# @owensmith.mt on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C9EEV0rofdz
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/21308818-owensmithmt-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/legacy-do/1c099725be5aa4acf2525a748bc71d917264795ffefd212f75ff15c7e82febf8.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-07-06T01:55:24.000+00:00

## Caption

I ❤️ Track & Field
———————————————————————
It’s unpredictable which means that every competition counts. I learned that you always have a chance if you get to the start line. Lots of high and lows this year, sometimes in the same day.
———————————————————————
I rolled my ankle to start the indoor season, then was able to have some stellar workouts coming off of my cross country fitness and snag a small mile PR while 6 of my teammates ran Sub-4:00 (converted) on our home track. Then, I had some subpar races at the Husky Classic and Indoor Conference meets to close out the season.
———————————————————————
To open up the outdoor season, I was able to snag a regional mark in the steeple at Stanford and watch my teammates set national leading times. I was prepared for big PRs at Bryan Clay and had one of the worst racing weekend of my life. I got bad allergies and DNF’d the Soratos, followed by a solid 1500m in Missoula and the first team Outdoor conference title since 2005! I really struggled mentally before Regionals knowing my training had been hindered by shin and returning ankle issues. Then, in Arkansas, I somehow calmed myself down on the steeplechase start line and snagged the last spot to Nationals with two of my other teammates! Later that day, I watch two of my best friends suffer in the humidity and finish what was unexpectedly their last track races ever. At Nationals, I had an incredible experience seeing Hayward field from the racer perspective, but faltered early and fell off the pace early. 
———————————————————————
As I said, lots of fluctuation in mood, confidence, and happiness. That’s why this sport is so great. It may suck (a lot) sometimes, but it doesn’t matter what happens as long as you stay dedicated. It’s a sport of moments and those moments feel self-defining, but really the important pieces of identity it encourages are perseverance, commitment, courage, and trust. I know that I perform better when I have teammates racing with me because I feel a greater responsibility to represent our budding program here at Montana State. Outcomes are shiny and exciting, but the process is where the character is built.

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 254
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 14

## Credits

These are the roles credited on Gondola. Credits may be incomplete.
A brand, account owner, or featured person is not necessarily the creator.

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Montana State TF/XC | @MSUBobcatsTFXC | https://gondola.cc/MSUBobcatsTFXC | NCAA Track & Field Team |
| Jack Power | @jackpowerphotography | https://gondola.cc/jackpowerphotography | Photographer |
| Jack Power | @jackpowerphotography | https://gondola.cc/jackpowerphotography | Photo Editor |

---
Copyright (c) Gondola