During the Commonwealth Youth Games, Dow made the finals in both of her events. She placed 5th in the 1500m and 7th in the 800m. That being said, Dow's success of 2023 wasn't just defined by those two moments. She competed in multiple high performance meets throughout the season.
"I won the Pacific Distance Carnival 800m which was super exciting. Then at the Harry Jerome Track Classic I broke the U18 1500m BC record which I had been chasing."
With all that excitement some rest was much needed, so after a bit of a break from competition, it is now full steam ahead with the 2023 cross country season. During 2022 Dow won the Island Championships, the BC Club Provincial Championships and the BC High School Junior XC Title. This year she hopes to accomplish even more.
"I like cross country, but I love track, so for me cross country is a great endurance and strength build through the fall and winter. My training group always does a cross country training camp at Sproat Lake. We rent a big house on the lake, we swim, do team building activities, cook and of course run a lot!. That is probably my favorite part of cross country season. As for my goals, I'd love to repeat my success from last season. The Senior Girls category is really competitive, so there will be lots of good races. Also, since I'm now U18, I'd like to try and make Team BC for the Canadian National Cross Country Championships in November."
Dow credits a lot of her success to her coach and the training group she is in. She trains with Olympian Bruce Deacon and the Prairie Inn Harriers Youth Racing Team.
"I'm so fortunate to have this group. I live about an hour away, so it's a lot of driving, but it's definitely worth it. We are all really focused and have big dreams. We push each other and train really hard, but we also have a lot of fun. Not to mention, Bruce is a really enthusiastic and experienced coach. He is a two-time Olympian and I think having a group to train with that wants the same sort of things is really important."
With that, Dow leaves us with a few parting words before she embarks on her busy cross country season.
"Go for it. Running gives you so many experiences that you wouldn't normally have as a high school student. You will be surrounded by such great people in the BC distance running community. Secondly, find a coach and a team that you really connect with since having great training partners can make all the difference. Lastly, race lots so you can learn something new from every race."