Uma Rajan '24 Recruiting Profile

I started running when I was 11 years old for my school's cross-country team. I was told I was fast, had decent endurance, and was one of the few girls that could run 2 miles straight without walking. It was a fairly low standard, and I fell right into that trap. Thinking I was good enough, I did not put in the extra time or effort to become better. Sure, I would always attend practices, but I didn't have the all-important drive to push myself to be the best I possibly could. 

Fast-forward to March 2020. I was finishing 8th grade when the world stopped. My friends around me were forced to suspend their practices. Many people I knew began to care less and less about their body, and took this newfound abundance in time to gorge on junk food. Usually, I would be among these people. Yet, when this opportunity came around, this time, I went all in. I discovered a new drive within myself that I never thought I had. I put my limited equipment to good use, working out 6 days a week for several hours a day. It was here when I researched new calisthenics skills, countless fitness routines, and fell in love with working out. I was by no means incredibly strong, but I was incredibly proud of my progress. 

But, why am I telling you this? During this time I was admittedly not running. Yet, this focus, this hunger, and this drive never left me. The motivation to be the best at whatever I put my mind to has stuck and will stick with me forever. So, even though my freshman season of cross-country and winter track were cancelled due to Covid-19, I saw it as an opportunity to continue my fitness journey. 

As my freshman year second semester came to a close, I chose to sign up to the cross-country team. As I religiously followed the summer workout plan, I noticed a desire to run that I had not felt before. When my first season of high school cross-country came around, I wasn't sure what to expect. But, the hard work, the extra hours, the summer practices, the effort all paid off. I ran times I thought a few weeks before were unattainable, supported my teammates, and most importantly, I loved doing it.  

Running at the collegiate level is a tall order, but I know I have the drive to take it on.