April 25, 2002 - Julia Pudlin graduates in June, but her prep running career is history, (and what a history it is.)
by Don Rich
Amid the late afternoon glow of a welcome sun, Julia Pudlin ran her final race as a prep athlete for the Baldwin School. She hadn't announced her intentions to retire to anyone but family and her long-time coach Dermot Anderson.
The decision was actually reached two months ago when she realized that her college graduation was the same time as the adidas Outdoor Championships. But there were other circumstances, as well. Her recovery from the nagging aches and pains remaining from a broken heel in May 2001, and subsequent eight-month recovery, may have been enough to make the Penn Relays an appropriate curtain call.
"I really wanted to win this race because it's my third year of doing it, and I've always dreamed of winning the Penn Relays. But I guess I consider it a victory just to be here."
Her dream of adding a Penn Relays watch to her trophies was dashed in 2001 as she lost to Wissahickon's Paige Miller. This year, her plan was to hang back early so that she wouldn't be passed late. "But that girl (Elizabeth Maloy, NY) moved away early and I thought she was going to fall back, and she didn't." Julia was ultimately passed at the finish, and was 3rd in 10:01.87.
Julia plans to take a month off before starting to build her summer base for the transition to college competition. She'll run at Yale and is already looking forward to the opportunity to competing and studying in the Ivy League.
While pleased overall with her high school career, she was competing this spring on "patchwork training" due to the nagging aches and pains. And while she was somewhat disappointed with not achieving what she wanted to achieve in outdoor, the fall version of running remains her favorite. "Footlockers was the highlight of my high school career. It was just an amazing experience."
So was watching you compete Julia. Thanks.