Chasing Records: Bishop England Girls Track Talks Season

What made you and the team decide to go for school records?
The girls' team is coming off a very great cross-country season, the girls put the miles over the winter and they are looking very strong. We have had several great additions to the team since last track season, we knew we had a very good chance to set some school records. We know that when it comes to longer distances recovery between those events is crucial, we gave the girls that were running the longer distances on those relays the choice of going for one or two records (4x1 mile and/or DMR), they were all in to go for both. 

How old are the records? Does the prior holders know about the record being broken?
The 4x1 mile was 11 years old, DMR 10 and the 1600 SMR were four years old. Some of our SMR relay girls have been texting with the four girls that set that record, the girls were very supportive and happy for our girls. I do not believe the four girls that set the DMR and 4x1 mile back in 2011 and 2012 (same four girls) know about those two records being broken.

How do you prepare for this?
We just went on with our training without making any major changes. Working on LT to build their endurance so that our distance girls could handle the back to back was part of their training. Our Sprinters had some specific interval work three days before the meet. We knew they were ready, but we didn't finalize lines up until the weekend before. We wanted to make sure they were excited about the opportunity but they didn't psych themselves out.

What kind of confidence does this provide once achieved?
Our girls' team has big goals this season, the whole varsity team embraced the weekend, making a video, interviewing their teammates and making sure they supported them. We can see how the excitement is building up for the second half of the season.

South Carolina track and field rankings

Bishop England MileSplit SC track and field team records list

What does it mean when achieved?
For our more experienced runners this is a big confidence boost, we always tell them to 'trust the process' and this is an indicator the process is working. It has also brought them together as a team, they know they can trust and rely on each other.

What's it like for you during a meet and any specific race?
I try to make myself available to them as much as possible, race day is not about training anymore, 'the hay is in the barn' but more about being present for them. We are a seven person coaching staff and we are all over the place at any given meet. I am usually at the finish line calling splits and talking to the kids. The ongoing joke is that the bigger the meet, the more likely I need back up timers as I seem to let the excitement carry me away when the gun goes off. We see them put the work, day in and day out and we want them to have that breakthrough race. 

Why do you coach?
I swam competitively growing up and did triathlons later in life. I owe so much to sports, but specifically to my coaches. I started coaching 30+ years ago, most of those years I coached swimming, later triathlon and for the last five years I have been an assistant at Bishop England for cross country and track and field. If I can give back to our athletes a small part of what my coaches did for me, I'd feel accomplished. 

What do you hope the Bishop England achieves this year?
Our team is looking very strong this year, but you never know when it comes down to state titles. Too many things out of our control, but always hope to see some fast times and PRs and hopefully a couple more school records. 

What meets are up next?
We are heading to Woodland this weekend for Coaches Classic and next week to Myrtle Beach for the Beach Run Invitational. In the past we have traveled to Columbia for All American, but unfortunately this year it falls on Easter weekend and won't be able to participate. Once we get back from spring break it is all about preparing them for the championship season. 

Bishop England athletes speak on breaking records.

How do you look at the season and setting school's records last weekend?
After beating three school records, we are very confident that our team has what it takes to have a successful state meet and we can compete well under pressure (Maggie Long - Team captain).

 After beating these school records, I am ready to work harder than ever to improve even more this season (Grace Buss).

What goals do you have this season?
As a team, our number one goal is to improve on last year's second place at state. (Maggie, Caroline, Marlee, Ava, Grace, Hayden, Marin, Nora and Lily).

My goal is to set a new school record on the long jump (17-7.25)  (Maggie Long).

I love relays! I want to be on the 4x100m and 4x400m at state this season (Lily Edgerton).

 How do you look at each other supporting the team and your relay teams?
As a team, we pray together before racing, especially when we are nervous. Prayer brings us together and calms everyone's nerves (Caroline Edgerton).
My team is one of my biggest motivators, I always remember that I am not just running for myself, but for my best friends really keeps me moving, I don't want to let them down  (Marlee Asmer an Nora Brahim).
I am new to running, but every time I am nervous before a race I know I can count on my teammates to encourage me and cheer me on. (Hayden Seay).
I think back to all the hard workouts we do together, it motivates me to know if my teammates can do XY or Z,  and I run with them at practice, I can do the same (Marin Byrne & Marlee Asmer).

What meets are you looking forward to the rest of the season?
Beach Run Invitational, our overnight trip this year at Myrtle Beach, Coaches Classic Elite and State Championships. (Maggie, Caroline, Marlee, Ava, Grace, Hayden, Marin, Nora and Lily).

How does it feel to set records? Do you focus on that or the race at hand?
Feels very rewarding to break records, it makes us realize how capable we are as a team this season. It is empowering to see all your hard work paying off. (Maggie, Caroline, Marlee, Ava, Grace, Hayden, Marin, Nora and Lily).
While Marlee Asmer, Marin Byrne, Maggie Long, and Hayden Seay focus on the record, Ava Albano, Nora Brahim, Grace Buss and Lily Edgerton focus on the race and times they want to run. 

What would you like to say to those that support you?
We couldn't do it without you!! our parents, coaches, but specially our teammates! (Maggie, Caroline, Marlee, Ava, Grace, Hayden, Marin, Nora and Lily).

What's a daily day like for you as a track and field student athlete?
(Nora Brahim)
During the week everyday is pretty much the same, other than Tuesdays since we lift in the morning. 
On Tuesdays we wake up at 5:15am for 6:00am practice and have breakfast with the team at a nearby bagel shop. 
The rest of the week, the wake up call is at 6:15am. I have a good breakfast in the morning and head to school. I try to make sure I hydrate during the day, especially Mondays and Wednesdays since they are typically our harder workout days.  
For lunch is something bland; either salad with some type of protein, Peanut butter & jelly, or hummus w veggies, a yogurt and something salty like chips. 
School finishes at 2:50, time to get changed and ready for practice. Sometimes I will have apple sauce or something small between school and practice, nothing heavy so that it doesn't upset my stomach. 
Practice starts at 3:30 with a team meeting, we discuss meet results, meet lineups and start our warm ups. 
Typically we warm up as a group by main events (distance runners/sprinters/throwers). For us, distance runners, we start with a combo of jump rope, push ups, crunches before getting into our warm up. 
Each group meets with their coach to go over the specific workout; depending on the workout, sometimes we run with the D-boys, others it is just us distance girls. 
Cool down, stretching, prayer and time to head home. If we don't have a ton of studying to do, we all head to Refuel to chat and have a recovery drink. 
Once home, depending on how hard the workout is, I take an ice bath, but most days it is just a shower, get started with my homework, have dinner about 7:00 pm and get my homework done. 
If my legs feel pretty beat up, I roll, stretch some more, and/or use our Normatec recovery boots while I get my homework/studying done.  
Bed time depends on school work, but I try to make it no later than 10:30.