Inspiration can come in many forms, but without it, we rarely achieve our goals, and may eventually find ourselves caught in that spiraling descent into discouragement. Juxtapose the many middle-of-the-pack, middle-of-the-road-runners (who figuratively “cross continents” in accumulated mileage, still searching for that elusive “outstanding accomplishment”) with the rare runner who seems to grasp success, again and again, and you will see inspiration in the flesh.
Men’s College and Open Race
For Florida A&M junior Shauib Winter, inspiration came in the form of footsteps.
“I didn’t ‘know’ who he was, but I knew who their second runner was (sophomore Evans Kirwa, fourth in 26:02). My plan was to run with them. I personally thought that I could run a 24 low.”
That runner was Sammy Vazquez, whose recent 24:37.80 second place finish at Disney was a long way off from his 24:12 best, but everything is in the timing. And Winter quickly realized that it was his time to win.
“I knew he was coming in with a fast time. It was sitting in the back of my mind. My plan was to run with him, but he slowed down and I didn’t want to lose my momentum.
“When I saw that I could win the race, I started surging. At the three mile mark he started to fall off. (At first) I thought he would come back, so I surged a lot. I think that’s when the race was won, actually.”
From the peanut gallery, it looked like Vazquez (who finished second in 25:51)—and also Kirwa—might have been playing with their pace, but Shauib was dead serious, and when surge came to surge, he managed to extend what was at first a marginal lead to one of nearly half a minute. He crossed in 25:23, the 2010 Sodexo Hatter champion, with all the rights and privileges that are associated with that title, including free food at any of the hundreds of American universities currently being served by institutional food giant, Sodexo, for one full year….actually, that’s not quite right. But he did earn a pretty good post-race meal (as did everyone else).
COLLEGE TEAM RACE – While it seemed like Embry Riddle was “just training,” when the final places were tallied, they finished in just the right places: 2-4-7-8-11-21-22, for 32 points and a decisive win. Miami (3-5-13-15-17-26-44) was second with 53 points, and Florida Atlantic University was fourth with 86 points (6-12-19-24-25-31-39). In the DIVISION 1 category, Miami was first (2-3-7-8-9-14-24; 29), Florida Atlantic second (4-6-10-12-13-16-22; 45), and Florida A&M (the Rattlers in the photos) third (1-5-19-28-30; 83). The Rattlers, incidentally, had—by far--the most enthusiastic pre-race routine—I suddenly found myself a snake fan--AND the warmest family moment. 14 schools and 112 runners appeared in the results.
Women’s College and Open Race
For women’s champion Friederike Feil, inspiration was spelled M-e-g-h-a-n G-i-l-m-o-r-e, as in the star of Palm Beach Atlantic University.
“I knew the girl because we raced together in Disney. She was strong (finishing second of 221 runners, in 17:53.00).”
Feil won Disney’s University Women’s Division in 17:42.20, which was then her personal best.
“(Today) we started out slow, and got faster. I knew I had a stronger finish, so I outkicked her. This was a PR for me (17:33), and a school record, too. She also PR’d (17:39), so I think she was happy too.
“I like this race. I brought three of my really good friends to watch. Three older ladies. I met them at a class at FAU, and they came here to support me.”
If the name Friederike Feil doesn’t sound local, it isn’t. She’s originally from Stuttgart, in the southern part of Deutschland, which isn’t quite as far south as she would have liked.
“I don’t have the beach where I live. I talked to my parents recently and they’re already wearing sweaters. Here, we sometimes run along A-1-A, and then all jump into the ocean. We just don’t have that in Germany, so I especially appreciate it.”
When applying for colleges, “I got a couple of offers, and picked the warmest spot possible. I didn’t want August, though. I normally go home for the summer, and then come back in the ‘fall.’
“My family is happy that I picked Florida. They all come here for the winter, for two months, and also spend Christmas. They’re unhappy that my studies are almost over.”
Her studies are in the areas of Exercise Science and Health Promotion.
“At the moment, the courses are so interesting, and what the teachers provide (here) in Florida…it’s good. I am going for the knowledge, to get people active, and to help people with nutrition. I want to help people.”
But running is no less important. When evaluating her current life, she finds that it is “…a big part. I schedule everything around running; it’s running, then school, then my personal life. It’s a fun sport. I do everything with the team.
“It’s (also) a time commitment. I cook my own food myself. I need the right food. But it’s relaxing. I also go to massage, and then we (the team) go to the training room where we have ‘The Ice Box’ and the Jacuzzi. We go in--hot, cold, hot, cold—to increase our circulation. We go in as a whole team, so we can suffer together.
“On top of that, I’m writing my Master’s thesis, so there’s not much time.”
No wonder she runs so fast.
COLLEGE TEAM RACE – The women’s team race, both in the College and Division 1 categories, was a duel between Miami and FAU. Miami won both, although by slightly different scores. In the “All College” category, Miami had 50 (3-8-9-14-16-20-23) to FAU’s 60 (1-6-12-17-24-31-36). Embry Riddle, led by Mrs. Sammy (Flo) Vazquez—tenth in 19:13-- placed third with 103 points (10-11-26-27-29-48-57). In DIVISION 1, Miami had 39 (2-7-8-10-12-14-17) to FAU’s 46 (1-5-9-13-18-21-24). Florida Gulf Coast University was third (3-4-19-22-33; 81). 14 teams and 112 runners ran.
Unattached
No it’s not what you’re probably thinking, although some were. The top five men were Nick Gehlsen (26:00), Novian Middleton (27:38), Matt Altman (28:18), Kenny Weliever (32:30), and Adam Vettere (33:51).
Six women are listed in the results: Allie Marshall (19:45), Lori Costello (20:36), Ingrid Zelaya (20:38), Suzanne O’Malley (20:45), Sarah Veazey (21:00), and Michelle Futch (22:48).