Riley Nedrow, a cross-country and distance runner, recently shared an inspiring reflection on his fall running season in Provo, Utah, which was marked by hip injuries, RED-S, and unexpected challenges both on and off the course.
Riley is a student-athlete who runs for Salt Lake Community College and has a deep passion for running, hiking, and exploring the outdoors.
His post highlights the obstacles, growth, and memorable moments from his cross country (XC) and half-marathon races this season.
Cross Country Runner Shares an Inspiring Journey!
Riley’s post begins with his move to Provo in July, where he planned to compete in cross country for Salt Lake CC.
Alongside running, he discovered a love for hiking the nearby Wasatch Mountains, which became a new hobby and a refreshing way to stay active outside of training.
He shared that while the season brought exciting experiences, it also presented significant personal and athletic challenges.
Early in the season, Riley was diagnosed with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), a condition caused by insufficient nutrition relative to training demands.
This required him to manage his health and training carefully, and he missed most of the regular XC season, including conference races.
Despite this setback, he was able to compete at nationals, where he faced heavy snow and slippery trails, an experience he described as one of the most fun cross-country races he has ever run.
Riley’s challenges continued at the Half Marathon Championships, where he tripped just 200 meters into the race and suffered a serious hip injury.
His determination not only allowed him to finish the race but also contributed to his team’s remarkable improvement, moving from unranked to 11th at the XC Championships and 6th at the Half Marathon Championships.
Throughout this journey, Riley credits his teammates and coach, Griffin Humphreys, for their guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support.
Reflecting on the season, Riley emphasizes that the hardships, hip injuries, RED-S, and harsh weather ultimately became opportunities for growth, resilience, and stronger teamwork.
Looking ahead, he is motivated and excited to take on new goals and challenges in the coming months.
