For CHS senior, running is a lifestyle

By Sun Advocate

In just four years time, Garrett Marsing has put his name in the record books at Carbon High School.
With school records in Track and Field and in Cross Country, Marsing has quickly moved to the top of the list of runners that have competed for Carbon High School.
During a home meet at the Carbon Country Club on Sept. 25, Marsing put his running ability on display as he took first place in the boys race in 15:45. That was better than the rest of the field by more than 20 seconds.
But what has led to his success?
Endurance? Staying mainly injury free over his high school career? Competing against the best in the state on a regular basis?
All of those traits may be true, but Marsing’s greatest attribute may be something not having to do with being a cross country runner. It may come from who he is as a person.
Just being humble.
“I’ve always had good teammates and good coaches since I joined the team,” said Marsing. “There is just an enthusiasm that everyone on the team has that really makes this something I love doing.”
Quick to deflect any attention away from his personal achievements, Marsing focuses on the cross country team as a whole. When he does well at a meet, Marsing said he wants it to be a reflection of the entire team.
But as he racks up top 10 finishes and continues to lower his time with each meet, Marsing is the leader of a team with many young runners.
“It’s a big responsibility out there being a leader,” said Marsing. “We all have to work really hard and there’s a certain dedication that it takes to be a cross country runner.”
Marsing has a great endurance built upon miles and miles of running during the offseason and throughout the cross country season. During the season, he and his teammates look to increase their miles run during practices and on their own time. After the Carbon home meet on Sept. 25, Marsing said he was looking to up his average from 45 miles to 50 miles.
There’s more to running than just shoes hitting the pavement. With the time spent running with teammates and by himself, Marsing said it can become a mental block for people to overcome when trying to become a better runner.
“With cross country, it’s such a mental competition,” he explained. “You’ve really got to focus before a race by doing things like getting enough sleep, training the right way and eating well.”
During a race, knowing when to push the limit is a key. Not too early where you may get exhausted before the last mile and not too late where other runners may be too far ahead to catch up. But knowing when to hit the next level can be second to just hearing words of encouragement from coaches and teammates watching your every move.
“Hearing those words of encouragement can really make a big difference during a race,” said Marsing.
CHS head coach Telisse Allen said one key to Marsing’s success is his knowledge of what it takes to be a top runner.
“Garrett has developed into being a solid runner and someone who is very consistent in every race,” said Allen. “He just knows what to do out there.”
With the state meet on tap on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at Sugarhouse Park in Salt Lake City, Marsing and his Carbon High teammates are preparing to compete against the best runners in 3A.
Marsing said he has high hopes for himself and the team to do well.
“I want to take first place at state,” he said shortly after the home meet on Sept. 25.
Wanting to compete with the best, Marsing is also hoping to be included on a team that comprises the best runners in the state of Utah.
While competing in cross country is something Marsing is looking to do when he graduates high school, he also has plans to go on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for two years before continuing his running career in college.
“I really want to keep competing in cross country,” he said. “I want to go to the next level.”