Earnest training for prep track starts in February, but Claire Bingham began her quest to join the Redwood Empire elite a year ago.
Coming off a trio of Sonoma County League titles as a junior, the Healdsburg sprinter was aiming for the North Coast Section finals when she injured her left ankle yet again, this time in football conditioning class.
Once healthy, Bingham ran over summer and played for the Greyhounds' tennis team in the fall. Then she took on winter training that consumed her hours out of the classroom — swimming, running and lifting weights daily.
"This year is my year," she said. "Making my body all-around stronger is what made the biggest difference. Because I've overcome all that other stuff, it's made me want it more."
Bingham — already among the region's top sprinters ever — wants more than to defend her league titles in the 100 meters, 100-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles. She wants to qualify for the section finals in both hurdles and reach the California prep championships in her best race, the shorter hurdles event.
Having run personal bests in all three just two weeks ago, Bingham said she can lower those times, figuring she has yet to run her fastest. Bingham's 100-meter hurdles time of 14.75 seconds in that recent meet is the region's third-best all-time.
"She's definitely starting to get into those times where there's a legitimate shot to go all the way to the state," said Petaluma coach Jim Lynch. "The great athletes don't get there unless they combine the great ability with the work ethic. She's gone the extra mile. I admire her for her courage."
A powerful yet lean athlete, Bingham has sprinter's strength and a hurdler's length at 5 feet 7 inches.
Her mother — and Healdsburg track coach — Jenean Bingham was a top Redwood Empire runner for the Greyhounds. She won SCL crowns twice in the 100 meters, three times in the 200 meters, and twice in the sprint hurdles.
While some of her daughter's physical ability is inherited, it takes much more to be among the best in such an individual sport as track.
"Claire was always better than me. I always knew she had more than me to give," Jenean Bingham said. "The toughest half is how they handle it all psychologically and she's proven that."
Suffering one setback after another during her prep track career, Claire Bingham has never lost her love of running or zest for all sports — even when injuries took her off the track.
"I've tried to keep it fun," she said. "At the high school level, it's not life or death."
Still, she has faced trying times, physically and mentally.
Bingham took the 100-meter hurdles league title her freshman year, but couldn't run other events as she was weakened from mononucleosis. Concentrating on the sprint hurdles, she reached the NCS meet, though not the finals.
"I saw how strong the girls looked," Bingham said. "Seeing that taught me how to dedicate myself."
Playing other sports provided cross training Bingham loved. Soccer in the fall and basketball in the winter worked her freshman year, but not so well as a sophomore.
Suffering a high ankle sprain in soccer, Bingham came back too soon from the injury to play junior varsity basketball. She hung up her track spikes after a couple of meets.
The injury and recovery roller coaster eased during her junior year, but only after Bingham dropped soccer and overcame yet another ankle sprain playing varsity basketball. That would be her last season of basketball.
"I love to compete," she said. "That's why it's been so hard for me to quit all those other sports."
Following intensive physical therapy, Bingham was primed for a breakout track season as a junior. Her title-winning runs in the 100-meter sprint and 100-meter hurdles are SCL meet records.
Just days after the league meet, Bingham sprained the same left ankle in the football conditioning class, ending another season on the track.
"That was pretty devastating," she said. "I would have definitely been in the running for going to state. So that was pretty hard to deal with."
Her injuries reflect the potentially troublesome side of cross training.
"You want them to stay in shape," Lynch said. "(But) there is the uncertainty that they can get hurt."
The injury slowed Bingham but didn't stop her. Playing a second year of tennis helped keep her in shape early in the school year, and it's a sport without bruising contact. Her winter training regimen provided even more strength and speed, particularly aiding Bingham's hurdling technique.
"In hurdling there's always something to work on," she said. "My form has come so far this season. I've had really smooth races."
Perhaps her best overall races came in a cold and damp meet with Casa Grande in late April when Bingham set the trio of personal records. Her 12:57 in the 100 meters is second-best in the Redwood Empire this season and fourth all-time. Running a 46.62 in the 300-meter hurdles, Bingham also has the second-best in the region this year, 16th-fastest ever. The 100 hurdles is her favorite, as the fastest time in the empire this season showed.
"I've always been the child that's been too fast, that takes too many risks," she said. "In that race, I don't have to slow down. But it's not just running, it's hurdling. I like challenges."
Somewhat less the risk taker now, however, Bingham tapes her ankles when running and vows not to do anything "dumb, different or dangerous." But she is back in football conditioning class this spring.
"We're making jokes that we're going to wrap her in bubble wrap," her mom said.
Her sights set on a strong finish, Bingham continues conditioning herself to shave time in the league finals, regional qualifiers and section finals, with her aim on the state meet in June. Bingham said she is ready for a month of intense competition.
"I just want to keep improving," she said. "I think it's the journey that made me stronger and wanting it more."
You can reach Staff Writer Michael Coit at 521-5470 or mike.coit@pressdemocrat.com.
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