Insider Report: From Starting Line to Front Lines

Four runners with much in common helped the University of New Hampshire women's cross country team to a third straight America East championship in 2015.

They are a four-pack of running nurses, a subset of the Wildcat women's running program that has served as a backbone of the cross country and track & field teams through much of the past decade.

Amber Short, Brianna Boden and Samantha Blais were all members of the Class of 2016.

Shannon Murdock received her undergraduate degree in 2019. She was working on her masters and looking for a big season this spring on the track before her collegiate running career was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among her many accomplishments, Murdock was named America East Scholar Athlete for winter track this year.

Amber Short, Brianna Boden, Samantha Blais & Shannon Murdock were all on the 2015 team

All four are homegrown, New Hampshire athletes – Short and Boden from Keene, Blais from Lyndeborough and Murdock from Exeter – and all four matched their commitment to challenging academics in a difficult and time-consuming major to their commitment to a challenging, three-season sport.

All have gone straight from the starting line to the front lines, working in their chosen field.

"We're obviously very proud of them being on the front lines and protecting us," said women's cross country and track & field coach Rob Hoppler. "They're stepping up to challenges. They certainly are essential workers, whether they're working with COVID-19 patients, or working with other patients to free up others to work with COVID-19 patients. They're hardworking, tough people contributing to our society and wellbeing in a big way."

UNH won five straight America East cross country championships starting in 2013 and made it six in seven years with a title in 2019. At least one member of the group of four was on each title team and in four of the championship seasons there were three or four nurses on the squad.

Another nursing student, Elise Beattie, was integral to the Wildcat championship in 2013.

It's been a great fit.

"They're that type of kid," Hoppler said. "They're real good at time management. They're really dedicated. They have a tendency to be team-oriented and to work for and with others very well. That's the type of kid you're able to build a team around, hardworking, giving people."

There's good news to come from the nursing majors/team angle as well.

Nursing major Lauren Dean of Gilmanton Iron Works, a freshman in eligibility, finished ninth in the America East championship race last fall and Cayla Barretto, a junior from Woburn, Mass., was 11^th.

We checked in via email with the most recent running/nursing alums and here's what we found.

Amber Short, Brianna Boden and Samantha Blais at UNH in 2015

Brianna Boden '16

Works in the Boston area as a nurse educator for patients with a severe lung condition called Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

How has the coronavirus pandemic impacted your work and life?

Due to the nature of my patients, with an underlying lung condition, it has been very scary for them knowing that if they got COVID-19 it most likely would be fatal. It definitely has led to being much more cautious when caring and educating these patients. I am required to wear an N-95 mask, gloves and gown when working with all patients. I see patients in their homes or at the hospital and I have to be extremely diligent with ensuring I am using proper PPE, as I am going in and out of various places and don't want to spread anything.

Do you have a message for people on how they should be dealing with the coronavirus situation?

Please stay home. We are begging you. I know it is tough, I know money can be tight, I know it can be lonely. But the doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists - we are maxed out. It's a terrible virus, one I hope that you and your family never have to experience. We can fight this, but we have to do it together.

How did your nursing (and running) experiences at UNH help prepare you for what you are doing now?

I can relate many life experiences and learning moments from my time at UNH. Just like dealing with this virus and caring for patients, there are going to be tough days. Tough days where you don't think you can push anymore. And that's when you have to lean on others, such as your co-workers. There were races, workouts, long runs where I didn't think I could do it and that's when I leaned on my teammates. They would pull me through and made me realize I'm not alone. My teammates at UNH are some of the greatest individuals I have ever met and continue to be some of my lifelong best friends. These are the people that showed me to find your people, love them well, use them to support you, and do so in return.

What is your best UNH running memory?

The America East Conference Cross Country Championships in 2013. It was the first year we had won in a LONG time. I'll never forget coach Hop walking over to us with the results, throwing them on the ground and exclaiming "WE FINALLY DID IT!" That was the start of a long streak of winning those championships. What a group of women I was so lucky to train and run alongside.

How much do you run now, if at all?

I still run. I don't think I'll ever stop, or at least stop trying. I just completed my first marathon in September and continue to run about 50 miles a week. It's definitely different/tough not getting to run daily with my friends, but I still enjoy finding different ways to push myself.

Amber Short, '16

Vanderbilt Medical Center colleagues, left to right, Kelli Walker, Maggie Pitts and Amber Short.

Works in cardiovascular step-down unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn.

