Senior runner Alexia Tubbs crossed the finish line at the Haverford High School Central Athletic League meet and glanced at the clock. Her time of 10:42.88, officially broke the Conestoga girls’ 3,200-meter record that had stood since 2006. Tubbs surpassed the previous mark of 10:49.52, set by Liz Costello, cementing her place in Conestoga track history.

“Honestly, I did pretty standard training in the week leading up to Haverford, just track workouts and long runs,” Tubbs said. “I went in looking to run a good race, and I did place where I was seeded, but I was a little surprised that I broke the record.”

The accomplishment was the result of months of preparation and discipline spread across the weeks leading up to the race. According to Coach Tina Riggs, runners build their success long before race day.

“The largest part of her overall training, and for all distance runners, is the building of the aerobic base,”Riggs said. “Weeks and months of base running builds the internal engine that will eventually be used to perform in races like Haverford.”

Riggs shared that Tubbs’ training schedule included long runs of eight to 10 miles each week, along with two to three mid-distance workouts.

While the physical training played a major role, Riggs believes Tubbs’ mentality was just as important.

“Distance runners learn patience. Alexia knows that,” Riggs said. “She recognizes that results do not happen overnight. Every practice and every race is a learning opportunity and she understands that. Her success at Haverford was a reflection of that.”

Tubbs said the record and her qualification for states were both major milestones in her career.

“I saw the record break and my state qualification this past weekend as big wins,” Tubbs said. “I am looking forward to running college track at Johns Hopkins. Although, I know it will be more competitive, and the races will be longer.”

Tubbs and Riggs put together a plan in order to ensure success for the final races in her high school track and field career. Tubbs looks to find further success in college running and beyond.

August Zangrilli can be reached at [email protected].