Mandy Perkins, Age: 21, Daytona Beach, Florida, graduate from the University of Florida.
Why do you do you run cross country? I run because I like to stay active and enjoy living a healthy lifestyle. I like how running is an individual sport where the saying “you get what you put in” directly applies. I like how you don’t need any equipment or field or team, you can challenge yourself wherever you are at any time.
How long have you been doing it? I have been running since I joined my high school’s cross country team my freshman year in 2005, so about 8 years.
Do you compete in this activity? Yes, I competed for the track and cross country teams at the University of Florida for the past four years, and in that time we won four SEC championships.
Most challenging aspect of running: The most challenging aspect of running would be staying patient with your training and having faith in how successful you can be. It can take a long time to see certain stages of your training pay off, but you must stay positive and trust your training. Running is also a 24/7 sport; you are constantly in training throughout the day. Because your body is your only tool – unlike team sports, you can’t have a substitute or collective team effort to lean on if you’re having an off day-. You must constantly be on your “A” game, because you are your own team. The smallest detail, such as an hour loss of sleep, the wrong food choice, not enough stretching, the slightest hints of dehydration or failure to recover can completely throw off a race or workout. This can be mentally draining, but definitely doable with a strong mindset and building good habits.
Most fun aspect of it: The most fun aspect of running is sharing experiences with my team. We go for 30-minute shake out runs during the afternoon after a morning workout and that’s where most of our jokes come from. It’s our time to relax and talk about our day and catch up with each other. It’s a combination of relief from finishing our workout and the combined pleasure of getting to enjoy a nice jog. We travel all over the country for races, so finding trails and running in different cities always revamps my interest in running.
Most rewarding aspect of running: The most rewarding aspect of running is the undeniable, invigorating feeling of being alive. There’s something empowering about being in total pain, and at times delirious, but finding something in yourself to finish the workout or do the final rep when most would have given up. Giving it all you have the final mile of a tempo run to see if you can negative split, fueling the moment of going into the last lap of a race thinking “turn it on NOW” while digging as hard as you can into the track. Every workout you put your heart into will directly pay off, it’s just your choice if you want to work for it or not. You are your own biggest competition.
Who/what inspires you when you’re feeling weak? When I am feeling weak with my training or mindset about running, I think about those who cannot do what I do. People who do not have the ability to walk, or those who are sick or weak. I would feel selfish having the ability to pour my heart into my physical activity and not acting upon it or appreciating it. Even when the sun is beating down on me and I am exhausted, I think about how lucky I am to be outside and alive, how I am still walking this earth and feeling things such as pain instead of nothing at all. I am so blessed to have two legs, a healthy heart and everything I need to accomplish my goals. There really is no excuse. God gave me the talent to thrive in a thrilling activity, so I plan on thanking Him by doing it for as long as I am able.
Advice for others who’d like to get started: My advice for others who’d like to start running is to not be intimidated by what’s ahead of you. The training that you think is hard now will seem easy to you in the future, and in time you will conquer your inner-doubt, it’s just a matter of putting your head down and covering some ground to get your confidence up. Wear the right, supportive shoes, the most stylish ones aren’t necessarily the best for you. Eat right, but don’t be too critical on yourself (cheat sometimes to stay sane!) Leave the bad days behind you and always look forward. Be patient, training takes time to pay off… and do yourself a favor and watch the movie “Prefontaine” to get pumped up!
Your must-have equipment for this activity: A supportive pair of trainers, the perfect fitting sports bra and a sharp pair of spikes!
Favorite training song: ‘X Gon Give it to Ya’ by DMX
Favorite healthy food: My favorite healthy food is fruit! Blueberries and blackberries are my favorite, along with dried mango. I also love Greek yogurt. I’ve never liked oatmeal but I’ve taught myself to like it, and now it’s my go-to sustainable food before a race.
Favorite not-so-healthy food: Chocolate…. Anything chocolate. I once went through a phase when I ate brownies before every 6am cross country workout. (I actually did pretty well those workouts, although I credit my bizarre ability to thrive off sugar highs, which I shouldn’t recommend.)
Funniest /weirdest/most awkward experience doing your activity: The most awkward experience I have had while running is my constant battle with gravity. It is easy to get your spikes stuck in the track, especially when you are lethargic and are dragging your feet when tired. I have also taken many tumbles when trail running, tripping on roots or holes. When you are doing a tempo run, you are so focused and in the zone to not fall off pace, that sometimes you lose consciousness of what is around you. But hey, when you fall, you just have to get up and keep going!
