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Freshman Cecilia Butler shivers in the dripping rain as she steps up to the starting line where she will run the 800 meter event at the Blue Springs High School track meet April 15.

Preparations for this two minute race began two days prior to the meet. Preparations track athletes go through include strenuous workouts, healthy eating and warm ups.

Cecilia’s preparations began Wednesday and Thursday, the most important sleep days when there is a Friday meet, according to head track coach, Amanda James.  According to James, a minimum of eight  hours of sleep is necessary for a strong performance in the meet. Cecilia tries to get to bed early on these two nights, but finds it difficult to get to bed before 11 p.m.  Her mother,Ms. Amy Butler, reminds her to get to bed at a reasonable time.

“I remind Cecilia on the nights before a meet that she should go to bed early,” Amy said.  “She tells me ‘Okay,’ she then starts to get ready for bed.  The procedure usually lasts until after I fall asleep.”

Thursday’s preparations included eating a carbohydrate filled diet and hydration, such as granola bars and water.  After school April 14, the team had one last practice before the meet.  This practice included a three mile run, six sprints and abdominal workouts.  Cecilia and her teammates finished the practice with an ice bath.  The athletes stood thigh deep in ice water for about 8 minutes.  Due to the athletes’ strenuous workouts, lactic acid builds up in their muscles.

“Ice baths help reduce the amount of lactic acid in the muscles, resulting in fresher, less sore muscles the next day,” James said.

After practice, Cecilia goes home and packs her track bag for the next day’s event.  Since it is Thursday, an important sleep night, Cecilia tries to get to bed around 10:30 p.m.

” I become very anxious the night before a meet,” Cecilia said. “It is hard to fall asleep.”

“Cecilia is like a V-8 engine in one of those cars waiting impatiently at a red light: she revs up before she takes off,” Amy said. “She gets louder and has more energy on the day of the race.”

James encourages the athletes to eat a good meal the day of a meet.  Staying hydrated is also vital.  After the van ride to the meet, athletes and coaches work together to set up the tent, an area where teammates can gather, store their equipment and get a healthy snack.

“The set up of the tent is always a team effort,” James said.

While waiting for her event, Cecilia watches other events and relaxes before her run.  An hour before she runs, her nerves begin to kick in and she needs to take frequent trips to the restroom.

“Right before an athlete runs, she becomes very nervous,” James said.  “The nerves help prepare her body with adrenaline to perform in her race. ”

Forty minutes before she is scheduled to run, Cecilia heads back to the tent where she puts on her spikes.  She takes one last bathroom break and goes to check in where she receives her number.  Her warm ups begin with a 10 minute run and sprints.  She finishes the warm up by stretching the muscles in her legs, quads, hamstrings, calves, back and arms.

“Warm ups are a crucial part of preparing an athlete’s body to run an event, ” James said.

Approaching the starting line, Cecilia keeps her body loose.  Wearing her good luck charm, a hot pink sports bra, she bites her nails and waits for the sound of the starting gun.

Cecilia’s two day preparations for the 800 meter event helped her place fourth in her heat at the Blue Springs High School track meet April 15.  Next week, Cecilia and the track team will begin to prepare for their next track meet.