For Gaels first-year runner Miles Brackenbury the goal is to "stay within himself."
As Brackenbury prepares for the first challenge of his young Gaels career at tomorrow's Western Invitational, the first meet of the season, it's difficult for him to contain his excitement.
"Suiting up for a varsity race for the first time is a big milestone," Brackenbury says. "I can't wait to run with these guys cause we've got so much to prove."
Brackenbury is a Kingston native, a common bond he shares with a few of his teammates which has helped to form the close knit group he defines the Gaels cross country team to be.
It's only a few weeks into the school year and while Brackenbury is still getting used to the new sights and sounds of Queen's, he admits he's enjoyed ever minute of it, especially meeting new people and attending classes.
"Queen's has just about everything you could imagine. I have learned so much about Queen's and our world through my courses already. I am excited for the rest of the Queen's experience because know it's only just begun."
The close-knit bond on the cross country team is one that can only be achieved from training long hours together and experiencing the ups and downs of running. Veteran runners on the team have embraced Brackenbury since he's arrived on campus and have taken him in as one of their own.
"It's a supportive team where everyone has your back," he adds.
"Staying within himself" is at the heart of Brackenbury's plan for this season. It originated as a piece of advice from his high school coach and he adopted it as his motto ahead of his rookie season.
"It is awesome to be on a team with so much talent," he says. "Looking up to those guys and sticking to the plan is what will make me faster and stronger.
The cross country season will culminate with the U SPORTS national championships at Fort Henry, a course that will provide the local Brackenbury with a hometown advantage against the nation's best.
"I am pumped about U SPORTS being in Kingston,"he says. "We've got plenty of Townies on the team who have grown up running at the Fort. Pretty sure I could run it with my eyes closed. Looking forward to the home crowd and the opportunity to perform on the national stage in our own backyard."
