students join winter warriors to prepare for track season

Story by Parisa Shirani

Thump, thump, thump. The sound of your heart thumping loud. Sweat trickling down your forehead. Sun beating down your back. One foot in front of another. All things that makes kids love running. But at Clay Middle school running has taken a new twist. Winter Warriors.

Winter Warriors is a club that exist to help kids prepare and stay fit for track season. However there's a spinoff from the ordinary laps around the gym. Winter Warriors does all their running and training outside. Yes outside. The same outside that is capable of the 20 degrees weather the Warriors run in.  But mother nature doesn't stand in their way.

The Warriors train every Tuesday and Thursday after school till 4:30. During their practices they usually run laps outside, around the school, and by the track. According to Coach Martin, Winter Warriors is a great way for kids to prepare for track because it helps them improve their core strength, endurance, and speed.

“It's a great opportunity for kids to get ready and in shape for track season,” Martin Said.

Besides from benefiting the runners physically, Winter Warriors has helped kids in a variety of ways. “Winter Warriors helps me blow off stress and  gives me time to clear my mind,” Jasmine Klopstad, seventh grade, said. Another seventh grade runner, Christina Mccollum, says Winter Warriors not only helps her improve her running for track season, but lets her meet new friends and gives her a chance to get involved with Clay.

At first the idea of Winter Warriors usually strikes the sense of freezing weather in many people's minds, but it happens that that's not the case at all.  “Many people think Winter Warriors is a way to get frostbite, but that's not even close to the truth. The joy the club brings you outweighs all the possibilities of frostbite, just make sure to wear layers,” Klopstad said.

Winter Warriors is said to be a phenomenal club and is encouraged by many to join, even if your not a runner.  “Winter Warriors is for all students, even if your not a runner, it's still a great way to stay fit,” says Klopstad.  “To join the winters all you need is a pair of gloves, a warm outfit, and a determined attitude,” McCollum said.

“As a runner I believe that you don't need to worry about the end, you just need to focus on the steps in front of you,” Klopstad said. “After all the finish line isn't the end, it's only the beginning.”