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Pudlin winning 2000 Manhattan Invitational over Erin Donohue
by Don Rich
publisher of PennTrackXC
Pennsylvania's most recent Footlocker finalist, Julia Pudlin of
the Baldwin School, will have everything she dreamed of for her
senior cross country season. No, it won't be repeating as Inter-Ac
or PA Independent Schools' champion. It won't be running in the
Northeast Footlocker race the Saturday after Thanksgiving in New
York's storied Van Cortlandt Park. And no, it won't be racing to
glory at Disneyworld in her second Footlocker Finals in early December
as a member of the nation's high school elite.
Actually, it will most probably be just the sweet, unfettered opportunity
of taking a simple run. Alone. In control. Step after step in pursuit
of personal goals only she knows.
This is a round-about way of saying that Julia Pudlin did not recover
in time to toe the starting line of the races she dreamed about
for her senior cross country season. But it is a way of saying that
in the process of coming back from a nearly-fractured heel suffered
during the spring season, she discovered something more important.
She runs for herself.
Her junior year was special. She finished third in the Championship
race at the Great American. She qualified for Foot Lockers. She
finished 8th at Nationals. She was second in the 3000 at the Penn
Relays. She set course and meet records at virtually every appearance.
She was invited to the Millrose Games - the elite mile of the indoor
season - where she sustained a seemingly benign injury to her right
ankle.
She recovered. Or so she thought. And then the pain appeared, in
a new spot, about a week before the Loucks Games in New York in
mid-May. She had apparently overcompensated for her ankle injury,
and her left foot was now giving her pause for concern. But she
raced anyway. After all, she had committed to race, so race she
would. But a few laps from the finish the pain in her foot had become
so severe, she feared she would have to stop for the first time
in her life. She finished in third. But her left foot was obviously
seriously injured.
The diagnosis? A near total fracture of her heel. She sported a
cast for two months. She swam in a friend's endless pool every day
('it makes your hair smell bad"), trying to stay in shape.
Holding out hope. And she didn't take a step until September 1st.
She biked. She used the elliptical trainer. And in September, she
started running. A little. But two weeks in she had to back off.
By early October, she was feeling confident again, only to attempt
too much, too soon, again. Running four-five miles a day at a good
clip. It was then she realized that her 2001 XC season may be over.
"It was making me do stupid things." An MRI in early November
reassured Julia that the fracture was healed. So her comeback is
in progress. But at a pace with no set timetable. Obviously, Julia
is hoping for an indoor season. But she refuses to set specific
dates. "That kind of pressure would only make me train foolishly."
And she wants to be ready. She hopes to be totally healthy for outdoor,
and is entertaining thoughts of Junior Nationals in XC early in
the year. After all, XC is her favorite.
Watching this season has been, as one might expect, tough for Julia.
But she has been thrilled to watch as Jessica Cickay, Stephanie
Madia, Katie O'Connell, Angie Saterstad, and others have stepped
to the front. "They've taken PA running up a notch. And Madia
and Cickay are both contenders on a national level." Julia
also notes that after a 10th place finish at Northeast Footlockers,
a runner like Saterstad cannot be counted out. What's more, Julia
has enjoyed the sub-17 exploits of Trotter and Tubbs. "It was
painful to watch at the beginning of the season, but now it's really
exciting."
Julia will be attending Northeast Footlockers as a fan and a teammate.
In her stead, Brighton Schlumpf has excelled, winning the Inter-Ac
champs, and placing 4th at the Independent Schools championships.
"My dad and I made every Baldwin meet this year. I was team
captain, after all." Julia also made almost every practice
in support of her team, which came within four points of repeating
as league champions. "I cried a lot at meets, but it was good
to remain involved. That's why I am probably going to Northeast
Foot Lockers to watch three girls from my team race."
To add to her rehab, Julia has used the extra time to lift three
times a week. "I never had the time, but it's definitely given
me more strength."
But the thing Julia missed most while swimming and biking was the
daily action of running. "Just a simple run. I love racing.
But the simple act of running is everything. If I could give one
piece of advice, it would be to treasure each day. Never run for
competition, or winning, or glory. Cherish each day. Simply running."
DyeStat Pennsylvania
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