Nearly any day of the week, one can almost always find a member of the Keene State College track team running around campus. In the gym, down Appian Way, or even jogging in the pool, it is clear these athletes are working to prepare their bodies for competition.
KSC runners Ryan Widzgowski and Lauren Markoe proved this with successful races on March 14 and 15 at the NCAA National Indoor Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska. The pair competed in a collection of middle-distance events, with senior Widzgowski completing four races within two days.
According to Peter Thomas, head coach for cross country and track and field at KSC, the physical training before this meet was very specific. Widzgowski and Markoe went through a taper phase to get ready for the meet. “The quality was a little sharper and the volume was a little less,” he said.
In addition, Thomas said the preparation for Markoe was very particular because she was recovering from a pulled hamstring. “She [Markoe] pulled her hamstring in her last race,” Thomas said. “It seemed good on the Monday before the meet, but it started to tweak again so we shut her down a little.”
However, Widzgowski said there is another aspect of training that is equally as important as physical conditioning: mental preparation.
Contributed Photo: Keene State College Sophomore Lauren Markoe battled a hamstring injury as she competed in her first national event, the 800 meter, on March 14. She finished in 16th place.
“I tried to prepare for it as mentally as possible. Going into indoor nationals for track and competing in two races is not an ordinary thing — especially for the middle distance events that I was doing. The prelims are in the same day as the finals, so the recovery process is grueling,” Widzgowski said.
The senior raced in the 1600 meter and 800 meter races on the track. He finished second and sixth, respectively, earning him All-American honors in both races. These were Widzgowski’s third and fourth All-American titles of his career.
However, with success comes the challenging route to get there. Widzgowski said he had a somewhat risky approach to his races.
“My strategy was to conserve as much energy as possible in the mile and go all out in the 800, because with the mile, the top ten go [to finals] out of the fifteen that made it to the meet. For the 800, the top eight go [to finals], and top eight is All-American. So once I was in the A [final] I was set just to focus on the mile Saturday,” Widzgowski said, “I executed how I wanted and I was pleased with the results because sometimes things don’t go your way, but this time it did.”
Thomas was also pleased with Widzgowski’s performances, and commended him for the effort he had to put in to succeed. “He was the only person at the meet who doubled and ran two individual events. He only had two hours between races, so it was very strategic,” Thomas said.
While Widzgowski was pleased with his success, he is already looking to the outdoor track National Championships in May. “I expect to double again in the 1600 and 800, and I want to do better. That’s the goal,” he said.
Widzgowski thinks this is possible, as he believes the more experience you have, the better your chances are of being successful at the national meet.
“The experience is to know that every year is different,” Widzgowski said. “You never know, there could be a new person in the race, a new guy you don’t know.”
Widzgowski is familiar with this scene, as he only recently emerged as one of the nation’s best middle distance runners.
“Last year, I was a no-name up until nationals and then I came in second. I wasn’t expected to do that at all. I learned from that — that anything could happen with any individual, so I have to make sure I prepare myself as much as possible for any situation,” Widzgowski added.
Teammate Markoe has set herself up for a similar career. As a sophomore, Markoe had already deemed herself a runner to look for throughout the next couple of years.
Markoe made her national debut by competing in the 800-meter race at the national meet. She finished in sixteenth place.
Unfortunately, this was not the finish Markoe was looking for. “I’m disappointed in my time, but I was really happy to make the meet,” she said.
Markoe said she understands that making the national meet is an accomplishment in itself. In addition, she said she gained knowledge and experience that will benefit her in the future.
“I learned that getting to the meet takes a lot of hard work,” Markoe said. “Once you get there, everyone races their hearts out, so you have to just race to the best of your ability.”
While Markoe did not produce the results she hoped for, she is driven with passion and determination to continue her success.
“For the upcoming outdoor season, I’d like to continue to improve my 800 time and make nationals,” Markoe said. “Then junior and senior year, I’d like to be an All-American in whatever events I end up running.”
Markoe has her coach’s confidence behind her as well.
“She’ll definitely be back at indoor nationals next year and hopefully this spring for outdoor. As a junior and senior she’ll be motivated to get back to the meet. It’s a progression; I think that she’ll be an All-American by next winter, she’s following the progression a lot of our athletes have in the past,” Thomas said.
Widzgowski may only have one season left to run at KSC, but both athletes say they plan on making the most of their remaining time as KSC runners.
Diana Pimer can be contacted at dpimer@keene-equinox.com
