Running is My Stress Relief and My Passion

Running can be many things to many people, and to Billy Joinville it is his both his stress relief and his passion. Billy hails from James H. Bennett High School of Salisbury, Maryland and takes us back to his middle school years as he reflects on how he found his passion for running.

“In middle school, I did not have any confidence to run or do any extra-curricular activities but running sounded like something I would enjoy doing. Once I started high school, I attended the interest meeting for Indoor Track. From there, I was able to run for the long-distance team at my high school. Realizing how much potential I had, I extended to do runs outside of track practice. By going on these long runs, I found a true passion for running.

And that passion has carried him to present day where he found a second purpose to his running. Billy comments after he completed his first competitive ten-mile race in March:

When I am stressed or need to clear my mind, going on a run helps me tremendously. I consider myself to be a competitive runner for a few reasons. First, I enjoy running and it is something that I love doing on any occasion – whether I am stressed, doing it as part of a school sport, or racing competitively. Additionally, I think of running as a learning experience. After every race I complete, I can reflect and try something new the next time I run – and from there I start my building blocks to become a better runner. Before any race, I set a plan on how I will start, continue, and finish the race and the same goes for a regular training workout. This allows me to focus on areas of improvement and achieve personal records.”

Read below for more of the interview with James H. Bennett High School’s Billy Joinville:

When did you get involved in the sport of running?

I began running for the James M. Bennett Indoor Track and Field team back during my freshman year of high school. I have engaged with the sport ever since, by also joining the Cross-Country and Outdoor Track and Field teams.

What was your attraction?  

I remember when I first joined Indoor Track. I was nervous because there were a lot of new people, and new experiences. I was able to meet a lot of new friends, and I cheered everyone on as a team. Being able to join a team that incorporates bonding and team spirit into the sport really drew my attention. When it comes to running, I learned that there is always room for improvement in the world of running. Whether I set a personal record or not, it is always an effective way for me to set new goals and improve further.

What goals did you set for yourself?

I set a few goals for myself. Beginning in 9^th grade, I set a goal to build my endurance because I wanted to be a long-distance runner. Even today, I am still working on my endurance. Additionally, I set a goal to break a 5-minute mile time by my senior year–which I was able to accomplish this past November by running a 4:50 mile time.

Another personal goal I set for myself was to make a lot of friends and grow myself by doing new things (Like sprinting and long-distance running).

How do you balance family, school, and running?

I always set family and academics first. After I finish with my schoolwork, I usually clear my mind by running and that is how I train generally. On every run, I try new things and at the same time, I try to set a pace on every run to work on my endurance and pacing. In a typical week, I run for my track team which is my training for that day (after school), and then on the weekends.

I tend to do a hard workout on that Saturday, and then I do a recovery run on Sunday–preparing for another week of training at track practice. Over the summer, I tend to do hard workouts on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays, and then on the other two days, I do recovery runs or take a rest day. So, recovery runs, and rest days occur more during the summer since I do not have school to worry about then.

What is the running distance which you perform at your best?

Between 2 miles and 3 miles (5K). That is where I can see what can be improved and what can be changed. When completing a longer run (5 miles and up), usually mile 2 and 3, I can set the pace and keep that steady pace throughout the run or race.

What are the benefits which you get from being in the sport?

I can use self-discipline to push myself even when I know it hurts–but knowing that the outcome will be much better than in that moment. Additionally, being able to build strong relationships with others has been a huge benefit.

Prior to joining a sport in high school, I have not had a big friend group, so it was hard for me to engage and communicate with others. Once I joined the track and field team, it was particularly important for me to make new friends and communicate with others as a team to win and place for our school.

When I am bored, or having a stressful day, running instantly comes into my mind as an activity I can do to help relieve that stress or boredom. That is good because it works on my mental health, especially being able to do something that I fall in love with, running.

How important is mental preparation when training or taking part in a running event?  

It is especially important. The way I think before a race/event can contribute to the outcome. A fitting example stems from the Indoor Track and Field regionals meet during my sophomore year of high school. Prior to this meet, I have not run sub 11 minutes for the 2 miles, and because of that–I set a new goal that I would break 11 minutes at the regionals meet.

