Caitlin Shepard, senior track and cross country runner, has running in her soul. She’s logged 7000 miles, broken school records, and is racing toward her future.

The four year marathon

Shepard was on varsity her freshman and sophomore years, but “was not very good,” according to Shepard’s track coach, David Antczak, social studies teacher.

“Caitlin’s first two years were injury prone, a little rocky, but when she emerged her junior year [and] did some fantastic training in the off season with cross country, she came to us and her growth has just been steadily increasing. She’s getting progressively better,” Antczak said.

But that progress takes dedication. As a long distance track runner, Shepard trains to build her ability to sustain longer endurance speed. Shepard will usually run about 40 miles a week, she says.

The training has paid off. This year Shepard broke school records in the three mile course during cross country and the 1600m and 3200m during track.

Shepard doesn’t just lead on the course, however. She’s a cross country captain and seasoned runner who leads the others on her team, Antczak said.

For Shepard, however, one of her biggest challenges is not leading others but preparing herself for the individual work it takes to win.

“I could think about everything I have to do and think about strategies or the race because every race is different, so it has different competition,” Shepard said. “I’ve learned to be able to handle certain situations mentally and physically because running is not just a physical sport, it’s also very very mental.”

The road ahead

Shepard will be attending University of Kentucky next year on scholarship to study in the medical field. But even though the path ahead may be challenging, she plans to pace herself so she can keep running toward her goals.

“I’m really excited to meet my new team and just start working and hopefully qualify for nationals, [but] my biggest worry is getting behind in my classes because I’ll be traveling to different states and colleges,” Shepard said. “I’m hoping [managing school and running] will be an even blend because I’m going to have tutors that will help me, but I’ll be missing quite a bit of school to travel. It’s kind of scary to think about.”

But she quickly admits, “It’s the price you pay for being an athlete.”

The experienced runner says she wants to keep setting and reaching her mileage goals, and having her coaches and parents motivating her helps her to keep pushing for higher and better results, she said.

“I know if I get this mileage,” Shepard said, “it’s like one mile closer to getting to that goal time.”