Salute to Seniors: Alec Troxell (Deering HS)

Name: Alec Troxell

School: Deering High School

What was your most memorable race/meet?

The Thornton Academy relays my junior year was easily was of my most memorable races. I wasn't seeded very well and wasn't expecting very much but I came away with a huge win. It was the moment where I realized my love for running and the potential I had. Other races like XC regionals, any 4x8, and of course, the Southern Maine Classic are some of my favorite and most memorable races.

Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?

There were just so many people who helped push me throughout my four years of running. If I had to pick some of my favorite competitors it would be, Yahya Nure and Aiden Willey. They always pushed me and helped me become the runner I am today. They also happen to be some of my best friends.

What was your greatest accomplishment?

After so many races I would looked back and believe that it was my best race ever, and I always bounced around about which was my greatest. After my indoor season it was pretty clear, my mile at New Englands. I ran 4:22 and truly gave it my all. I'm usually tired after races but it's never too bad, but when I finished this race I could barely walk or breathe. I knew all my hard work and obstacles I had overcome during the season paid off and it was one of the best feelings in the world.   

If you could do it all over again what would you change about your xc/track&field career in high school?

I was always the kind of person to overthink races and training and I sometimes forgot how to just have fun. I would always try to follow my training right by the book and have all of these superstitions with racing and training. I believe this mentality of overthinking, lead to my injuries and overtraining. There was one point where I debated taking different meets off just to have a break because I had lost my love for running but after reflecting and taking a day off I always came right back. I feel like having fun is a huge part of this sport and you have to love it to be able to be successful. So if I could change one thing it would be to enjoy every run and always have fun.

What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?

One of the biggest obstacles I had to overcome was the overthinking and overtraining from the last question but the other big one was my groin injury from my junior year. After my best season of running yet (junior year indoor track) I was ready to have an even better one in outdoor and took it a little too fast. I started training a bit too early and was a little aggressive and ended up straining my groin from trying to do speed while out of shape. I tried to train through it for a couple of weeks but it got to the point where if I ran, I was not able to walk after. After a couple weeks off I tried to get back into it but I never truly healed and was in pain most of the season. After a lot of icing, chiropractor visits, and rolling I finally felt a lot better during the summer.

What will you miss the most?

Easily the other runners from around the state. Over my four years of running I have made so many new friends and it is amazing how each of my great competitors is also a friend. There are days where we will do tempos together or go on long runs and then the next week we're competing for a title. i'm going to miss those times when you lose to a friend and don't even care that you lost because you're happy for them. The group of runners in this state is amazing and I'm definitely going to miss them.

What advice you would give to younger athletes?

ALWAYS have fun doing what you love. This is the kind of sport where training is super important but also just having a love for what you do is crucial. Personally I loved everything about running, I couldn't wait to throw on my pegasus and short shorts and just run miles after miles. So for the younger athletes, if there are days where you are tired and don't want to run, don't be scared to take a day off. Don't force yourself to do anything, you must enjoy everything this sport has to offer. 

What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?

As a freshman I only participated in XC and track because I wasn't very good at anything else. I honestly wouldn't of run in high school if it wasn't for Coach Myatt reaching out to me in 8th grade and talking to me about the program at Deering. I was able to break every single goal I set for myself freshman year and I wouldn't of been able to do any of it without the help of both my coaches. They were always there when I was feeling down, injured, or even overly confident and helped me get back to my normal self and continue to move forward. After the XC and outdoor state meet this year I was so determined that I was done running and not participating in New Englands and my coaches always believed in me and helped encourage me to keep moving forward and never give up. I owe everything to both of them.

What are your college plans?

I plan to attend the University of Maine and study economics and business. Of course I am running as well.

Who would you like to say thank you to?

I want to say thank you to all the distance runners in the state for always pushing me and running with me. Big thanks too Aiden Willey, Anthony Chase, Liam Willey, TA boys, Sam Mills, Yahya Nure, the Brunswick boys, Mt. Ararat boys, Ben Potter, all of the Deering boys, Chris Walton, and Harrison Osborne for running with me outside of the meets and for being true homies. Also big thanks to both Myatt's, coach Burleson, Kayla Raymond, and my family for always believing in me.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

1. Never forget to do tempos 

2. Shaving your legs doesn't have to be weird 

3. Ice baths are amazing 

4. Short shorts > Half tights ... trust me

5. Smile when you run

More Coverage

• Alec's Athlete Profile
• Class Of 2019 Signings List

 High School