By Katie Mitchell
Executive Sports Editor
Junior Dalia Frias sprints across the finish line as she sets the Costa 5,000-meter record for track and field.
Though Frias is currently fully committed to track and cross country, she only started running competitively during her freshman year at Costa. Before running, she played various sports, including competitive ice hockey and volleyball. During her freshman year, Frias decided to run cross country and track, discovering a new love for running, according to Frias.
“After cross country, almost everyone moves to track, so that’s what I did,” Frias said. “I thought I wouldn’t like it as much as cross country, but I was definitely wrong. I instantly fell in love with the sport, and I was able to meet even more new people.”
According to Frias, running and staying in shape is no walk in the park. She is doing her best to stay consistent with her weekly workouts. Frias runs six to seven miles everyday except for Saturdays, where she runs nine to 11 miles. Additionally, during cross country season, she works out a few days a week by doing 20-minute tempos, hill sprints and mile repeats.
During track season, she does sprints and 400 or 800-meter repeats at race pace. Repeats are a workout in which one runs 400 or 800 meters repeatedly at a consistent pace, with one minute breaks in between each one.
“I have learned to make sure to take those easy days for recovery so I am able to work harder during my workouts,” Frias said. “I have also added in some cross-fit workouts that have helped me become even stronger.”
According to Frias, the most challenging aspect of competitive running is being able to successfully maintain endurance. In her experience on the Costa track and cross country teams, she has come to understand that one must learn to be able to keep a steady pace for miles at a time. According to Frias, running can get especially tough in longer races, but it progressively becomes easier with more training and practice.
“Running has really helped me keep a balance between school and extracurricular activities,” Frias said. “Whenever I get overwhelmed with school, it’s always nice to take that break, see my friends and go on a run, not to mention that it also helps me stay in shape.”
On Dec. 5, Frias ran a 5k on the Costa track and broke the previous record with a time of 16:54.92. This was not the first time Frias has made Costa history. During her freshman year, she broke the freshman girl’s 3,200-meter record with a time of 10:49.45, allowing her to compete in the Footlocker Nationals competition in San Diego during December of 2019. She also competed in the State Championship Competition in Fresno for both track and cross country where she finished in third place.
“It feels really good to know how accomplished I have been so far,” Frias said. “I really do love this sport, and I can’t wait to keep working hard and improving!”
As of now, Frias is planning to continue running competitively throughout high school and college. She would additionally like to run after college as well, if that option arises.
“Running has helped me get through the tough parts of high school and has allowed me to meet some of my closest friends,” Frias said. “It is such a fun sport, and it is definitely something that I see myself continuing doing throughout the rest of my life.”
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