ACC and NCAA Championships! We return almost everyone from last year and I am confident that our first-years (and one transfer) will supplement the team dynamic we have in place. The camaraderie that we share and the bonds that we continue to build will certainly aid in our success this year.