Pedersen Sticks it Out for One Final Season
by Rhiannon Potkey, Ventura County Star
November 13, 2005 As the injuries accumulated, the doubts began to creep into Jaclyn Pedersen's head.
Pedersen wondered why she even bothered still trying to run. She questioned whether her body was sending a painful message to call it quits for good.
But something deep down kept telling Pedersen to stick it out for one more season.
"I knew I hadn't reached my potential yet, and I really didn't want to end my career on an injury," she said. "I wanted to go out running my heart out."
Pedersen's perseverance paid off. The 5-foot-8 Long Beach State senior is having the finest cross country season of her career.
In what was likely the final race of her up-and-down collegiate campaign, Pedersen competed in the NCAA West Regionals on Saturday at Stanford.
"There is definitely some sadness because I have been running cross country since I was 7 years old," Pedersen said. "But at the same time, it is really exciting because our team has done so well."
Pedersen's previous three seasons were filled with nothing but agony as she suffered from a litany of injuries, including a torn meniscus, a broken toe, a pulled hip flexor and a stress fracture.
Finally given a clean bill of health, the Royal High graduate was able to establish a solid base to build on this season.
Two weeks ago at the Big West Championships, Pedersen ran a personal-best time of 22 minutes, 20 seconds.
"I have really had a mental breakthrough this season, and have been able to run to my ability for once," Pedersen said. "And the fact that I have been able to be a part of a team making huge improvements is really rewarding."
Even when she wasn't training with them, Pedersen retained a close relationship with all of her teammates.
"I have had such a great experience with them," she said. "They are my best friends, and I think that made all the injuries and all the time sitting on the sidelines worth it."
During her youth track days, Pedersen earned the nickname "Teapot" because when she was bored at practice she would wander around singing "I'm A Little Teapot."
The name spawned a hobby, and Pedersen's teapot collection has grown to about 70.
"I have quite a variety," she said. "You'd be surprised at how many stores sell teapots.
They are all over the place."
An interpersonal and organizational communications major, Pedersen wants to pursue a career in public relations or sports marketing once she graduates in May.
"I am anxious to get into the working field and see what I can achieve in that aspect of my life," she said. "Everything has been so focused on school and running for so long, it will be a good change for me."
But Pedersen is glad she silenced the doubts and listened to her gut for one last season.
"I am happy now with being done," she said. "I know it is OK to be at the end because I was finally able to reach my goals."
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