The West Virginia mountains will always be home to Maria Dalzot, but the Bernese Alps are calling her name.
Dalzot, a Morgantown native and student in the WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences, will compete in the World Mountain Running Tournament Sept. 15 in Ovronnaz, Switzerland.
Throughout the last 20 years, the race has featured some of the worlds best long-distance and hill runners. Over 30 countries will be represented this year with each team being divided into four groupsmen, women, junior men and junior women.
As only the second West Virginian to participate in the race, Dalzot will be one of three members on the junior womens team. The top two times will count toward the U.S. teams total score.
Andrew Benford, formerly of Ravenswood and currently running for the University of Richmond, had the strongest junior boy performance to date with his 12th place finish in last years race.
A natural-born runner, Dalzot has been running competitively since she was in seventh grade. Her passion for the sport carried over into high school where she was a member of three state championship cross country teams at Morgantown High. Now a member of the WVU Track and Cross Country Teams, Dalzot continues to push herself.
I run track and like it, but Im more of a strength runner than a speed runner. Ive always had a knack for running hills as well,she said.
As someone who sets high goals for herself, shes always envisioned participating in an event like this.
Its unbelievable that I get to go to Switzerland and run in the mountains,Dalzot said.This is truly a dream of mine to be able to represent my country. I think it might be any competitive athletes dream to be able to wear a USA jersey.
But, what is it about running she loves so much?
It allows me to eat a lot. I love to eat,she joked.Honestly, I really love being outside. It makes me forget about a lot of my stresses. I get stressed out very easily and running allows me to calm down.
As a sophomore human nutrition and foods major, finding the proper balance between school and running is a challenge. Some days, however, have to be devoted to running, while others are devoted to school.
Im not going to lie, its really difficult,she said.If I have a big race coming up, school is on the back burner. Thats not to say I dont do schoolwork, but I try to do everything I can to relax for the race because it does take a lot out of you.
Yet, there are other times when I have a big test where I get my run in first and then focus on school the rest of the evening.
Much to her chagrin, there was a time when running wasnt an optionnot even for fun. After red shirting her freshman indoor and outdoor track seasons, Dalzot suffered a stress fracture in her third metatarsal.
That was probably one of the hardest times in my life, being emotionally down and having to bike all of the time to try to stay in shape,she said.
After four months of recuperation, Dalzot began her training at the beginning of August with a run upThe Face,Wisp Ski Resorts main ski slope.
The slope is only half the distance of the mountain Ill face in Switzerland, and it took me seven minutes to run from bottom to top,she explained.
The first mile of the course will have a 1000-foot elevation gain, while the final 1.5 miles will be either flat or downhill. In preparation for the race, shell be running 70 miles per week with a lot of hill workouts; however, Switzerlands altitude is an unknown factor.
I was fortunate enough to run in Boulder, Colorado in February in the U.S. Cross Country Championship. I could definitely tell a difference in the altitude, but its not something you can prepare for unless you go over there and train,Dalzot said.
Keeping with the trend of lofty goals she sets for herself, her time in the September race isnt as important as where she finishes.
I would like to be one of the highest place finishers the team has ever had,she said.
To track Dalzots training, as well as other members of the junior mens and womens teams, visit the U.S. Mountain Running Team blog athttp://usmrt.blogspot.com