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McDaniel and Dearth take overall wins at Snowflake Sprint
By Nicole Lemal (run.nicole.wvu@gmail.com)
Tristaterunnur.com
December 5, 2011
Results Photos
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Heather McDaniel, 28, did more than crossing the line as the women's top finisher during Sunday's 21st Annual Snowflake Sprint held in Morgantown.
By Nicole Lemal (run.nicole.wvu@gmail.com)
Tristaterunnur.com
December 5, 2011
Results Photos
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Heather McDaniel, 28, did more than crossing the line as the women's top finisher during Sunday's 21st Annual Snowflake Sprint held in Morgantown.
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On this course with rolling hills, the former Alderson-Broaddus College standout distance runner trekked her way to a new personal record, clocking a 17:42.62 5k and an overall third place finish. Prior to her monstrous performance, McDaniel had not broken 18 minutes ever in her career.
"It's a tough course, and I never thought I'd get a PR today," McDaniel said following her race.
Let alone drop as much time as she has since her last appearance at the Snowflake Sprint. In 2003, McDaniel remembers shivering next to the heater at Krepps Park following her 20:29.47 race. After her race Sunday, she could have used a fan to cool her off from the above average temperatures of nearly 65 degrees.
"I'm excited. It was a gorgeous day for it."
Reflecting on her improvement in the past year, she feels fortunate that she has made significant strides in her running without injuries. Sunday marked nearly a year since she has had a day off from running. At first she struggled to get through each day, especially after a few months without so much as a day off.
"It's a tough course, and I never thought I'd get a PR today," McDaniel said following her race.
Let alone drop as much time as she has since her last appearance at the Snowflake Sprint. In 2003, McDaniel remembers shivering next to the heater at Krepps Park following her 20:29.47 race. After her race Sunday, she could have used a fan to cool her off from the above average temperatures of nearly 65 degrees.
"I'm excited. It was a gorgeous day for it."
Reflecting on her improvement in the past year, she feels fortunate that she has made significant strides in her running without injuries. Sunday marked nearly a year since she has had a day off from running. At first she struggled to get through each day, especially after a few months without so much as a day off.
"Before day 80 until day 100, it was really tough," she said. "I was used to taking at least one day off, but then after that, it's like brushing my hair. It's part of my daily routine."
As part of her daily routine, she also credits her consistency in training to how she has managed to transform herself into a sub-18 minute 5k girl. What used to be overwhelming for her is now rewarding. Not to mention it's a daily motivation for her through her demanding training. Putting in the miles has only inspired her to chase even bigger goals.
"Now it's just addicting, and I keep getting better. Especially before I turn 30, I want to break 17. I'm very fortunate."
Dedication also paid off for the men's top finisher and first place overall winner. Bridgeport High School sophomore Matt Dearth ran 17:22, showcasing a huge stepping stone forward in his career from last year's race and second place finish of 18:09.78.
As part of her daily routine, she also credits her consistency in training to how she has managed to transform herself into a sub-18 minute 5k girl. What used to be overwhelming for her is now rewarding. Not to mention it's a daily motivation for her through her demanding training. Putting in the miles has only inspired her to chase even bigger goals.
"Now it's just addicting, and I keep getting better. Especially before I turn 30, I want to break 17. I'm very fortunate."
Dedication also paid off for the men's top finisher and first place overall winner. Bridgeport High School sophomore Matt Dearth ran 17:22, showcasing a huge stepping stone forward in his career from last year's race and second place finish of 18:09.78.
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Even though it was a much faster pace than last year, he said he felt comfortable leading the race, thanks to his training.
"You have to train every day if you want to be good," Dearth said. "It's tough. Last year I felt I went out a little too fast, so I took it off a little bit at the start and then I finished pretty strong, so I was happy. It was almost a minute improvement, so I'm really happy with my performance today."
Yet, he's still hungry for more. His ride quad injury earlier this season set him back to some extent.
"There's still room for improvement. I got hurt earlier in the cross country season toward the end around the state meet time, so I'm just trying to build up from then and I'm gradually getting my confidence back."
"You have to train every day if you want to be good," Dearth said. "It's tough. Last year I felt I went out a little too fast, so I took it off a little bit at the start and then I finished pretty strong, so I was happy. It was almost a minute improvement, so I'm really happy with my performance today."
Yet, he's still hungry for more. His ride quad injury earlier this season set him back to some extent.
"There's still room for improvement. I got hurt earlier in the cross country season toward the end around the state meet time, so I'm just trying to build up from then and I'm gradually getting my confidence back."
Behind him in second place, Charlie Edwards, 31, also feels he still has room left in his fuel tank. After posting a 17:35.45, he is even more determined to eventually break 17 minutes.
"It was pretty good. I've been trying to bring 17 all year, and I didn't quite get it, but I felt good going out."
Things quickly changed. A mile into the race, he started to back off his pace and was unable to pick up his speed after that until footsteps in the background rejuvenated him.
"I had Heather coming up behind me, and I kicked it in for the last 800 meters," he said. "It went pretty well, but I'm pretty disappointed I didn't break 17."
"It was pretty good. I've been trying to bring 17 all year, and I didn't quite get it, but I felt good going out."
Things quickly changed. A mile into the race, he started to back off his pace and was unable to pick up his speed after that until footsteps in the background rejuvenated him.
"I had Heather coming up behind me, and I kicked it in for the last 800 meters," he said. "It went pretty well, but I'm pretty disappointed I didn't break 17."
Even though he left the race unsatisfied, he always thrives in running local races like the Snowflake Sprint.
It's just a popular local race, really. I kinda been trying to focus on the local races and get those under my feet. I'm just trying to break 17, so once I do that, I'll have to make another goal."
Gwen and Craig Baer also take every opportunity they can to run in local road races. Doing so keeps them connected.
"We enjoy it," Craig said. "If there's a race, we'll be there."
Wendy Moore, 32 (21:15.49) and Alexandra Phares, 17 (21:21.68) closed out the top three overall female winners. Nathan Kile, 36, clinched the third overall male time (18:29.83).
It's just a popular local race, really. I kinda been trying to focus on the local races and get those under my feet. I'm just trying to break 17, so once I do that, I'll have to make another goal."
Gwen and Craig Baer also take every opportunity they can to run in local road races. Doing so keeps them connected.
"We enjoy it," Craig said. "If there's a race, we'll be there."
Wendy Moore, 32 (21:15.49) and Alexandra Phares, 17 (21:21.68) closed out the top three overall female winners. Nathan Kile, 36, clinched the third overall male time (18:29.83).
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