By Valerie Cerda
Isaac Forman, a Westmoore High School’s track athlete, talks about his high school experience with the track team. Focusing on 4×800, Forman competed at Oklahoma’s 2024 State Meet, representing Westmoore.
VYPE: When did you start in track?
Isaac Forman: I have run track since my freshman year of high school.
VYPE: What made you interested in running track?
IF: My older brothers did track, which interested me. Watching them run at a young age
made me want to do it, which fed into the sibling rivalry.
VYPE: Do you play any other sports?
IF: I have played multiple sports, including football, wrestling, and cross country. I competed in football for three years (junior high- freshman), wrestling for five years (6th grade- sophomore), and competed in cross country for three years (sophomore-senior).
VYPE: What is something you enjoy about running?
IF: One thing I enjoy about running is the people I meet. Running is rarely fun, so what
keeps me in the sport is my team and friends. I could never have done as well as I have without all the people supporting and running with me.
VYPE: Have you ever considered quitting? If so, what makes you hold back?
IF: Every athlete has thought about quitting their sport once. What has kept me grounded is the idea that progress comes with personal and physical struggles. So when the workouts get hard, my legs become rubber; I keep in mind that I am getting better and helping my team to do the same.
VYPE: Are you planning on running track in college?
IF: I do not plan on running in college. I have been accepted into Oklahoma University’s Biomedical Engineering program, so I do not think I’ll have time to run on their team. I plan on staying active and lifting in my free time.
VYPE: What events have you competed in?
IF: I have competed in the 1600, 800, 400, 4×800, and 4×400. I mainly focus on the 800 and was blessed to compete with my teammates on Westmoore’s 4×800 at Oklahoma’s 2024 State Meet.
VYPE: What do you think makes a good runner?
IF: What makes a good runner is someone consistent and disciplined. You can go a long way in track if you just show up and run your workouts as you should. Most people will get out what they put into this sport. If you stay consistent and disciplined, you will do all you can in this sport and be a great runner.
VYPE: What is your motivation?
IF: My source of motivation just depends on how I feel that day. It can range from dislike toward my competition to love for my teammates. I try to keep my faith in God as a central motivation. I believe we should do everything we can to the best of our ability while being humble, so we do not glorify ourselves but God instead.
VYPE: How has your coach prepared you for meets?
IF: Our coach has helped me prepare for meets by emphasizing mental visualization. This allows me to game plan and not be caught off guard when something happens during my race.
VYPE: How often do you practice?
IF: We practice every day except Sundays, no matter the conditions.
VYPE: How do your teammates help or motivate you?
IF: My teammates help motivate me by cheering and just being there. I have no words to describe how much they help me. Even if they do not cheer or are not there, I know they count on me and demand my best.
VYPE: What are some words of advice you would give to someone wanting to start track? IF: I would tell someone that it is a choice to do good. You can rely on all these excuses as to why you do not want to start, did not hit the time you wanted, or anything else. It just boils down to whether you give your best; if you give your best, great! Even if you did not meet your goal but almost fell through the finish because of exertion, that’s all you could do, and you will get it next time.
