Bethanie Brown and Margaret Connelly’s advice for a successful race

Hayley Hochstetler/Iowa State Daily

Freshman Bethanie Brown tears up after crossing the finish line of the Midwestern Regional cross-country meet on Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, in Ames. The Cyclones finished the meet with 39 points, winning their fourth-consecutive Midwest regional meet. They will all be competing at the NCAA Championships on Nov. 23, 2013, in Terre Haute, Ind. 

Kyle Heim

Graduate Margaret Connelly and sophomore Bethanie Brown both competed in their first event of the season at the Roy Griak Invitational on Sept. 27. Both runners finished in the top 40 at the event, and both runners gave tips on how to race successfully.

• Connelly: Stay patient and relaxed during the first three kilometers.

• Brown: Prepare for the unexpected.

• Connelly: Do not start a race too fast.

• Brown: Keep your composure during races.

• Connelly: Do not fall too far behind at the start of a race.

“When you’re in a race, things can happen that you’re not expecting,” Brown said. “It’s important to keep your composure, keep pressing and never give up during a race, even if something flies at you unexpectedly.”

Connelly and Brown are both expected to compete at the Wisconsin Adidas Invitational on Oct. 17 and plan to utilize the advice that they provided during their races.

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