BLOG 10: Specially-trained Bulldogs competing in national championships

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State University runners Mikinzie Stuart (left) and Tina Muir (right) are shown here practicing at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids in preparation for the 2009 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships in San Angelo, Texas (Courtesy photo)

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Ferris State University runners Mikinzie Stuart and Tina Muir are true student-athletes – in all senses of the term.

Stuart and Muir, competing this week in Texas at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field National Championships (May 21-24), understood they needed an extra component to training for this all-important meet. Like good students, the two studied. Simulating the warmer and more humid Texas climate, while preparing in Michigan, was challenging. However, Stuart, Muir and head coach Steve Picucci went to work to developing a strategy to soften at least the initial physical and mental shock of competing in the Texas heat of May.

“Training for Texas has been pretty unique,” said Stuart, a senior from Saginaw, who earned All-American honors in March during indoor track and field season by finishing seventh in the mile run (4:58.59). “Since Texas weather consists of 90-to100-degree temperatures, and Michigan’s current highs have only been about 75 degrees, I’ve had to recreate that extra heat by wearing layers of long-sleeved shirts during workouts and runs.”

Running in her final season, as a Bulldog, Stuart hoped to wrap up her career where she is now: in the heart of Texas and competing against the nation’s best Division II track and field student-athletes.

“During the season, while most of the other girls were enjoying the nice weather in tank tops and shorts, I would wear tights, long sleeve shirts, fleeces and even jackets,” Stuart said. “I try to wear as many layers as long as possible during the workouts, but the heat makes you even more tired when you are running as hard as we do. By the end of practice, I end up shedding one or two of my layers ... especially on the warmer days.”

Ferris State University track and field student-athletes Mikinzie Stuart (left) and Tina Muir (right) are hoping to achieve All-American honors at the 2009 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships in San Angelo, Texas (Courtesy photo)

Like Stuart, Muir had to train her mind and body to cope with the climate change of going from Michigan to Texas. The two runners traveled to Texas for the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships, in Houston. However, that was in March and it was indoors. More than two months later, the two runners expect much more of a heat wave from Mother Nature this time.

“As the climate in Texas is very different to what we are used to, and knowing we wouldn’t be as lucky as we were (at the indoor national championships), when the weather was unusually cool, we tried to prepare ourselves by working out in long sleeves and winter clothing even as the temperature increased,” said Muir, a native of St. Albans in the United Kingdom. “This helped us to get used to pushing ourselves even when we were really hot.”

Muir, hoping to become a track and field All-American this week, covets the challenge, “I am very excited to be competing at the outdoor national championships as it has always been a dream of mine. It’s the meet that allows us to compete for a position rather than trying to hit a certain time. Outdoor track is also the competition that is most respected and comparable to others not only in America but around the world. So, being able to see where I stand, not only to people here but to those at home in England, will be exciting for me.”

For more on the two Bulldog runners competing in the outdoor national championships, visit:
http://www.ferris.edu/sports/track/0809news/outdoornationals09.htm

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com