I kept in my mind that pain is temporary and that I can set a new personal record. I also prepared myself mentally, by focusing only on myself and not other’s times–while knowing that I have competition. I was able to beat my goal by 20 seconds. If I did not think the way I did for the regionals meet, I would have run slower knowing that I would not be able to set a new personal record.

Mental preparation is especially important because it can help reduce anxiety and nervousness before a race and can build confidence knowing that I am able to accomplish whatever goals that I set.

Do you consider yourself to be a competitive runner?

I consider myself to be a competitive runner for a few reasons. First, I enjoy running and it is something that I love doing on any occasion–whether I am stressed, doing it as part of a school sport, or racing competitively.

Additionally, I think and treat running as a learning experience. After every race I complete, I can reflect and try something new the next time I run–and from there I start my building blocks to become a better runner.

Before any race, I set a plan on how I will start, continue, and finish the race, and the same goes for a regular training workout. This allows me to focus on areas of improvement and achieve personal records.

What is it that makes you good and what do you do?

My talents come naturally because I have only been running for 4 years now, and I have set a lot of personal records for myself and have progressed tremendously since my first time running. I tend to eat healthier foods and generally eat any home-cooked meals because those are always the best.

Also, I make sure that I train consistently and that I always set goals on every run that I go on. That helps me both mentally and physically because it allows me to focus on my priorities during the run–while allowing me to get better as I run more often.

What goals do you set and what happens if you do not achieve the goals?

This varies depending on the type of race or run that I am doing. If I am trying to set a new personal record, I try to set a goal for a few seconds better than my prior time because that is usually more realistic than setting a goal for a whole minute.

However, if I do not achieve that goal, I reflect on what I did in a particular race and then try to improve that on a training run (In preparation for my next race).

Since starting in the sport of running, what changes have you noticed?

I have noticed that no one can ever be perfect at running–no matter how fast that person is. Additionally, I have learned that what you eat can have an enormous impact on how you perform (and how you do at practice or training).

For example, I remember when I first started running; I spent the first few months eating fast food consistently. Not only did this impact my performance negatively, but I always had cramps while running and felt tired before I finished running. Once I started changing my eating habits, I felt healthier, and that I was ready to run farther than ever before.

Another change I have noticed is that self-discipline is important. It is critical to push myself, especially when a workout is hard or when I start getting tired during a race–and that is what makes me a better athlete.

Do you feel you will remain in the sport after school?

Yes, I have found a lot of passion for running since I first joined, and it is something that is here to stay. It is very versatile because you can run on any occasion for any reason, whether it is clearing your mind, train for a race, or relax with another friend who is going on a nice run outside.

I also plan to participate in the marathon at least once in my lifetime because it would be a broad experience for me.

How has being on the track team been a benefit?

It has allowed me to make connections with other people, make new friends, and realize the importance of team bonding and teamwork.

Additionally, having coaches that have run in the past and that are certified to coach at my high school gives me confidence that they can push me further because they are able to see my potential.

What event stands out as your best performance?

The 3200-meter race is where I have had my best performance. It was not easy, though. My freshman year, I ran a 12:06 in the 3200-meter race, and currently during my senior year, I am running a 10:38 in the 3200-meter race.

This shows that it is possible to set new personal records at every meet or race that I complete if I believe in myself mentally.

Is winning  or giving your best effort a goal?

I believe that giving my best effort is the goal. Even if you set a personal record (or not) or if you win (or lose), if you pushed and tried your 100% best, that is a goal. And I always remember that every run that I complete is a learning experience–no matter if I were to set a new national record or not.

Add any additional comments you want the reader to know about Billy.

As a runner, I have learned new skills both in running and personally. I have been able to improve my communication with others and make new friends. Additionally, I have learned a lot of self-discipline in this sport, and it has taught me that everything in life is possible if you set a goal and work hard to achieve it.

*To Read More about the benefits of Running, see the articles and podcasts below:

• Learn about running and stress relief, read on!
• Learn why Running is a Gift!
• Listen to AWN’s Sarah Robichaud tell you why Running is Important to her!