Howell’s success a long time coming for USU
Many serious distance runners live and die by certain aspects of their running. For them, running is a way of life, and very few of the details escape them. For those runners, their personal records and previous times are as familiar to them as their PIN or social security number.
Daniel Howell is not one of those kinds of runners. He doesn’t remember his fastest personal time (commonly called a “PR”) in the 3K, his main event in indoor track and field.
“I just don’t think about that kind of stuff,” Howell said. “I’ll have to look up my time before the indoor season starts, so I can set a goal to decrease my PR.”
However, don’t mistake Howell for an athlete who doesn’t take his sport seriously. He just focuses on different things. “I barely lost the 3k at conference last year,” he said. “my goal for the indoor season is to win it this year.”
Howell has been making large strides since graduating from Manti High School in 2008 and joining the Utah State Cross Country team. This year has been what some might call a breakout year for him. Over the course of the season Howell managed to place himself at or near the front of the pack for most of the seasons’ races, peaking by placing first for the Aggies at the Regional meet, coming in 18th with a stellar time of 30:20.6, just four-tenths of a second away from qualifying him for NCAA Nationals.
“He’s done a great job of working hard and doing what’s required to get to the next level,” head cross country coach Gregg Gensel said. “He went from being a good runner to being a great runner over the course of the season. You have to give him credit because he’s worked really hard to get where he is.”
In a way that doesn’t show up directly in race results, Howell has contributed to the team this season in his ability to push the front pack. Team captain Brian McKenna said he’s recognized ways that Howell contributes to the overall team dynamic and race tempo of the team.
“Dan and I, we know how tough running is,” McKenna said. “When one of us starts to slack, we can call each other up and make things happen whenever we need to. Dan is also a great friend. It’s good to have a teammate, but better to have someone who understands how you think and what you’re going through.”
One of the most important aspects of effective pack running in cross country racing is the knowledge that teammates have of each other’s abilities. Good racers understand that there is a give-and-take when it comes to setting the race pace. Howell and McKenna have used each others’ talents to their own advantage to push themselves harder.
“We encourage each other in races. Brian and I have run most races together for most of the season. I tend to push out a little faster, and then he’ll push me and encourage me at a different point. Running with your teammates, talking to them occasionally, telling them to get next to you, that helps,” Howell said. It paid off at Regionals, the climax of the season.
“I’ve been waiting for that,” McKenna said of placing second on the team to Howell at the final meet of the season. “People ask me who my main competition is, but I tell them it’s Dan. Dan’s number one because I know how well he runs.”
Despite his knack for pushing his teammates in practice and in races, Howell’s personality reveals a relaxed attitude.
“He’s got a very loose personality,” Gensel said. “He loves to goof around and have fun. It’s a good dynamic to have. It makes it so people don’t take it that serious. Sometimes (the team) will be running a 5K, and as he runs by he’ll turn around and smile at us. He has fun with it, and that’s why he also has success.”
Howell’s personality combined with a fundamental view of running make him a very down-to-earth runner.
“Dan is unique in that he takes things for face value. He doesn’t believe in secrets for success; he believes in hard work,” McKenna said. “He’s learned how to enjoy it, thrive on what’s going on, and be in the moment. He’s a big outdoorsman. He’ll always be pointing out what kind of tree that is, or what kind of bird. He finds joy in the simple things and works hard at the same time.”
So where does a runner, who peaks at about 80 miles a week and considers 45 miles a week a mild jaunt, find joy in that hard work – especially when getting up and running in Logan’s sometimes-brutal weather sounds particularly uninviting?
“It’s very hard when your alarm goes off in the morning to get up and go run,” Howell said. “Honestly, though, once you’re out you enjoy it. You all have your down days, obviously, but when it comes down to it, you enjoy running, and you wouldn’t do it if you didn’t enjoy it. It gives you time to think, to be by yourself and enjoy the morning.”
Where are Howell and his teammates now that the cross country season is over? After about a week of rest, the cross country team is rebuilding their base of mileage and bouncing right back for the indoor track season, which begins around the turn of the year. Howell is looking to the horizon of the upcoming indoor and outdoor competitions, setting goals and aiming high.
“We’re in it for championships,” Howell said. “Our biggest competition is probably Idaho in indoors or Boise State, especially since Boise beat us (in the WAC cross country championships). We both know we’re aiming for each other. Everyone always aims to beat the one that wins.”
As for his own goals, Howell looks to improve on his already lofty times.
“My personal goal is to break 14 minutes in the 5k,” he said. “My best is 14:21. That’s a long way to go, obviously, but I’m going to try.”
Far be it from Gensel to suggest otherwise.
“He’s going to continue to be a great runner. He’s not a slouch. He’s got talent along with work ethic. You don’t tell them they can’t do something because most likely they’ll go out and do it.”
– mike.rees@aggiemail.usu.edu