With abundant amounts of Christmas cookies and pumpkin pies and cold weather making it difficult to workout outdoors, staying in shape in the winter can be tough. 

However, students who are not playing another winter sport, may benefit from the winter track club here at Milford High School.

It is well known that being committed to workout with a team or group of friends is one of the best ways to stay motivated. Therefore, winter track is a great way to get fit.

Winter track is also great for cross country or spring track runners to prepare for the spring.

Whether you’re interested in long distance running, sprints, or just looking to stay in shape for another sport and have fun doing it, winter track is a social way to get work in with friends.

The group meets after school from 2:30 – 4:30 in the upstairs track to warm up. From there, members would either stay up there to train or head to the weight room for strength and conditioning. Track Coach John Fundukian works with sprinters, jumpers, and throwers, and Cross Country Coach Brian Salyers works with distance runners; Some athletes also work with athletic trainer Chris Follick.

Many members participate in winter track because they don’t want to start off the spring season sore and have to rework themselves up from last year. Junior Noah Poser, a sprinter for the track team, does winter track to get fit for the season.

“Winter track made me more prepared to run and has kept me in shape to run in the spring,” said Poser.

You don’t have to be in spring track to do winter track. Athletes like Emily Hanner, a senior on the spring tennis team, joined the club for social reasons as well as exercise. 

“The team has became very close friends,” said Hanner. “We have made everlasting friendships. The team still keeps in touch with members who have graduated.”

Salyers believes that this program provides training that will help athletes from all sports.

Whether you’re interested in working with the distance crew or sprinters, everyone is accepted and welcome.

For those more interested in running and competing in the spring, there are some indoor track meets where athletes compete in an indoor track at a local college. Competing in these meets can prepare students for the spring season to get the feel of running against others.  Dates are determined by the universities that host them.

The season has already started, but it is never too late to join. It is open to all grade levels and the only thing you need is workout gear and the will to work hard. Joining the winter track team can keep you fit throughout the winter season while building relationships with new friends.