Advertisement

Ê Sadly, I am about to break this code of youthfulness. I am sorry to say it, but when I was young...

My high school track and field team competed in cold weather.

Track meets were cancelled due to lightning and tornados of course, but never cold. Practice was the same. The track team watched enviously as non-athletes left school at 3pm, headed home to their playstations (the first one), while we waited for our coach to appear in the hallway. Every time the blue metal door of the boys' locker room swung open, heads turned in anticipation. That door remains etched in my mind forever associated with the pain of repeat 300-meter sprints.

Our daily hope during the month of February was that Coach Norton would recognize the white flakes blowing around outside and say, "Alright, we're staying in." If the temperature was below freezing we were supposed to practice indoors, but oddly enough, even the coldest days never dropped below 32 degrees. According to Coach Norton, it was always a comfortable 35.

Later in March, the first track meets of the season ran the risk of slower times and empty bleachers, but they still ran.

Ê I learned three things from competing in the snow and sleet of northern Indiana. First, my high school track coach stood in a narrow lane between genius and insanity. He never appeared to notice the weather, putting into practice one of his favorite lines, "control what you can control." The man showed complete disregard for his own comfort and we respected him for it. Crazy coaches quickly become legends.

ÊÊ Second, it is not dangerous to sprint, jump or vault in cold weather. Torn muscles occur from dehydration, poor diet, improper training and lack of a decent warm-up. Competitive cross-country skiers seem to cope, crossing the finish line covered in sweat.

Third, misery loves company. It is miserable to run in freezing temperatures, trying to sprint on snow-covered tracks with lungs burning and noses running. Though it may produce huge amounts of profanity and complaining, a team is drawn closer as members suffer side-by-side. Like all mutual suffering, it creates camaraderie.

Before one race, I remember standing behind my blocks at the starting line of the high hurdles, waiting with seven other contenders for the call to take our marks.

"How can they expect us to run when it's this cold?" lane six asked.

"We shouldn't be out here, I can see my breath," lane three agreed.

Leaning on the fence beside the track, my coach was smiling and rubbing his hands together. "Tredway!" he yelled. "It's a beautiful day for a track meet!"

"Your coach is nuts, man," lane two said.

My teammate in lane five was jumping up and down when he shouted, "Our whole team is nuts, baby!"

Over the years of running track in college and coaching a couple seasons at a high school in Colorado, I have realized how valuable suffering can be. Discomfort is not something that should be avoided, but flirted with and accepted. Northern Michigan coaches, athletic directors and parents have an opportunity to challenge their student-athletes, to teach perseverance despite unfavorable circumstances. We have an opportunity to produce all-weather athletes here unlike, oh, say, Florida.

In simple terms, make them compete in the cold.Ê Although I shouldn't use the phrase, "It will be good for them," I will. It will be good for them.

Anyone who reads Calvin and Hobbes knows working in the cold builds character. So, if an early game, match or meet must be cancelled in future seasons, may it not be to avoid discomfort. Fans can bring blankets and drink hot chocolate. Let's not miss an opportunity for our student-athletes to experience a vital part of life - knowing all the reasons to go home, but staying to get the job done anyway.

ÊÊ Chris Tredway is a staff writer at Up North Publications. He can be reached for comment at ctredway@michigannewspapers.com