A Running Conversation with Christiana Rutkowski

Sept. 17, 2015

A sophomore public relations major from Middletown, N.J., Christiana Rutkowski burst on the scene for Seton Hall cross country in 2014. As a newcomer, the Middletown South product paced the Pirates in all nine meets and helped propel the program to new heights by recording its first individual victory and helping The Hall to its first team win since transitioning to exclusively cross country.

In a feature new to SHUPirates.com for 2015-16, Christiana will provide Pirate fans inside the program and provide a first-hand perspective of what it takes to compete, and excel, at the top level of collegiate athletics.

September 19, 2015

Hi everyone, I'm Christiana and I'm a sophomore studying public relations and pursuing my passion for running on the women's cross country team here at Seton Hall. Welcome to my new blog!

I am very excited about the opportunity to share my experiences with you and look forward to taking you through our season with us and beyond.

My first entry came from our post-meet bus ride last week when we traveled to Delaware. Last season, I was fortunate enough to have a successful race but this year, being sidelined helped provide me with a whole different perspective. 

SWEET & SOUR 

One year--two completely different situations.

As I stood behind my teammates last Saturday at Delaware while they lined up on the starting line for their second meet of the season, many different feelings flooded my body. A feeling of pride was definitely present, for I could not be prouder to be a part of this team or this group of girls. Coach Moon, our assistant Coach Dwight, Amanda Catherall (our senior captain who is injured as well), and newcomer Olivia Gregorio (sidelined as well) stood by my side while we watched our team get ready to take off.

Being there brought on feelings of support and reminded me of all the shoulders there are to lean on--I am constantly reminded that I am never alone and I am blessed with a support group. And while I was filled with emotions like happiness and a sense of excitement to watch them run, the most prominent feeling of all eventually surfaced; and it was a bittersweet sensation.

Exactly one year ago, our meet at Delaware had become one of my favorite courses of all. This course was a true cross country course, one that had hills, rough terrain, and a great atmosphere. Last year I placed fourth overall in what was my first 6K. I owe it to my teammates and my coach for getting me to that spot, because who are we really without the wonderful training, support, and courage our team gives us?

Now, fast forward to one year later, things were very different.

A NEW ROLE, A NEW PERSPECTIVE

Being out the last seven months due to an injury is not particularly how I would have wanted things to be this time around, but the atmosphere on the course was still buzzing with excitement and the feelings of anticipation nonetheless.

Being in the race vs. watching your team run while you are sidelined captures both sides of the sport. In my time on the sidelines, I have found that it's very important though to try and look at each and every obstacle as a blessing in disguise. I couldn't run this race, so it was time for me to be the best teammate I could be from the side. It was time to give back to my teammates all that they had done for me.

Ever since I came in as a freshman, the upperclassmen have set wonderful examples of what it means to be a team player-- being a good teammate is not just what you can do in a race, but more importantly, it's what you can do for your team when you aren't running.

Briana Miller, one of our captains and a senior this year, pulled us all close prior to the start and read a wonderful quote followed by a prayer. Bri is the personification of perseverance. After undergoing ankle surgery, dealing with many injuries herself, and fighting through the usual aches and pains, Bri has never backed down. If I had to give a quote to Bri, it would be, "Fall seven times, stand up eight." For every new obstacle that has come Bri's way, she has never let it discourage her and still works the hardest she can on and off the race course while being a great example and wonderful captain.

This is where I draw my inspiration from. This is why I love my team.

GOING THE DISTANCE

The gun went off, and off the girls went. I jogged around the course to watch my teammates run the way every runner should--head held high, form looking strong, legs and arms swinging effortlessly in harmony, a look of determination seen on each of their faces.

Amanda Quaglia, this season being her last, led our team with a first-place finish for Seton Hall and an overall top-20 finish in the race. I could not have been more excited for her, because not only has she been an incredible example to myself and our entire team, but she herself has been where I am now on a number of occasions and only came back stronger.

As I saw each of my teammates coming into the final straightaway towards the finish, I could actually feel the fatigue in my legs, the burning in my throat, the final moments of exhaustion right before relief after crossing the finish line. It is one thing to experience racing for yourself, but being able to step back and watch your teammates really makes you feel special for being a part of such a wonderful team and program.

It's an amazing thing to be able to be a part of such an incredible sport, but I think what's even more amazing is to find that you had a family next to you all along.

TRUST THE JOURNEY

As a runner, you fight through feelings of defeat and discouragement almost daily. Between injuries, being sore, finding yourself in a rut, or just going through some tough times, running tests the capabilities of the human body, but even more so tests the capabilities of the human heart. I am learning this more and more every day as I work to get back alongside my teammates where I belong.

I could not be prouder each and every time I watch my teammates perform, putting their bodies through one of the most grueling sports there is, and to still come back hungry for more each and every time. I guess the principles running can apply to all areas of life and more immediately, my recovery.

Sometimes you just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other, and soon enough, you'll find yourself flying.