Running eight laps around a track is often physically and mentally exhausting for most people. But for Miah McAulay, it’s where she feels the most at ease.
On a sunny Saturday afternoon at Burger Stadium, Miah McAulay, a junior distance runner for Bowie High School, competes in the 3200m state final. The stakes are high, and the competition is fierce. As the gun went off, the only thing on McAulay’s mind was the finish line.
“After facing so many difficult things, feeling fulfilled is my main goal to stay strong,” McAulay said. “What motivates me to get to the finish line is how I feel after the race.”
McAulay’s journey to state consists of personal records, maintaining high stamina, and constantly working. Track and Cross Country coach, Laura Tilson, believes that being a good runner doesn’t happen overnight but is built on early-morning runs, speed workouts, and confronting self-doubt.
“Physical preparation is aerobic combined with bouts of speed work, especially towards the end of the workout,” Tilson said. “Mentally, it means knowing to stay engaged during the race and enduring.”
In a season marked by challenges, it was after long practices that Willa Bock, Marcilete Fair, and Miah McAulay would hang around and enjoy moments together. Whether it was stretching, carpooling, or just talking about workouts, the three could find ways to make tough days easier.
“My favorite memory with Miah this year is our carpools on the way home from practice,” Bock said. “ Marcilete, Miah, and I call Miah’s car the Party Bus, and carpooling home from practice together is always rewarding because it gives us a chance to reflect on the workout and share our thoughts about upcoming races.”
At state, Miah was surrounded by some of the fastest runners in the region. The nerves kicked in the night before, so she focused on pre-race rituals and a good mindset.
“My pre race routine is to carb load the night before with pasta, make sure I do an ice bath and roll out my legs so they feel ready,” McAulay said. “Right before my race I try to smile at my family to give myself some motivation to not back down.”
The race itself was brutal. The lead pack quickly separated, but McAulay held her ground in the middle of the group. With two laps to go, she started her final kick. Crossing the line at 11 minutes and 15 seconds, she placed ninth and was met by a swarm of her friends.
“It’s been really cool to experience both the individual and team aspects of cross country and track with her, as our journeys the past couple years have been close to parallel, but we’ve each had our own victories and shortcomings,” fellow Bowie track athlete Griffin Hummel said. “I admire how Miah can stay level headed, regardless of what has been thrown at her before or during a race.”
With one more high school season left, McAulay already has eyes set on bigger goals: breaking her personal record and placing in state. But for now, she’s grateful for her support team and the memories that have come from running!
“I’m thankful to my biggest supporters, who have been a few people: my mom, Coach Tilson, Coach Sindt, Coach Paul, and my friends,” McAulay said. “If I could describe my season, I would say I’m most happy about the growth I have shown in my mentality and how I am performing physically.”
