There are two types of athletes: ones that are good at a single sport and ones that excel in any athletic challenge you put in front of them. Olympia freshman Emily Headley is the latter. Beginning in elementary school Emily held a passion for sports greater than any other passion in her life. At age seven Emily began placing in golf tournaments, and by age eight she was excelling in the game of tennis, but one sport stood above the rest.
“Ever since I was able to walk, I was able to run so I loved any sport that included running. Luckily, my parents would support any sport I chose to play, but running is my passion,” Emily said.
It was field day at Palm Lake Elementary School when Emily realized her passion for running. She won a race that was a lap or two around the school and finished ahead of the boys. Emily’s natural athleticism led her to begin track and field in middle school, where she started competing in mainly the 800 meter race.
"I never really had a specific time I realized I should run. I just loved doing it. Even if I came in last in every race I ran I would still probably run for the heck of it."
Surprisingly, Emily has only run three 5K’s in her life. Her first was in the seventh grade where she ran a 22:35 and won her age group.
“(It) was the I-Drive 5K... I wanted to pass out at the finish, but I got first in my age group, and I was ecstatic that I got a prize,” said Emily.
This prize she received for this feat made her hungry for more and really motivated her to begin to become a better runner. Beginning in eighth grade Emily began training hard and started taking running very seriously. She worked with her father and brother to help and bring her to the next level of running.
“The hard workouts would usually involve 200s, 300s, 400s, 600s, and 800s, with warm up and cool down miles. One day I had to do eight 1000s. It made me want to quit, but I knew the outcome would be great, and it definitely was.”
In eight grade Emily’s quest was to break her middle school’s 800 and 1600 meter records. She accomplished both, setting the 800 meter record with a 2:27.21 in the final home meet of her career. She set the 1600 meter record at her middle school’s district Track Fest in a time of 5:22. As a result of her success, her squad won the team championship.
“It was a great way to end my middle school career,” Emily said.
Running has also allowed for Emily to have a stronger bond with her father. He has become her trainer and mentor, pushing her through tough workouts. He is very supportive of Emily, especially when it comes to her athletic abilities. Together they sit and read running books and training books as bonding sessions. They have bonded over stories like Once a Runner and Again to Carthage and have used The Jack Daniel's Running Formula, a training guide that goes into detailed workouts for different races.
“The sport is the reason we are so close right now by giving us an unexplainable bond. He's the reason I am where I am right now. Without him, I probably wouldn't have four school records, I’d probably be running a seven minute mile and I wouldn't even be able to finish ten miles. My favorite workout is an off-day long run while my dad rides his bike next to me.”
Emily's father, Dean, got her into individual races that weren’t organized by her middle school to get her some top competition to see how good she could become. Emily's success against tough competition, in meets like Bob Hayes and Jimmy Carnes, showed she has what it takes to hang with some of the top runners in the state.
“My adrenaline was pumping knowing that I had better competition than middle school track and field. I started out not wanting to do the 1600 at all. I was adamant that the 800 was my thing until I ran at the Bob Hayes invitational and placed first in the mile with a 5:40 and second in the 800 with a 2:32.”
Family has played a big role in Emily’s life, pushing her to become better in every sport she has tried. Emily’s older brother, Michael, was the one who introduced her to the sport of running. He is a varsity cross country runner at Olympia High School as well.
“When my brother told me he was trying out, it inspired me to try out and follow in his footsteps. We had many night time runs together when I was trailing and he'd have to slow down for me and now I can finally keep up with him. He really helped me become the runner I am today.”
Now a high school freshman, Emily has begun forming bonds with her new teammates. Team captail Kaitlyn Campo has stepped up and sort of placed Emily under her wing in training, helping Emily to become a faster runner.
“Ever since summer, Kaitlyn would push me on runs to get me where I am now. She wouldn't let me back off on pace which made me so much tougher. Now we both push each other. She is a great friend and a great runner to have on the team.”
Even though Emily is a freshman, her teammates treat her with respect and appreciate her abilities. In her school’s Twilight 5K a few weeks ago, Emily finished first in 18:35. Her time was a new Olympia High School 5K record.
"That race my game plan was pretty much to keep up with Kaitlyn and hope for the best. It turned out at the 2/3 point I had energy left so I kicked it in."
The race taught her to keep position and to get out with a stronger start. These race lessons and her commitment to be a student of the sport will help Emily achieve her goals.
“My goal is to help the team out any way I can to get us to states. My coach always says you’re only as strong as your weakest link.”
Personal Bests
-
1600 Meter Run5:22.48
-
3000 Meter Run11:41.90
-
800 Meter Run2:30.45
More Coverage