From Leaps to Long Runs, Josh Heit’s Unexpected Switch to Distance

SEATTLE-At the end of the track season as the team gets ready for Metros, and some hang up their shoes for the season, sophomore Josh Heit is trying to plan out his next year. 

“Hey Josh, come here for a second,” the newly appointed cross country Coach Jackson Derby said. “Are you doing anything this fall? 

Heit walks over, “Nope, just school,” said Heit. 

 “If not come out and run cross country.”  

Heit hadn’t given cross country any thought other than the few conversations he had with his dad about his time running in high school. This conversation with Coach Derby helped Heit consider for himself. 

“Why not?” 

Heit's entry into cross country this fall marks a significant shift from his previous athletic pursuits. Having focused on jumping events in track over the past couple of years, Heit decided to embrace a new challenge rather than sticking to the gym or prioritizing schoolwork alone. His motivation came from peers and personal curiosity with family influence.  

"I just wanted to get out there, I wasn't doing a fall sport, so I just wanted to try something new," Heit explained. "And it also gets you in shape pretty good."  

The transition from jumping to long-distance running presented a stark contrast in training styles. While track jumping emphasized precision and power “our jumping practices focus a lot on technique... a lot of explosive stuff."  

Cross country demanded a different mindset. Practices involve timed runs, with a mix of workout days featuring harder efforts and lighter recovery sessions, such as 30- or 50-minute runs. This switch wasn't just physical; it was about adapting to consistency in a sport that tests mental fortitude. Heit notes the rewards from having difficult practices.  

"I've definitely gotten in a lot better shape... and it's also just fun, knowing that I'm doing kind of a hard thing, just like running every day. It definitely builds consistency throughout everything." 

Just three weeks into the season, with two races under his belt, Heit has already encountered the realities of competitive cross country. The events have proven demanding, particularly for a new runner still learning the ropes.  

"The races I've struggled in... this is my first year, so I don't really have an idea of how to pace myself," Heit said, reflecting on his initial outings where he pushed too hard early on.

Despite the difficulties, he remains focused on improvement, viewing each race as an opportunity to refine his approach and contribute to the team. 

Balancing this new commitment with academic demands has emerged as one of Heit's biggest hurdles. As a junior enrolled in AP and honors courses, his schedule is packed. Practices often end around 6 p.m., leaving limited time for homework and relaxation.  

"What's been challenging is running and then getting home at like 6 and then still having like hella homework to do... so I have less free time almost," Heit said.  

Yet, he sees a silver lining in the discipline the sport has brought to his every day life. 

"But honestly, just doing this every day builds consistency, and it gets easier to do. It just becomes part of your real life."  

As the cross country season unfolds, Heit’s bold leap into the unknown is shaping him into more than just a runner, it’s forging a mindset of perseverance that will carry him through races, basketball courts, and beyond. Each step on the trail builds not just stamina but a quiet confidence, proving that the courage to try something new can lead to paths of unexpected strength.