From training for half marathons to ergometer competitions, Hockaday athletes take the next step in preparing for their upcoming events. Three athletes find challenges in endurance events that take them far from campus. These athletes’ commitment to their sports is taken a step further while they train to compete in difficult competitions around Dallas.
Freshman goes the distance:
For freshman Marue Rhodus, her passion for running began in seventh grade cross country, influencing her decision to compete in 10k races.
She said running is more than a sport for her. Running has taught her how to balance everything from her schedule to her friendships due to her rigorous training schedule.
Although her training time limits her free time with friends, Rhodus sees it as a chance to step away from any challenges she’s facing and look at it with a new mindset.
“Whenever I am having a struggle, I can think about it through my runs,” Rhodus said. “It gives me time to think about what’s going on and how to handle the situation.”
Her coach, who was accepted into the Olympic trials, helps her become the best version of herself, showing how important a good support crew is.
“She’s my number one supporter and pushes me in every practice,” Rhodus said.
Rhodus has competed in several 10K races and considering running a half marathon. She has finished several times in the top five of the women runners and even finished in the Too Cold to Hold 10K race.
“I like to form a really well-balanced schedule,” Rhodus said. “Without balance none of this would be possible.”
Senior trains to run:
Senior rower Peyton Johnson has wanted to run a half-marathon since a senior on her rowing team her freshman year did the same. Now she gets her chance to run the BMW Dallas half-marathon on Dec. 14.
“Ever since [freshman year], during the winter [my friend and I] have been training together,” Johnson said. “Senior year is our running year, so it’s been a long time coming.”
Even though running isn’t her main sport, Johnson is excited to compete in this event.
“I’ve always found running very calming and a fun cross-training activity,” Johnson said. “It’s challenging, but also a lot of fun.”
Although training takes up a lot of her free time, Johnson still finds a way to keep her school and sports balanced.
“I think [running] makes me a more focused person,” Johnson said. “Because I’m doing these workouts, I have less time to do work or meet with teachers, so I take [my time] much more seriously because I have less time.”
Senior prepares to row in winter competition:
After her fourth year on the rowing team, it is no shock that senior Fendley Obert’s passion for the sport has grown immensely. Committed to the admissions process to row Division I at Columbia University, Obert trains twice a day, usually around 18 hours a week. Coming out of the fall rowing season, she plans to compete in the Southwest Ergometer Amateur Tournament (SWEAT) in February.
Obert said she has learned the importance of a good support system with Hockaday Head Rowing Coach Katelin Gildersleeve.
“I think she’s amazing and inspiring, and just one of the best people that I know,” Obert said.
Obert said she is competing in SWEAT to prove something to herself.
Although training for these competitions requires incredible physical hard work. The girls believe it is the mental side that is the hardest to overcome. “I think my biggest challenge while training for this competition is definitely the mental side of rowing,” Obert said. “It’s a lot about pushing yourself and finding your limits as well as learning that you always have more work to put in.”
