Long Reach has seen talented runners in the past, but none can match the current class of 2021 trackstar, Cameron Hindle. 

In the past three Cross Country meets, Hindle has finished first with a 15:22 (3 miles) at the Howard Meet, 15:44 (5k) at the Althoton meet, and 16:04 (5k) at the River Hill meet. He also came second at the Howard County Cross Country Championships, breaking the second place LRHS record for that course (15:20).

This recent string of results do not come out of the blue, as Hindle has consistently achieved high rankings throughout his tenure on LRHS XC, and earned himself a top ten placing at the 2019 Eastern Region Championships. His previous results have also broken school records, where he stands as the fastest LRHS runner in 3k, 2.8 mile, 3 mile, and 5k events. LRHS Lightning Flash recently caught up with Hindle to talk about his career as a runner and his routines. 

Hindle began running in his middle school years: “I think it was like in 7th grade, I was running once a week then,” Hindle recalled. “As the years went on, I started to run more and more.”

Once he got into high school, Hindle began to focus more on track. “[In] ninth grade I wanted to try out for soccer, but once I got into high school I switched to running.”

As the 2021 XC season is underway, this would mark over a year since the last race was run. Like many other sports, the pandemic marked the indefinite suspension of matches, races, and practices alike. During this quarantine period, though, Hindle kept up his form and continued running solo.

 “I started running more than I ever have. Quarantine gave me an opportunity to run a whole lot more.” 

He elaborated, “Eventually I started running every day. I really didn’t have anything else to do.”

Hindle later described that during this past winter, while schools and sports were still closed, he would log a whopping 60 miles each week: more than a marathon, every three days. 

Along the revival of the high school season, Hindle has been able to enjoy running alongside fellow LRHS athletes. “Having a team with you kind of [lets you] get through it together.”

With this, Hindle can finally compete both with his team and against other competition. For each race, Hindle keeps a routine that begins the preceding day. Much of it is usual and crucial physical maintenance, such as drinking plenty of water and nutritious meals. Hindle also includes an Epsom Salt bath the night before and avoids dairy on the day of the race.

“It’s a common practice to avoid milk because it messes up your stomach,” Hindle added. 

On the psychological side of things, Cross Country is a brutal three mile stretch of certain exhaustion, and racers must become inured to the strain. Naturally, there is some degree of anxiety borne out of race day. 

“I’m always nervous before every race, even if it’s just a little bit. But once the guns go off, I’m not nervous anymore and focus up.”

As for the rest of the race, the results speak for themselves. 

Since the Cross Country season has been shortened, there is no regional or state competition. However, Hindle still has some goals in mind, even if it means moving the mark closer than a state title. “I definitely want to try and win every race [and] to win counties.”

Hindle is also looking beyond high school, namely college programs where he can continue his academic and athletic development.

“There are definitely some options to continue running in college…not really sure where yet … I will be making a decision about that soon.” 

Competitive running is an activity requiring utmost physical exertions. It pushes athletes to reach and break limits, forging victories from grueling workouts and unwavering exhaustion. However, Hindle finds enjoyment through this compounded effort.

“After a hard workout, you feel really good … a lot of people don’t want to keep at it. I promise if you stay running, it will get a lot easier.”