With a cold breeze blowing, runners are ready to jump into gear during the 2015-2016 winter track meets. This season, runners prepare to keep in shape and maintain Robinson’s reputation within the track community.

Aside from running at meets, runners also have to participate in grueling workout circuits. “Love the workouts,” said sophomore Saki Martin. “When you run a really hard set you feel really great afterwards, after your lungs stop burning.”

The conditioning is available for everyone, but most of the athletes do other sports in the fall when it is offered. The sport starts up in the winter time, and ends around spring. There are varying opinions on what characteristics a runner usually exhibits. “Most runners are supportive and hardworking,” said senior Evan Walker.

The winter track team meets every weekday with practices ending anywhere from 5:30 to 6 p.m. The boys and girls were mixed together at first, but were separated when the meets started on Dec. 5.

There are different types of events involved with the sport. There is distance, mid-distance, and sprinting. Usually distance runners run a couple miles at a time, similar to cross country. Mid-distance runners will do runs that can be up to two miles, which is about 15 to 20 minutes. Finally, sprinters run for a couple minutes, sprinting a certain distance. They usually will take five minutes off, then sprint again.

Junior Emily Smith prefers winter track because it is less competitive and is good conditioning for spring track. Although running is something that many people would say is a sport they would never do for fun, Smith disagrees.

“Track is awesome because it’s a way to force yourself to be healthy every day and make yourself get up and actually do something with your life instead of staying in and watching Netflix all day,” Smith said. “It just makes you feel better about yourself.”