Track Q&A: Izzy Connell

Studying abroad for the year is full of its challenges, excitements and adventures. But when you're studying abroad as an athlete taking a full year off from your sport, it presents an even more unique dynamic to the experience as a whole and the transition to and from the country. Izzy Connell, a junior on the women's track team, shed some light on this unique experience:

Q: How has the transition been from studying abroad for a year, not being part of the team, to coming back this year and jumping back into things?

A: The transition was not as hard as I thought it would be thanks to our crazy,energetic and encouraging coach (Venus Jewett). She pushed me to a limit that I wouldn't have realized I could have achieved early on. She believes in all of us and keeps practices fun. The transition was also a lot easier than I expected because of the amazing ladies that I am lucky to call my teammates. Iam always excited to go to practice and put in work with my team. We all put a lot of effort into every workout and their love and support keeps pushing me to do the best I can.

Q: What has been difficult about the transition,and what has been rewarding?

A: The hardest part about the transition was just getting back into shape. Florence had the best food I had ever eaten, so I was having pizza, plates of pasta and scoops of gelato every day. While I was abroad, I didn't follow a lifting program or continue to train. I pretty much took a complete break from track. So coming back and being hit hard with weight sessions and practices almost every day of the week was a shock to my body to say the least. The most rewarding part about this transition is seeing that the work I put in on a daily basis really does pay off.

Q: What did you miss about being on the team while you were studying abroad in Florence last year?

A: The track team was my family freshman year. We all instantly bonded over the strenuous practices we went through together. We were each other's backbone when we needed support. We understood the difficulties that came with being a student-athlete and our experiences continued to unite us throughout the year. I really missed my team while I was abroad because they were all sisters to me but I really appreciated the fact that they supported my decision to leave for an entire year and that encouraged me to make the most of it.

Q: Do you feel at a disadvantage at all having taken a sort of gap year from being on the track team compared to your teammates?

A: In terms of training, I felt at a disadvantage in the beginning of the season. Walking around exploring different cities abroad did not keep me in shape in the slightest. After taking a full year off of track, it took a couple of weeks forme to get back to the level of fitness I was at my freshmen year. Practices were a lot harder than I remembered them being because our coach did not ease us into workouts. I could definitely feel the pizza and pasta weight sticking to me, which made practices a lot harder than they would have been if I hadn't spent a year in a country with such great food and desserts. Although it took some painful practices, I feel like I am back in a competitive level and am really looking forward for our meets to start.

Q: Would you recommend taking time off from your sport to study abroad to other athletes, and did you find doing this helped you at all in your sport?

A: I think everyone is different when it comes to studying abroad. I personally don't regret my decision to live in Florence for the year because it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I could not pass up. Being abroad expanded my horizons of different cultures and I ate the most incredible food so I am happy that I got the chance to study abroad.

Q: How did you motivate yourself to get back into the game when you rejoined the team after taking a gap year to study abroad?

A: Not being able to compete or train during the year abroad made me realize how much I missed track. Sophomore year was my mental break from track and because of the time I had off I was able to comeback more motivated then I have ever been for any other season. I think I have comeback stronger and more motivated to do my best. The year away made me ready to put in work and to have a positive attitude. I have a stronger drive to be the fastest I can be.

Q: What are you looking forward to about the upcoming season?

A: I am so excited for the season to start! This is the first year we are competing in indoor track so we get to run more races than any season before this one. Our team has been training hard since day one and everyone has kept a positive attitude even during the most challenging practices. I am looking forward to seeing how all of our hard work pays off. We have a really strong team and I have no doubt there will be multiple records broken this season.

Players Mentioned

Izzy Connell

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