Bismarck Tribune
By CINDY PETERSON Bismarck Tribune
September 27, 2010
Joash Osoro believes he won't have to dial his girlfriend's number before big cross country races this year.
Osoro, who is now a sophomore harrier for the University of Portland, became overwhelmed last year before the NCAA Division I national championships.
"I had to call my girlfriend because I was so nervous," said Osoro, a St. Mary's graduate. "I could not fall asleep because I was not used to such big meets, but this year I hope I don't have to call anyone at three in the morning because I can't fall asleep."
Osoro didn't fare too badly as a true freshman. He placed 67th at the national meet in Terre Haute, Ind., and helped lead the Pilots to a 13th-place finish despite carrying around butterflies in his stomach.
This year, those nerves have calmed.
"It's a huge difference from last year," said Osoro, who was an academic All-American last year. "I guess I know and have an idea of college meets. I kind of went into a race saying, ‘Whatever happens, happens.' But this year, I think racing in a big race will be easier for me."
So far it has been.
Osoro was Portland's top runner in its season opening meet.
Osoro won the Pier Park Invitational, a home meet, in a time of 24:42 on Sept. 10.
Behind Osoro, the Pilots are ranked eighth nationally and are favored to win their 32nd straight West Coast Conference title.
Osoro said he went into that race in the best shape he's ever been.
"I let other people lead the race the first mile or so, and then I took control of it," he said. "I was supposed to do a workout in that race since I wasn't going to be able to do our team workout the next day due to family problems. My uncle had passed away, so my family was here for a funeral. I asked my coach if I could do the race as a workout."
Osoro and his coaches are finally figuring out what he is capable of doing on the course and have come up with a proper plan for mileage.
"We have had some trouble in the past figuring out the right type of mileage for me," said Osoro, who is pursuing a degree in nursing with a minor in business administration. "I am training really different this year. The older guys on the team are showing me those little things that make me better, things you overlook like easy days we go easy and hard days we work harder."
Monitoring his health has been a key factor for Osoro.
"I eat really healthy these days," he said. "I'm getting all the protein and carbs possible and those veggies that my mom keeps insisting on. I have trained myself pretty well in not eating junk food. I do like to eat ice cream and cookies once in awhile."
Osoro is finally healthy. In October of last year, he was slowed down with osteitis pubis, a common malady with runners.
Osteitis pubis is an inflammation of the pubic symphysis, which is the joint at the front of the pelvis between the two ends of the pubic bone. This inflammation leads to sclerosis and bony changes of the pubis symphysis, causing both acute and chronic groin pain.
"I decided to force myself to finish the season," Osoro said. "I decreased my mileage a lot because it was hard to run. After nationals, I took time off, but it never got better. I thought I was done running, but with a lot of prayers and support from my teammates, trainers and my physical therapist, they helped me get back on my feet and be able to do what I love to do the most."
Osoro didn't start training again until June.
"I was so worried about the team without me and was trying to figure out how I was going to get in shape fast and be able to contribute," he said. "Thank God, I am back earlier than expected, and I am looking forward to a great season."
Osoro sees this year's Pilots as a special group.
"I see this team as dangerous to the NCAA because we've got a lot of younger talent," he said. "Our goal is to do better than last year, because it was a disappointing finish for the team. I think individually I could have done way better than I did last year, but I can't keep beating myself up. I just have to move on and try to make this season a good one."
After cross country wraps up, Osoro moves on to indoor track and then to outdoor track. He redshirted in both last season.
"To get academic All-American was pretty sweet," Osoro said. "It is really hard to balance everything. Running and school becomes a job everyday. I spend a lot of time in the library. I think the workers know my name now because I'm always in there."