“Sometimes I feel I’m working harder than my time shows.” – Sherry (Esposito) Stick

We can relate to the words by Sherry (Esposito) Stick and her decision is not to give up, but to adjust.

What Stick used to set the groundwork for what she can do now. The time now is to capitalize on the years of experience in which she has been successful.

“I’ve certainly slowed down over the years, but am grateful I can continue to train and race well into my 40s. I like the competitive aspect of the sport and the structure running gives me with my workouts. 

 

I’ve added a bit more cross training to my routine, which I think has helped reduce injuries.”

No matter what your fitness program is, you will have to adjust. According to the Cambridge dictionary a simple definition of change is, “A slight change made to something to make it fit, work better, or be more suitable, or the act of making such a change.”

A small adjustment at the right place can make a significant difference.

Stick comments,

“I had always been involved in sports starting at an early age and played softball, lacrosse, basketball, and field hockey. I was also on a summer swim team. I didn’t get involved with formal running until my sophomore year in high school when I joined the track team.

 At that point, I thought I would be a sprinter and was running predominantly the 200m and 400m. I gradually progressed to middle distance events and switched over from field hockey to cross-country my senior year in high school.  

I continued my running career at Salisbury University (1996-2000) where I ran track and cross-country.”  

After graduationg from Salisbury,  Stick connected with a local college to work out.

“The speed workouts with the cross country and track teams at Salisbury. helped keep me motivated and pushed me to work harder since I had someone to run with. I started entering various races in and around the Baltimore area ranging in distance from 1 mile to the half marathon. I also completed one full marathon. I enjoyed the ability to continue to compete after my college running days were over. With everyone’s busy schedules, it is difficult to find a time that works to run together, so I now train on my own.”  

In 2010, Salisbury University inducted Stick into their Hall of Fame for cross-country and track. The top achievements:

• Four-time cross-country letter winner.
• Three-time track & field letter winner
• Second team cross-country all-conference and Team Captain (1999)
• Track & Field accolades include:
• Six-time first team All-Conference (1998-2000)
• Ninth in 800 meters at NCAA Championships

“I certainly had to adjust my running schedule once I started working full time upon graduation. 

 

My days start early. I’m up by 4:00 a.m. for a strength workout at the gym and then do my running/swimming/cross training after I get off work in the afternoon. I’m usually asleep by 9:00 p.m.”

 Stick now reflects on her current age and how is affects her training.

“Now that I’m in my mid 40s, I feel I have trained smarter by listening to my body more. I typically go for quality miles vs. quantity. I have added more cross training to my routine and typically run 4 days a week.

It definitely takes a lot longer to recover than it used to! In my 20s and 30s, I would occasionally run 2 races on a weekend and not think twice about it. I’m just grateful I can continue to train and compete, even though I’m not as speedy as I used to be.”

What would she tell her younger self?

“I would tell my younger self to have fun with the sport and enjoy the process.

Appreciate every minute of training with your teammates and coaches. Don’t be so hard on yourself when you have a bad workout or race. 

Just because you can run 7 days/week and run fast each session, it doesn’t mean that you should.

Be thankful for your support system and recognize the hours upon hours of time they have spent cheering for you at every meet and race.”  

 Running gave Stick a great work ethic!

“I think running has given me a great work ethic that has transferred to my everyday life. It has taught me how to be tough and push through the hard times. I have also learned that to get the results you want, work hard for them. 

I have met some amazing lifelong friends throughout my running career and even met my husband (of over 20 years) on the Salisbury track/cross-country team. I usually tell myself to get a good start, don’t go out too fast, stay in the middle and try to finish strong.”

Stick’s fondest memory of running:

“I definitely think running is emotional. Probably my fondest memory was when I qualified for the National track meet in the 800m my senior year in college.

My coaches and teammates came over to me as soon as I crossed the finish line to congratulate me. I felt like I was on top of the world! Knowing all the hard work you have put in has finally paid off is such an amazing feeling. 

Runners are a tight-knit community and are always so encouraging toward each other. It doesn’t matter if you run a 15-minute mile or a 5-minute mile. We all have similar goals we are trying to achieve.” 

*Click here to read about Sherry’s induction to The Carrol County Sports Hall of Fame.

Editor’s Note: As always, we are delighted to learn more about how running shapes lives. A big thanks to Sherry for sharing her story and to George for telling it.

*For more stories like this, please visit Off and Running With George Banker.