How has the coronavirus pandemic impacted your work?

At work it has been extremely stressful as we prepare for a possible mass influx of coronavirus patients. Nearly every day the CDC releases new guidelines on how to properly care for patients within the hospital during this time. I've learned to be flexible and understanding as we are all learning how to fight this virus together and as quickly as possible.

How has it impacted your life away from work?

Personally, it's also been hard not knowing when the next time is I can go home and see my family and friends in New Hampshire. But I'm thankful we are all safe, healthy, and have FaceTime!

Do you have a message for people on how they should be dealing with the coronavirus situation?

Take the CDC recommendations seriously. Wash your hands often. Use this time to slow down and remember what is important. Although we don't know when, this will pass.

How did your nursing (and running) experiences at UNH help prepare you for what you are doing now?

Coach Hop always made sure that our health and wellbeing came first, then nursing school, and finally running. I remind myself often to use his rationale because I can't take care of others without taking care of myself first.

What is your best UNH running memory?

So many! Our junior year of nursing was the most difficult academic year and after finishing finals Brie, Sammie, and I went to ECACs at Princeton University. The three of us raced and finished the 10K all together, just as we had supported one another through that difficult year. That was pretty special!

How much do you run now, if at all?

I took about a year off from running, I mentally and physically needed a break, but have recently started running again. Running again has definitely helped to clear my mind during these hard times!

Sammie Blais, '16

Works per diem in Inpatient Pediatrics and full time in Same Day Surgery at Dartmouth- Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.

How has the coronavirus pandemic impacted your work?

Since I work on an outpatient surgery unit, I have been trained up to the ICU level and to the critical care level to accommodate recovering more intensive patients in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) if we experience a surge in patients. Additionally, when I am not floating to other units, we have a daily check in area that staff identifies hospital needs (i.e. checking staff and patients for symptoms of COVID-19 at entrances, help with phlebotomy or IV team). Our census is currently low for COVID-19 patients so I have not been needed on my Inpatient Pediatrics Unit and have been working a lot in the PACU (which is for more critical level patients) to recover patients who require surgery during this time. A lot of people have been waiting a lot longer to seek medical attention so they are arriving to the hospital a lot later than they should. For example, we are seeing a lot of people with worsening cardiac issues, ruptured appendixes and stroke symptoms that had not been identified early enough. It is a scary time. Camaraderie on the floor at work is strong. We are all very motivated to be helping and are good sports about PPE shortages.

How has it impacted your life away from work?

I am in graduate school right now so I have been balancing my school work with studying to be competent in providing a higher level of care to patients at work. It's been a lot. I am also a mother of a 2-year-old little lady now, so I have the stress of her continuing to go to daycare while her dad and I continue to work (we're both essential workers). I worry that she will get the virus at daycare and him while he's out during the day. It is a constant worry. I also have a backup plan to stay with a coworker if we do happen to see a large surge of patients in New Hampshire. And if Massachusetts is largely in need of more staff, I have also considered being away from my family to help care for the patients that need it. It is a fluid time, but I am just taking it day by day and starting some projects at home to keep us busy when we are all home.

Do you have a message for people on how they should be dealing with the coronavirus situation?

Yes. If you are so lucky to feel that the corona virus pandemic is not hitting your area as hard as expected, that is a great indication that social distancing, hand washing, and wearing masks in public have been working in your area, so I suggest that you continue to follow the instructions of your state. If you are in an area where you are being affected more seriously, I wish you health and safety and urge you to ask for help if you need it. I have been doing a lot of research on the topic. I listen to podcasts and reviews of some reliable research that suggests that the virus really affects how your lungs exchange oxygen, so the more you can keep your lungs open the better. The best way to do so if you do fall sick is to continue to move regardless of the discomfort you feel. Stretch your torso if it hurts, lay on your stomach if you can at night in a swimmer position. All of these are just some tools if you do have symptoms to give yourself something to do to try to get the best outcomes. Certainly seek medical attention if you are having a lot of difficulty breathing!

I also would tell people that in New Hampshire it's okay to keep going outside as long as you keep your distance! Go for walks, enjoy the outdoors, plant a garden at your house, learn some new healthy recipes to cook, go running, spend some time talking on the phone with people you haven't talked to or seen in a while. These are all great and wholesome things to do. I go for a run multiple days a week to keep my stress level down and to clear my head. I also take my daughter for a walk. These are all ways to keep you positive, happy, and healthy during this time. Limit the amount of news you're watching and aim to support and be kind to others. This is a time of coming together for the world in a common fight to get through a scary pandemic.

