Youth Spotlight - Michael Studer

Our final Youth Spotlight feature of the summer is on Michael Studer of the Greater Lowell Road Runners. His very successful 2021 season was highlighted by a first place finish in the Age 11-12 division 3000 meters at the USATF National Junior Olympics, with a time of 10:00.80. He also placed 7th in the 1500 meters at that meet and won a pair of events earlier in the summer at the USATF New England Invitational and CLCF Summer Showdown. His love of running is clear, and he provided some great answers to our questions, as did his Greater Lowell youth division coach Joe Ferris.

A chat with Coach Ferris 

USATF-NE - What can other youth athletes know/ learn about Michael ?
Coach Ferris - Michael attends all practices and also works out daily. He establishes realistic goals and works with the coaches to achieve his goals. He was named a team captain and is a great teammate,  extremely competitive, and very coachable.

USATF-NE - When did Michael start with the club?
CF - Michael joined us for Indoor Track in December of 2019.

USATF-NE - When did the club start, what age groups are in the club? 
CF - The youth team at GLRR was not a consistent part of GLRR until 2007. I joined the team as coach in 2009 and took on the dual role of coach and Youth Director a couple of years later.  In track, we welcome ages 5-18, while in XC the ages range from 7-18.

USATF-NE - How does the whole club support the youth program?
CF - Financial support from the club is primarily from the proceeds of the Baystate Marathon. There is also a youth fund that accepts donations.

A conversation with Michael Studer

USATF-NE - How did you get started with running?
Michael Studer -  I got started with running because my dad told me about this list of run streaks where you run at least 1 mile everyday for as long as you can. That winter, I had found out about the Greater Lowell Road Runners Youth group, and from that winter on, I have stayed with them!

USATF-NE - How were you able to practice with your teammates over the last 18 months?
MS - So, I was not able to practice with my teammates for the 2020 spring season, but in the fall we were able to practice outside safety for cross country. In the winter, we were once again not able to practice inside because facilities were closed and it was just not safe to practice inside. But, finally, when the 2021 spring season arrived, we were able to once again practice safely and lift some restrictions!

USATF-NE - What are your favorite parts about running?
MS - Some of my favorite parts about running are hanging out with my teammates, meeting new friends, and competing. I just enjoy all these things because sometimes if I was having a bad day, upset, or worried about something, track would clear my mind completely and I would be calm again.

USATF-NE - What’s your favorite post-run fuel/food?
MS - My favorite post race run fuel is a bobo oat bar and a glass of chocolate milk. Normally my run is early in the morning, so I will eat my food after. Sometimes, I will also have oatmeal.

USATF-NE - At Nationals, what was your plan when running both the 1500 and 3000 races?  
MS - At Nationals, my plan going into the 1500 and the 3000 meter races was to stay calm, stay relaxed, run my race, and everything will fall into place. Don’t worry about anything or anyone else and just run how I run.

USATF-NE - What other sports or activities do you participate in?
MS - I do not participate in any other sports besides track. I had tried out many different sports when I was younger, such as flag football, soccer, tee ball, hockey, but none of them really stuck. But the first day I started running, I knew the sport was for me.

USATF-NE -What are your running plans for the next cross country and track seasons?
MS - For the upcoming cross country and track seasons, I plan to start training more on the trails to get that cross country feel. I want to go up to Mine Falls where we will have the New England JO meet and train there. I want to go to Franklin Park and train there for the Mayor's Cup, and a few more places that I would love to train and get to know better. For the upcoming indoor track season, I want to start training once again to get back on the track and run the 1500 and the 3000. I want to switch from cross country to the track and get used to running on that flat ground again!

USATF-NE - Who would you like to thank?
MS - I would like to thank my dad, who has encouraged me throughout my running career. Those early mornings when I never wanted to wake up to run, he reminded me why I do this, because this is what is going to get me better. I would also like to thank my coach Joe, who has coached me hard throughout all my seasons of running track. When we had track, it didn’t matter to Joe how fast I was going, it did not matter if the day was good or bad, he just always reminded me to enjoy it! 
Speaking of coaches, I would also like to thank my coach Kimmy Harding, who has made and shaped me into the best 3000 runner I can be. Just a month before Junior Olympics, Kimmy started coaching me on the 3000 to prepare me for Junior Olympics. Now at the time, I had never run a 3000 race before, but by the time Junior Olympics came around, she got all the credit for being the best 3000 coach ever! Just 1 more I would like to mention here is my sister, who has helped and encouraged me all the way through my running career. On days when I had a bad race, bad day, or just maybe didn’t feel good about myself, she picked me back up and cheered me up! Many others that I would like to thank are my mom, my teammates, all my coaches, and all my family and friends who got me to where I am today. I am so grateful to have you all!