Breaking Limits: How One Athlete Broke Two Track Records

Elia Blackmore, a determined and talented senior track athlete, had always dreamed of leaving her mark on the sport, but she never thought she’d be making history so soon. She had spent hours a day training and pushing herself during the off season determined to have a good season after the injury’s she has faced in previous years. As a senior this year is her last and it meant a lot to her, but with all the setbacks she went in thinking that all her good days were behind her.

“I wasn’t going into the meet expecting to break the record or even PR because it was my first indoor meet since freshman year considering I’ve been battling injuries every year” Elia said

However, the indoor meet at Anderson University was a turning point for her, as she ended up breaking the schools record in the 60-meter Peral at the blue and white relay by 8.9. Then she broke that one at the HCC invitational.

She was surprised by the result. “It was actually really chill that day,” she recalled. “It was the first meet of the season, so I wasn’t holding super high expectations for my race.”

Elia dedicated much of her off-season to strengthening her body and mind. She trained at West Indy Barbell, where she was surrounded by athletes who motivated her to push herself further.

“To push past my limits, I really had to make sure I stayed positive and surrounded myself around people who motivated me,” Elia explained. “I was putting all the work in that I could. I had to believe that I am capable of achieving the things that I dream about.”

In addition to focusing on physical strength, Elia worked on improving her running form and hurdle techniques. She noted that the importance of listening to her coaches and refining every aspect of her training.

“Physically, I try and make sure I lift and strengthen myself enough so I stay powerful throughout the season, but I also make sure I listen to any advice my coaches tell me, whether it’s from my running form or hurdle technique,”

This focus on improving herself, both physically and mentally, helped her build a positive mindset and maintain confidence.

“When I know I have done everything I can to improve myself, my mentality stays positive,” she shared.

Elia’s success at the meet not only reflected her physical training but also her mental growth. After years of facing injuries and mental challenges, she had learned to stay focused and set high goals.

“I have a lot of goals, from staying mentally strong throughout this season to potentially breaking more records like the 100-hurdle record or even the 300-hurdle record,” she said. “They’re a stretch, but I need to set my goals high in order to push myself past my limits.”

Elia’s journey is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about natural talent, it’s about resilience, dedication, and a willingness to push through the toughest challenges. With each hurdle she overcomes, both literally and figuratively, she grows stronger, proving to herself that hard work and determination can turn dreams into reality. As she continues to set her sights on even greater goals, Elia understands that progress isn’t always immediate, but it’s always worth the effort.

“Dream and then go work your butt off towards that dream,” she said