Advice for incoming freshman collegiate runners
I just finished my first year of college. Wow. It really was quite a whirlwind year that passed way to quickly. Going into my first year of college, I had many hopes and expectations about what college life and athletics were like, as well as how I would perform. I had this crazy dream that I was going to PR like EVERY race and be this super fast freshman phenom (spoiler: it didn’t happen). Now that I am a wizened, hardened college student, I wanted to share some general advice about what to expect with collegiate running (no matter what level) your first year of college.
Firstly, this tip above all: Your first year of college is a huge transition. Your sleep schedule will be entirely different, as well as the food you’ll be eating in the dining halls. Classes are different, you’re walking A LOT during the day (especially if you have a huge campus like mine), and the intensity of practices and workouts is a lot harder. On top of that you have to get adjusted to a new environment, climate, friends, teammates, coaches. EVERYTHING is different. And that’s okay.
With that being said, it’s OKAY if you don’t PR your freshman year of college. Your body is going through so many changes that you aren’t even aware of that you may not have a PR in you this year. And that is okay. I didn’t even come close to my high school PR in the 800, which is my main event. And if you do PR, woohooo! Congrats! Even more reason to be proud and happy!
It’s okay if you gain/lose weight. The food at college is often different than the stuff you get at home which may impact your weight. If you’re in a program that lifts a lot, then you’ll definitely gain muscle weight. And that’s okay. Your runner’s body in high school is often not the runner’s body you have in college. As long as you feel happy and healthy, you’re golden!
Your teammates become your family. Honestly. They are the biggest support system I ever could have asked for. They are the only people on campus that are going through the exact same thing you are. They are there for you through injury, bad races, good races, and the ugly races. They are people who you can laugh with, cry with, and of course run with. After only a year of college I can honestly say that my teammates are my lifelong friends.
Have fun with it! You are lucky enough to have the talent, ability, and work ethic to make it this far, so don’t take it for granted! Make collegiate running a fun thing, not a chore. When competing at this level, you have to 100% want it and love it or else you’re just going to be unhappy. Sometimes, collegiate running isn’t for you, and that’s okay. It doesn’t make you any less of a runner or person. Hopefully you find the love and fun of running in an alternate atmosphere!
Best of luck with everyone’s summer training and stay healthy! Love y’all.
jacobvanloon
gummygunk
baratheonpilled
jbbartram-illu
janainaart
titsay
stormborns
izzy806
turnnoffyourmind
