Sophomore Pressley Stough has been running Varsity long distance track and field for 2 years at Carlsbad. Unfortunately, this year she fell injured to Runner’s Knee, a common injury for track athletes, causing her to work through this slight setback.
Stough noted how she felt FOMO (fear of missing out) while she saw everyone on the team hit big milestones. Her mental state was starting to drain, but she took this as a lesson to change her priorities more focused on proper recovery.
“My season overall has felt dull because I was hoping to be included in our morning practices and be there more for my team,” Stough said. “But I’m definitely proud of myself for trying to push throughout all the pain, so I’m happy about that.”
Stough has been going to physical therapy more often, stretches daily and started CrossFit. Over the summer, she hopes that her knee will recover and her knee won’t be as prone to sensitivity.
“Coach Robin has been very understanding, she really wants me to get healthy. She knows that it’s important to race but at the same time doesn’t want me to mess up my knee,” Stough said. “At the beginning of season, she was more lenient but since it’s the end of season she’s been putting me in more events.”
Sophomore Maitu Dang has run track and field for three years now, running the 1600m and 3200m. Her and Stough have a strong connection together, thanks to track, and try to support each other if they’re struggling.
“Pressley brings a lot of leadership, confidence and helps the team move forward with her really big positive energy,” Dang said.
The girl’s long distance team created a tradition called Secret Sister, playing off of the idea of Secret Santa. They’ll draw names randomly, and when there is an away meet, they bring their teammate’s favorite drinks and snacks for greater support.
“When I run with Pressley she’s always super supportive and it makes me inspired or even motivated to run even on off days,” Dang said. “We can bounce ideas off each other and help each other through our journey.”
During the North County Coastal League track meet amongst high schools in the southern coastal region, Stough PR’d (personal record) her mile time by eight seconds, earning her a 5:34. She is surprised her perseverance has paid off and is to continue running at the California Interscholastic Federation San Diego Section.
“This year I’ve had the privilege of having teammates that help push me because last year it wasn’t like that very much,” Stough said. “But this year I felt like I pushed myself more because of my teammates.”
