Salute to Seniors: Justin Tracy (Mt Blue HS)

What were your most memorable races?
Well, there’s my first race- Lalibertie, 2009, back when it was a full 5k. Dying in the heat on Cony’s tough course- on my birthday. Festival of Champions that year was pretty cool too, because I finished 9th in the frosh race, and got a medal. Or my first indoor meet at Bowdoin, seeing their incredible facility for the first time. Winning the slow heat in the mile at outdoor states sophomore year, and thinking, “well, at least I can say I won a race at states.” Coming in third in the mile at Kvacs- and even states- last year and wondering what just happened.

Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
Making it to New Englands in xc, junior year. I remember our assistant coach, Brian Kelly, saying at the beginning year, “It’s possible... but it’ll take some serious improvement, and then some.” States was at Twin Brooks that year, and it couldn’t have gone better. I was consistently moving up throughout the race, then at the finishing stretch, coming down the hill, it was me and two other guys. I didn’t know it, but we ended up being the cutoff, so if I hadn’t won that kick, I wouldn’t have gone. A bit later, Kelley and I were watching the last boys race, and counting down to see how many people beat my time. I made it in, and I just remember being really happy.

If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
Run more during the summer of sophomore year. I ran maybe, 20 miles a week and it really hurt that season, and probably domino-affected for a while. I had to catch up a lot more than I should have, or would have if I had run, say, 40-50 miles. Also, states, junior year at track. Wait until 250-300 to go before I kick. I can’t hold off Harlow Ladd for 500 meters.

What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
When everyone expects you to lead the team, because you have for two years, and then one day, you can’t. Because you’re sick, tired, sore, nervous, and burnt out. Then the next day, you have to try to shake it off, and run 10 miles with the previous days events replaying in your head every step.

What will you miss the most?
Probably indoor. Since Mt. Blue doesn’t have a real team, we got to do (more or less) whatever we wanted. Spending a season training with a whole different group of athletes, being led by a different coach- it was a fun, laid back experience. I’ll still be doing indoor next year, but I feel the atmosphere won’t be the same. Driving to Colby once a week for practice, having meets every Saturday morning, stopping at Wendy’s after good ones to get a triple stacker- I’m going to miss it.

What advice you would give to younger athletes?
“Be thankful for your limits, they're about as limitless as they get in this life.” I’ve seen athletes go from post-21 minutes, to sub 19 a week later, to 16:47 and fourth in the state the next season. Never be afraid to run more miles. Train hard, win easy.

What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
Kelley is not the kind of coach to just give you a workout, make sure you hit your times, and go home. She knows there is more to the sport than that, and will ensure that every incoming freshman will leave four years later a student of running. Messalonskee’s/MDI’s coach, Justin “MiniCoach” Laverriere, taught me during indoor this season that pushing when you hurt the most is what distances you from the pack, both physically in racing, and figuratively. If you sprint by someone in the middle of a race, they’re not going with you.

What are your college plans?
Going up to Umaine next year, and I have no idea what Mark will have me run. I’m guessing 3k-5k, but who knows. Studying the exciting major of Chemical Engineering.

Who would you like to say thank you to?
My parents, Kelley, MiniCoach, Josh Horne, and Mt. Blue’s resident Jedi, Sully. Couldn’t have done without all y’all.