Cady Macheel ’28 broke the school 5K record with a time of 18:54 at Buffalo Heights Golf Course last Thursday, September 24th. Amanda Montiplaisir set the previous school record in 2017 with a time of 19:10. Macheel’s new personal record (PR) and school record improved by 16 seconds, placed her 4th at the meet, and helped the girls team finish 4th out of 6.
“Sub 19 was a big goal of mine last year, but that didn’t pan out for me,” Macheel said. “This year it was my main goal that I kept to myself to try for that sub 19 that I didn’t last year.”
Macheel has been on the varsity cross country team since 8th grade, making this her 4th year on the team and also her 4th time racing at Buffalo. Macheel has actually beaten the school record before, just not in an official school race. At Nike Cross Country Regionals during November of 2024, Macheel ran a 19:00.
Her training last year was more intense with three hard workouts a week, a race, and higher mileage. This year it is a lighter load with less intense workouts and lower mileage. Macheel feels a lighter workout load is better able to help her achieve her goals.
“Last year mentally took a toll on me,” Macheel said. “I got burnt out by the middle of the season, I was done, but this year I am excited to run and excited to race.”
Running is a very mental sport and the competition in the Lakes Conference can make it even tougher.
“I think anyone can physically run,” Macheel said. “Mentally, if you’re negative, physically you’re not going to do well. If you keep positive thoughts you’re going to do well.”
To help combat negative thoughts during races Macheel has go-to positive phrases.
“I just tell myself I can do hard things, I am strong, I can do this,” Macheel said.
Before the race Macheel was feeling relaxed and excited to run because it was a familiar course with a small number of teams.
“I wasn’t expecting to get the record because the course is hilly and it was raining before so the ground was muddy,” Macheel said. “I think once I heard my two mile time I thought I could actually run the time that I did, [I thought] I just got a mile left, I just got to race with the girls next to me”.
Macheel wasn’t the only one who PR’ed at the home meet, Madonna Buselmeier 31’ set a PR by 20 seconds in the 5k. The girls face hard competition in the section with strong competitors from St. Michael-Albertville, Wayzata, Minnetonka, and Rogers. Macheel hopes to make it to state for the 5k this year, with this new school record being a motivator.
Macheel’s teammates are one of the reasons she loves to run.
“It’s definitely the people and the atmosphere,” Macheel said. “They are so inclusive and positive.”
Macheel also enjoys the feeling of running and the accomplishment afterwards.
“Running on my own is an outlet,” Macheel said. “It’s nice to get out, and not think of anything else and when I get done, [I think] I just did that, I just ran, the feeling of accomplishment is really good.”
Dassel-Cokato is the location of her next meet on Tuesday, September 29th. The course is one of the most difficult in Minnesota because it both starts and ends uphill. Cady is hoping to place rather than PR to set her up for success for both sections and conferences.
