Billy Joel sang about it - "You have to learn to pace yourself."
Galileo started the study of it, atmospheric that is.
We are talking about pressure, and in this case the kind that winning a Foot Locker regional championship thrusts upon an up-and-coming talent.
“The whole season I have been dealing with that same type of pressure, I guess you can call it, and it hasn’t affected me too much,” said Northeast regional champ Alex Ostberg. “I think the expectations were high ever since I ran 14:16 (at New Balance Outdoor Nationals) last year so I went into the XC season with the same expectation that I have now.
“So for me nothing has really changed. I’m still bringing the same attitude to the race on Saturday, and I’m hoping to do the same thing that I've done all season.”
Reaching the finish first is what the Darien, Conn., standout has done in 2014, checking in at No. 3 currently on the Saucony Flo 50. His resounding victory in the 5,000 meters on the track in mid-June put the Stanford signee on everybody’s radar, but it has not changed his work ethic and drive to improve.
“I can say I am in better shape now than I was last year in terms of cross,” Ostberg noted. “Arguably, I think I’m almost in better shape than last year when I ran 14:16 so I am pretty confident right now.”
Bigfork, Mt.’s Makena Morley knows a little something about performing on the big XC stage in San Diego and dealing with pressure. In defending her West Regional title last Saturday, Morley added her name to the prestigious list of four-time Foot Locker National Finalists.
“Definitely last year, I felt a little more pressure than this year,” said Morley, who also is a four-time Montana state XC champion. “My sophomore year was probably the worst pressure, coming off a good freshman year. This year I am trying to be relaxed, enjoy it and be in the moment every time I run. I have pressure on myself, but I don’t feel very much external pressure.”
Morley has been able to enjoy the 2014 season a little more because of the emergence of her freshman sister, Bryn, who took the first step to becoming a four-time FL finalist with a sixth place at Mt. SAC.
“It’s so nice having her here,” Makena said. “I’ve always talked about and she has been here to watch me, but she has never got to experience it. Now she is here to experience everything I’ve been like, ‘Oh, my goodness, Bryn.’
“It’s awesome because I have a training partner here. It’s more comfortable because you know somebody for sure.”
Another runner who knows the benefits and pressure of Foot Locker successes is Grant Fisher, a two-time Midwest titlist and defending national champion. It’s also hard to avoid mounting pressure and time in the spotlight when you add several high-profile mile titles and a trip to the IAAF World Junior Championships to your running resume in the past 12 months.
“A little bit but still going into the national meet last year, I was still not super talked about or somebody that everyone was going to watch during the race,” the Grand Blanc, Mich., senior said of the expectations and pressure going into a Foot Locker final. “That made everything a bit easier than it is this year, but this year it’s definitely different than last year.
“It’s always fun coming out here and being in the warm weather. It kind of relaxes the nerves a bit.”