Kirsten Landry ‘17 Recruiting Profile

Personal Statement

Many of my running stats can be viewed at the following MileSplit Web Site Link:

http://la.milesplit.com/athletes/2735729-kirsten-landry

My Interests:  Business, Marketing, Army, Kinesiology, Physical Therapy, Nutrition and Health, Exercise, Running, Wellness, Injury Prevention, Biology, Science, Accomplishing Goals, Solving Problems

     I have been competitively running track and cross country for 6 years. I had played volleyball and danced, but once I began running, I fell in love with it. I began running in 6th grade but would always come out in the middle of the pack. Then in 7th grade I began to train more, especially in the summer and began to place higher in races. I continued increasing my training because I realized that this was the sport for me, and I wanted to start winning, since I am very competitive. I began to focus a lot on improving my times and position. Finally 8th grade year my hard work really paid off because I won every race and even placed 2nd in the LHSAA State Championship. Over the years I have also learned how to accept losing and realized that I cannot "always" be in the top of the pack, because once I entered high school, the races were much faster and more competitive with girls from many regions. This has taught me to be a good sport, but also to not give up and train harder if I would like a top seat in these races. My love for running has definitely led me to become more devoted, and I have learned that to get better and stronger, requires staying focused year-round. I began to compete throughout each season with cross country, indoor and outdoor track. Also during the summer, I continue to train. Every summer since 6th grade I have been involved in a running club, because even in the off time, I am continually working on improving myself through running technique and time. I take necessary time off when needed by listening to my body, but I like to train to get stronger. This pattern of listening to my body, but not taking too long off, and continually getting stronger has helped me stay injury free my entire running career. However, I did receive my first injury on Jan. 31, 2016 while running for an extended period of time during training on an indoor track that had sharp embankment turns. This caused an IT Band injury and 6 weeks of Physical Therapy. Though I had to miss out on competing in the Indoor State Championship this season, it was a blessing in disguise, because it gave me lots of valuable insights into true Physical Therapy for my future chosen profession. The good news however is that after two months of recovery, I came back stronger and won the State Outdoor Championship 3200m race with a PR of (11:53) and was State Runner-Up in the 1600m on the same day, also with a PR of (5:32).
     My love and passion for running has actually led to me building the running program at my school. When I entered high school 8th grade year, I was one of three on the team and I was the first and only person to compete in the cross country state championships in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Freshmen year I was the only girl with two other boys, who also competed in the state meet that year. I won the championships and have inspired others to run as well. This has taught me to not be scared to be different and do something no one else is doing if it is a passion that I have. I recognize the importance of team building because I associate with people on my running team who are younger and older than myself and who I might have not even became friends with just through school. Being part of a team and training with running clubs during the summer, has taught me how to make friends and train with many different kinds of people.
     Even though running is a huge part of my life, I realize the importance of academics because these are the major factors in determining my future career. I have had a 4.0 GPA and have been on the Dean's List since 8th grade year, or since I have entered high school. I feel that running has played a role in this because it has taught me time management and it is also my way of relaxing and which helps my studying. I look forward to running everyday and it does not feel like something I am forced to do, but more of something I am blessed to be able to do. This is why running also draws me closer to God. My favorite quote to live by is Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Since I was the only girl on the running team for a few years of my career, I have learned how to act as a leader, which helped my to seek leadership positions in my school. This year as a junior, I am the Community Service Prefect and serve as one of the student leaders of my school. With running, and with life, I set goals and work hard to achieve them, and I do not stop or give up until they are completed.
     Running has led me to an interest into pursuing a future career as a physical therapist because I realize the importance of staying injury free especially in season, and I really enjoy studying how the muscles, bones, and joints work. Running has also led to my interest in nutrition because once I began to replace the processed foods and sodas in my diet with whole foods and water, I noticed a huge difference in my energy level and level of fitness. I feel like overall, running has helped me to become a better person, and I definitely want to run in college because I cannot imagine life without it. I also feel like competing and being on a team helps you to get to know other people, make life-long friends and learn how to work with others, which could help in a future job. My dream is to sign with a college that is as passionate about running as I am, but also where I can pursue my passion of physical therapy and become a doctor one day.

Kirsten Landry