How did your nursing (and running) experiences at UNH help prepare you for what you are doing now?

Nursing and running at UNH helped me prepare for this in many ways. Nursing has prepared me to be inquisitive and curious. I have been on top of the latest research to stay current on the virus. Additionally, the UNH nursing program always gave me the drive to be open to experiences. In a time like this, I've been open to help in whatever way I am needed. Running has also prepared me for this because it is my way of de-stressing and processing what is going on in my life. It gives me an outlet to process what I can do to make this better for my family, my unit at work and myself, what I can do to make sure everyone is safe. Running is a way for me to show my daughter what I once did in college while I push her in her stroller. It is a great bonding experience and de-stressing mechanism.

What is your best UNH running memory?

Running long runs on Long Snell. It was my favorite route to run on. I also loved when we had long runs or team workouts on Sunday and Coach Hoppler would follow us on his bike and we would all run fast and still have the gusto to joke around a little. It was a great way to spend the morning and then we'd go to eat breakfast as a team in downtown Durham after. Boy, were those the best breakfasts!

How much do you run now, if at all?

I run a few times a week. I usually run with my daughter, unless she doesn't want to come and someone can watch her. So it has become a slow and steady jog instead of a run for me over the years. I am beginning training for a marathon in October with a few family members however, so I should begin to run a lot more than I have been.

Shannon Murdock, '19

Graduated with an undergraduate degree (BSN) in 2019. Obtained RN license in July 2019 and began Masters in Evidence Based Nursing program Fall 2019 while competing in a fifth year of eligibility for UNH cross-country/track. Plans to continue with the MSN program on part-time basis while working.

What line of nursing are you in and where are you working?

I am starting on June 1 in the Nurse Residency Program at Exeter Hospital. I will be working on a 20-bed medical/surgical unit.

How has the coronavirus pandemic impacted your work and life?

A lot of planning went into my fifth year of eligibility - redshirting a full year, choosing to begin a graduate degree program - and I had a lot of goals I still wanted to accomplish, particularly in outdoor track. When it became clear that an outdoor season would not be happening, I was initially crushed. It took me a bit to process, but - as Coach Hop always emphasizes - health is the most important thing. I'm sure other NCAA athletes in their final seasons feel similarly disappointed, but this situation provides valuable perspective; when a semblance of normalcy returns and competition is reinstated, we should cherish the opportunity to practice sport.

Though my athletic life looks different, COVID-19 has allowed me to spend more time on academics and career. I'm currently finishing up my semester classes online, and I accepted my first post-grad job. If anything, I have felt guilty being at home knowing that I am a young, healthy person with the qualifications to help on the front lines. I am looking forward to joining the workforce in June and feel lucky that I am able to find a job in a time of such high unemployment.

Do you have a message for people on how they should be dealing with the coronavirus situation?

Stay at home! This is not a drill! It is easy to feel removed from the most disastrous effects of the virus while holed up inside, but passivity is more helpful than action right now. Watch the news once in a while to stay informed and as a reminder of what is still going on in harder-hit areas. Take the down time to slow down and reset.

How did your nursing (and running) experiences at UNH help prepare you for what you are doing now?

Balancing the rigorous UNH nursing curriculum with an intense Division I training and racing schedule was difficult at times. Through the experience however, I learned how to take care of myself in order to be well-equipped to take care of others, a skill that is always important, but especially now and especially as a healthcare worker.

What is your best UNH running memory?

Fall of 2017 was the fifth year in a row that the UNH women won the America East Cross-Country Championship title. I had low expectations coming into that fall season because my summer training had been disrupted for a month by a bout with Lyme disease. I surprised myself in that race by placing second (quite a ways) behind Elle Purrier. Although I am proud of all of our AEC titles, that was the one I felt I best contributed to and felt equally proud of our team and my individual performance. That race was in St. Albans, Vt., and afterwards we all went to Elle's farm to celebrate.

How much do you run now, if at all?

Running without the compulsory motivation of a competitive season of racing is something I haven't experienced in nearly a decade. When the spring season first got cancelled, I had fun playing with higher mileage and going for longer runs. Now I'm giving myself a little bit of a mental break and trying to figure out what running will look like for me going forward. Running has been a part of my lifestyle for so long, I know that I will always come back to it.

Allen Lessels
@UNHInsider
Allen.Lessels@unh.edu

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