Through daily practice and guidance from coaches, athletes participating in indoor track and field train with the hope of making improvements every day in preparation for spring.
According to girls track and field coach David Klein, indoor track serves as a way for athletes to be fully prepared for the larger spring meets.
“I personally view indoor track as a way to fully help prepare athletes for outdoor,” Klein said.
“Our goals are when the big meets matter in May for outdoor, we’re ready to roll.”
Klein said that he has found athletes who come out for the winter season to be fully committed to the sport year-round.
“I think you’re going to find the most dedicated athletes doing indoor and outdoor, knowing how important that indoor season is to prepare for the outdoor season,” Klein said.
According to Klein, when athletes are preparing, they should keep a daily goal in mind during the season.
“The goal is to improve every day,” Klein said, “and if that’s happening, then you’re putting yourself in a good spot.”
For junior Aaliviah Williams, indoor track will help her improve at listening and taking advice. “Something this season that I want to accomplish is just learning to take advice better, or just taking people’s advice,” Williams said, “sometimes I just won’t listen to my coach.”
Williams also said that she wants to improve her mental state during the season and on the track.
“Just learning how to stay out of my head is definitely something I want to accomplish too,” Williams said.
As a coach, Klein has also found the winter season to be mentally tough.
“I think mentally, it can be tough,” Klein said, “it’s darker and colder more of the time, so you have less time to be outside to run, and you have to utilize that time well.”
For sophomore Peter McMahon, he views indoor track as an opportunity to get back into the sport as a whole.
“I forgot to do it last year,” McMahon said, “and I thought there’s no better way to get back started than winter track.”
McMahon hopes to improve his endurance and become a more disciplined athlete throughout the season.
“I want to discipline myself, and I want to train myself to run longer, more than anything this year,” said McMahon.
For returning spring athlete Logan Boyd, he has already begun to prepare for the first winter season he will be a part of.
“Honestly, you just have to bundle up for sure,” Boyd said. “You just have to prepare yourself for whatever Coach Jimmy is going to throw at you because you never know.”
Boyd said that he looks forward to a new atmosphere and testing himself in a new environment.
“I’m looking forward to indoor meets the most,” Boyd said. “I’m excited to run on a shorter track and see how different it is compared to a 400-meter track.”
As the season approaches, Klein advises athletes who are new to indoor track to focus on their growth and avoid comparing themselves to other athletes.
“Comparison is the thief of joy,” Klein said. “If you are new to track or new to any sport, and you’re comparing yourself to kids who have been doing this, that’s not fair to yourself. 
So give yourself some grace.”