Released in conjunction with our Hot Takes video series, York Lions student-athlete Q&As allow our Lions to share stories about who they are and what they are about. This week, we speak with women's track & field athlete Alanah Broomfield. She tells us about her experience as a Lion, her resilience in recovering from injury, and developing a passion for track & field later on in her career.  
 
What made you attached to track & field? When did you decide to make it your athletic career?
 
When I was younger, my parents put me and my twin sister in a lot of sports. Not only to keep us occupied, but also to find us our passion. They felt that we needed to have something outside of school, something fun to do. For me, that was basketball for a long time. After a while, I experienced a couple injuries and decided it wasn't for me. Both my parents were track athletes, so I got into it. I went to my first practice when I was 7 or 8, and I was kind of on the chubbier side, while my sister had the proper physique for track & field. I was like, "Oh, this is so hard, I don't want to do this." I was so behind when I was in elementary school – I hated running. I even faked asthma once, so I didn't have to run! But as time went on, when I got to about Grade 8, I started to get serious about it and in high school I got to the level where I was able to qualify for OFSAA and win medals. The rest in history – I fell in love with the process. If you work hard, you can expect good results.
 
Is that takeaway you just described something you can take with you into everyday life?
 
That's one thing track & field has taught me – resilience. Keep at it, because I had to experience quite a few injuries. In my first year at York, I had a hamstring injury and was devastated. I was only able to compete in two meets. At the end of the year, I was questioning why Ray [Rudder, Lions track & field head coach] would even want me on his team. The next year, I kept at it, found my core group of teammates to motivate me and keep me accountable, and we ended up as OUA bronze medallists. It's so rewarding when you work hard for something and get rewarded. And that's life in a nutshell, really!


 
Tell me about the biggest achievement you've had in your athletic career.
 
My first medal in high school. It was only a bronze medal at OFSAA, but once I got over that hurdle it gave me newfound motivation. I think at the time I really needed that validation to tell myself that I was able to compete at a high level and keep going. During that time, there was a lot going on in my family with the health of my grandparents. I really needed that at that specific time.
 
This year, everyone has had some time off with the pandemic. Have those previous injury breaks helped you get accustomed to long breaks without competing?
 
Yes and no. A lot of people have been wondering if they will come back strong enough. In that sense, I knew that I would. I already had that mentality. You don't always have to be running and competing. But I don't think it prepared me for how much I would miss it. I miss being around my teammates, and when I was rehabbing I would still have those types of interactions all the time. I would still be in a practice environment. But now, it's all on us to train individually. This time is all about who is mentally tough enough to keep training.
 
What does being a York Lion mean to you?
 
Being a Lion has literally changed my life. When I came here, I didn't really care to be here. I had offers in the U.S. and didn't go, so I just figured I would run here and that's it. But the atmosphere here has totally changed my perspective on the OUA, the level of talent, athletic programs in general, and how much they care. Even if I didn't walk away from the program with any medals, I'd walk off campus being so proud to have been a York Lion. The way they treat us here is outstanding.