When Ryan Stafford graduated from Fort Myers High School in 2011 he signed with nearby Florida Gulf Coast University. At the time it seemed like the perfect fit, but after completing his first cross country season Stafford realized it wasn't going to work. He says he enjoyed the school and his teammates, but the training plan didn't fit.
"I was doing less mileage than I was in high school and less workouts per week. I was racing further for cross country and since I was doing less of everything I did not think it was the right type of training to get me in proper shape."
After one season with the Eagles, Stafford parted ways with the program. Still eager to compete on the college level, he started to train with local coach Ray Romero as well as with Fort Myers High School. He says his goal was to train with anyone he could to avoid running alone.
"I did tempo workouts, four to six miles long, interval workouts from 400 meters to 2000 meter repeats, and fartleks. The interval workout length depended on where I was in the season. In between I did easy runs ranging from six to eight miles long and one long run a week. It was very important for me to stay in shape because I wanted to continue my running career at the collegiate level ."
His initial plan was to take the year off, finish his AA Degree and then transfer in the fall, but after talking with Coach Peter Ormsby at Webber International University the plans changed. He visited the Babson Park campus, liked everything about it, and decided to come in the spring instead. Due to NAIA rules he says he can't run for the Warriors this season, but will able to compete in cross country in the fall.
Until then he will practice with the team and compete unattached to get back up to speed. He recently competed at the Jimmy Carnes Indoor Youth meet where he finished 8th in the one mile run with a time of 4:36.61. His goals are to keep improving his times and stay healthy while doing so. He says despite switching schools he wouldn't have changed the ride he has gone on the past two years.
"I was happy with my choice at first and I got to meet a lot of people that I am still very good friends with to this day, but I would not have changed it. You live and learn and that was just a learning process for me. I think I came out of FGCU more motivated and dedicated than I have ever been before."
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