Spring Break
The Daily OrangeInexperienced Ince transitions to life in America
By Maite De La Rosa
Posted: 10/25/04, 12:57 AM EST Section: Sports
When Candace Ince came to Syracuse, she had a cross country scholarship - but no cross country experience.
Ince ran track in her home country, Trinidad and Tobago, where her natural running talent was discovered at the age of 14.
"Having no experience at all," Ince said, "and performing well in the races I participated in surprised me that I could run so well. Immediately, I loved running."
Ince trained differently before coming to Syracuse. She worked on speed instead of running miles, and she had trouble getting used to running mileage.
At first, Ince not only had a problem adjusting to running cross country, but also living in the United States. When she first came to America, Ince was culturally shocked and found people's public speaking ways offensive.
In Trinidad and Tobago, people who swear in public get thrown in jail. When she heard people swearing at each other in America, she thought they were being rude and didn't understand that they were only joking around. She did not understand that it's common for people her age to swear.
She also had difficulty adjusting and getting used to American food.
"It's very oily compared to Trinidad and Tobago food," Ince said.
Ince's biggest struggles came between October and November of 2003, before coming to Syracuse. Ince discovered she had Compartment Syndrome, which involves the compression of nerves and blood vessels within an enclosed space, leading to impaired blood flow and nerve damage. Ince had surgery on her shins.
But now, Ince's main goal is to train for the 2008 Olympics.
"It's a dream I have always had," Ince said.
Ince wants to run the 800-meters in less than two minutes and the 1,500-meters in less than 4:10. In order to do this, Ince runs 50 miles a week and lifts weights.
Three other universities offered her scholarships, but Ince came to SU because of Syracuse cross country coach Jay Hartshorn's friendliness and kindness.
Ince ran track in her home country, Trinidad and Tobago, where her natural running talent was discovered at the age of 14.
"Having no experience at all," Ince said, "and performing well in the races I participated in surprised me that I could run so well. Immediately, I loved running."
Ince trained differently before coming to Syracuse. She worked on speed instead of running miles, and she had trouble getting used to running mileage.
At first, Ince not only had a problem adjusting to running cross country, but also living in the United States. When she first came to America, Ince was culturally shocked and found people's public speaking ways offensive.
In Trinidad and Tobago, people who swear in public get thrown in jail. When she heard people swearing at each other in America, she thought they were being rude and didn't understand that they were only joking around. She did not understand that it's common for people her age to swear.
She also had difficulty adjusting and getting used to American food.
"It's very oily compared to Trinidad and Tobago food," Ince said.
Ince's biggest struggles came between October and November of 2003, before coming to Syracuse. Ince discovered she had Compartment Syndrome, which involves the compression of nerves and blood vessels within an enclosed space, leading to impaired blood flow and nerve damage. Ince had surgery on her shins.
But now, Ince's main goal is to train for the 2008 Olympics.
"It's a dream I have always had," Ince said.
Ince wants to run the 800-meters in less than two minutes and the 1,500-meters in less than 4:10. In order to do this, Ince runs 50 miles a week and lifts weights.
Three other universities offered her scholarships, but Ince came to SU because of Syracuse cross country coach Jay Hartshorn's friendliness and kindness.
