BOISE, Idaho — Former Boise State All-American Marisa Howard is set to take to the track in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase first round Monday night at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
Howard's family has grown since the last Olympic Games, which begs the question, will her dream of becoming a mother lead to her next dream of becoming an Olympian?
Eugene has a way of putting the former Bronco and Team Idaho hopeful at ease.
"It feels like a home away from home," Howard said. "I've competed here many times."
Hayward Field, the biggest stage the steeplechase has to offer in the United States, is a stage she's stood on multiple times in this Oregon town.
"I've raced really well at Hayward," Howard said. "Twice I raced NCAA (Championships) there and then I've raced multiple US Championships here. Knock on wood, I've never had a bad race at Hayward, so I'm excited to feel that magic again this week."
The University of Oregon facility is a place where Howard's dream have turned into reality, and the most spontaneous one of all, came true since the last time she was on the track at Hayward Field.
"I had a dream before the '21 trials that we had a little boy," Howard said. "I have a 2-year-old now, and I would say my life largely revolves around taking care of him."
"Marisa the mom" is now Howard's most cherished title – and time consuming one as well.
"Running is obviously still a huge part of my life, but I do feel like I'm mom first," Howard said.
Her coach and Boise State head coach, Pat McCurry, has noticed the power of parenthood. He's also noticed a more powerful athlete as a result.
"Trying to be a world-class athlete and train with a kid is a different thing," McCurry said. "I think there's mom strength too, especially on the endurance end, things kind of went through a different level. I think mentally, part of that mom strength is, it's not her whole focus anymore. So, it gets to be somewhat like a healthier perspective with running and you're doing it because you really want to do it, not because you feel like you have to."
"I feel like I'm a better athlete. You know, I think I'm a more balanced athlete now, just from like a mental standpoint, but physically I'm a better and stronger runner. I think pregnancy can kind of show, you know, your weaknesses and you have to build back kind of from the ground zero. I think I'm a better and stronger athlete from the mental side and the physical side."
All of that will be put to the test this week during the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field in Eugene. Howard is just two races away from connecting the path between parenthood and Paris.
"It's just such a big build-up and so I'm just ready to put it out there and I'm ready to show what we've worked for the last three years since 2021," Howard said.
As she attempts to make hay at Hayward Field one more time, there's a good chance the dream of motherhood could lead to another.
"He'll be up in the stands with my husband," Howard said. "Have a little boy up there – it's just sweet that that's come true, you know, and we're back here and I'm healthy and ready to go."
"She's absolutely in peak form," McCurry said. "We've done a good job being sharp for this meet, you know, whether it's the trials or U.S. Championships every year, but we've had some spectacular sessions lately. She's ready to go."
The women's 3,000-meter steeplechase is loaded with members of Team Idaho. Howard will line up against fellow former Bronco Allie Ostrander, Mountain View High School graduate Lexy Halladay-Lowry and McCurry's athlete Judi Jones in the second heat Monday night. Another McCurry athlete, Dana Klein, is in the event's first heat.
The first round of the 3,00m steeplechase begins at 6:59 p.m. MT Monday on NBC and Peacock, immediately following Boise native Nathan Green's run in the men's 1,500-meter final. Green is one of three members of Team Idaho looking to earn a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics on Monday night.
Watch more Sports:
See KTVB sports coverage in our YouTube playlist:
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET NEWS FROM KTVB:
Download the KTVB News Mobile App
Apple iOS: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Watch news reports for FREE on YouTube: KTVB YouTube channel
Stream Live for FREE on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching 'KTVB'.
Stream Live for FREE on FIRE TV: Search ‘KTVB’ and click ‘Get’ to download.