Love of running has put her on a positive track

Watertowns+Beth+Powderly+%281131%29+competes+in+the+Division+5+girls+race+at+the+MIAA+Divisional+Cross-Country+Championships+at+Wrentham+Development+Center+Nov.+12%2C+2016.+Powderly+finished+in+19th+place+in+20%3A52.64.+

Raider Times photo / Courtesy Debra Koufos

Watertown’s Beth Powderly (1131) competes in the Division 5 girls’ race at the MIAA Divisional Cross-Country Championships at Wrentham Development Center Nov. 12, 2016. Powderly finished in 19th place in 20:52.64.

Sara Gyulakian, Raider Times correspondent

Beth Powderly, 16, is a junior at Watertown High School, and running has been a love and passion of hers from a young age.

Beth played multiple sports when she was younger, but nothing ever stuck. What she did enjoy from all of the different sports though, was the running aspect of them.

“It was weird that I enjoyed running laps, running suicides, but I did!” she said.

In the fall of her freshman year of high school, Beth joined the cross-country team over volleyball, and from that point forward, running has shaped her remarkably.

“I’ve learned to trust the process. Push hard everyday and believe in yourself,” she said.

Beth has been a three-sport athlete since her freshman year, running cross-country in the fall, indoor track in the winter, and outdoor track in the spring. Along with a better mind-set, Beth has acquired many healthy habits to support her six training and academic days. Tuesdays, she usually has a meet, followed by an intense workout Thursday. Saturdays she usually runs the most.

“On Saturdays we usually try to run longer distances, running 7-10 miles with the team, so it never seems that long,” she said.

And Sundays she is off for recovery and stretching. She tries to eat healthier — especially before meets — and get the most sleep possible.

One aspect of the cross-country team that Beth adores is the fact that she has gotten so close with her teammates and coaches.

“Cross country is very close, we are like a family,” she said.

One of Beth’ proudest moments was when her relay team set the school record for the 4×800. It was right after she had finished running the mile, and she remembered not wanting to let her teammates down.

“After I ran the mile I just remember so badly wanting to break 2:30,” she said. “[My teammates] were always so supportive and pushed me to run my hardest, passing off the baton and seeing that time was amazing.”

Beth has learned many things since she began running. Some things she has learned are to trust the process and have confidence.

“Push hard everyday and believe in yourself,” she said. “Once I get to the start line on race day I always want to feel that I’ve done everything I could. That was something my coach told me freshman year and it has stuck with me ever since.”

Something she recognizes now as a mistake was being impatient.

“I learned that things take time and with hard work every day it will eventually come,” she said.

Not only have her teammates pushed her to be a better runner, but they have become some of her closest friends. Outside of practice, they spend much time together, from pasta dinners, ski trips, and runs into the North End. Her coaches have also become some of her biggest influencers.

“My coaches have helped me so much, they believe in me and push me to be my best,” she said. “I owe them so much.”

Beth unquestionably loves running and would like to continue after high school.

“Whether varsity or club, I enjoy running and want to keep doing it long after senior year,” she said.

Running has become a tremendous aspect of who she is and has shaped her beautifully.

 “I have become a lot more confident and motivated,” she said, “and it has helped me realize what really is important.”

–April 3, 2017–