Hardies finds balance in her life

Updated: August 30, 2011 8:09PM

While Jill Hardies was recovering from a foot injury in the spring, Hinsdale Central’s top girls distance runner conducted a campaign for student office.

Just like on a cross country course or running track, Hardies won again.

For the third consecutive year, Hardies was elected as one of seven senators from her graduating class to Hinsdale Central’s Student Council.

As an elite runner, Hardies must limit her options to many outside activities or even school clubs due to her twice-a-day training, usually early in the morning and then after school. But if there is one activity that continues to interest Hardies, it is representing her fellow classmates as a senator.

As a freshman, Hardies did what many students do and joined several clubs. But due to her workout schedule, it became apparent that Hardies could not devote as much time as she hoped toward those clubs. Hardies said many of the clubs were service based.

The only other activity Hardies currently favors is Habitat for Humanity although she could not go on the club’s trip to West Virginia in July due to cross country workouts. Instead, Hardies helped raise money for the trip.

“It’s a club where I help out as much as I can,” Hardies said.

Student council consists of meetings twice a week in the morning. The students discuss ways to improve the school.

“It’s about how much you can help out at the school, how much you can work with other clubs to get things done,” Hardies said.

Hardies’ school day begins at 6 a.m. with a morning run for nearly 30 minutes two to three days a week. After school, there is more running from around 3:30-6:30 p.m.

“It’s difficult to find a balance,” Hardies said. “In my freshman year, I joined five clubs. I couldn’t keep up with all of them. I just stuck with one that I liked.”

After getting some physical therapy, Hardies can get around to her homework around 8 to 8:30 each evening.

Last year was a tough one for Hardies, who battled injuries all year long. She missed most of last year’s cross country season due to a stress fracture, but finished second in the Class 3A state meet (16:34) to Oswego East’s Ariel Michalek (16:32). Michalek returns to defend her crown while Hardies will try to become Hinsdale Central’s first girls state champion in cross country.

At the state track meet, Hardies dropped out during the 3,200-meter race due to a lingering tendinitis injury. This summer, Hardies managed to avoid cross training such as working the elliptical machine in the Red Devils’ fitness center or running in the water at the shallow end of the school swimming pool.

“I like swimming a lot, but I don’t like water running,” Hardies said. “I do it only when I’m hurt.”

As a freshman, Hardies finished 17th at the state cross country meet.

red devils girls cross country

Coach: Mark McCabe

Last year’s finish: 19th State

Top returnees: Jill Hardies, Jr.; Rebecca Marcotte, So.; Troy Taylor, Sr.; Allison Shaner, Jr.; Grace Klein, Sr.

Biggest meets: Hornet-Red Devil Invite, Saturday; Peoria Woodruff Invite, Sept. 10; Young Invite at Washington Park, Sept. 24

Outlook: Hardies is one of the Chicago area’s top distance runners and will need lots of help from her teammates if Hinsdale Central is hoping to return to the state meet.

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