State B Track: Makena's final prep laps

For four years, Makena Morley has baffled the Montana running community and beyond.

The Bigfork native is a four-time state cross country champion, a four-time Gatorade Montana Cross Country Runner of the Year, holder of the all-class state three-mile record and a two-time state track champion in 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs.

She’s represented Team USA, winning the junior women’s 4k race at the Great Edinburgh XCountry International Challenge in Scotland, and she’s also posted top-10 finishes in the two-mile races at the Brooks PR Invitational in Seattle, Washington, the New Balance Outdoor Nationals in North Carolina and the Arcadia (California) Invitational — just to name a few.

As far as the story of Morley’s prep career is concerned, she’s thrived more than she’s faltered. Her legend is full of success, surely to be cemented in the history of Treasure State athletics.

But how good can story be without a little adversity to tangle with the protagonist?

There are no hurdles on the track when Morley bolts from the starting line in any of her events; although, this year the senior dealt with one of the most difficult obstacles of her career.

Diagnosed with anemia — a condition in which blood doesn’t have enough healthy red cells — caused by an iron deficiency, Morley experienced typical symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. With low levels of ferritin — a major iron storage protein — Morley’s blood wasn’t producing enough hemoglobin which, in turn, didn’t allow her red blood cells to carry as much oxygen throughout her cardiovascular system — an internal task necessary for a distance runner to push the body to the limit.

“It was pretty hard at first. I was like, ‘Oh man, I’ll have to slow down. I’ll have to take it easy a little bit.’ It’s definitely taught me to be a better runner,” Morley said.

“I’m learning to trust myself and listen to my body. I’ve definitely learned to listen to my body a lot more and really appreciate the races I get to run.”

On pace for more record-breaking races, Morley put her senior season track goals high above the field. After breaking her own all-class state record during the cross country season, Morley set her eyes on the all-class mark for the 3,200-meter run of 9 minutes 48 seconds while hoping to break 4:40 in the mile.

Alas, due to low ferritin levels, Morley sat out almost the entire track season.

At the Western B divisional meet, she ran in all four of her events for the first time this season, capturing first place in the 3,200 with a time of 10:36.59, just one week before today’s state meet.

While her iron levels slowly regulate, her approach to her final state meet has changed.

Morley stated her current ferritin level is 28 nanograms per milliliter of blood and said, “I want to be above 40, but even at this level I felt better than I have in while.

“I was hoping to run 10-flat (in the 3,200). If that happens, it happens. I’m not quite thinking of time goals. Maybe at the Brooks PR, once my iron levels are back up, I can try for that 9:40 in the 3,200.”

Evidently, she may not reach her lofty marks this weekend, but it doesn’t mean she never will. The big picture has become a lot clearer to the future Montana Grizzly.

“I’ll still be able to go (the University of Montana) and have a good cross country season and not put too much pressure on myself. I want to run the best I can with what I’ve been given.”

Setbacks aside, Morley is a competitor looking to defend her state championships from a year ago. More importantly, as she steps onto the track for her last race as a Valkyrie, the company at the state meet is most enticing.

“It’s so special. I’m really happy that it’s in Kalispell, too,” Morley said. “I can sleep in my own bed. I can run in front of people I’ve known forever. To have Logan (brother) and Bryn (sister) there, this is my only high school year to run with both of them at the same meets, I’m really excited.”

Adrenaline is an intriguing substance proven to help athletes outperform their expectations. Running in front of friends and family, who knows what Makena will be capable of in the finals. Regardless of the outcomes of her events, Morley has added a new weapon to her running arsenal — fortitude.