Not Running From Hard Work Nipp’s Extra Effort Pays Off On Track

Coeur d’Alene track coach Bryan Duncan finds himself in an odd predicament when it comes to the workout schedule for Brenda Nipp.

Although the role of a coach is to push the athlete to succeed, Duncan often hears himself telling the intense Nipp to slow down.

“She’s one of those girls that if you don’t put the reins on her, she’ll overtrain,” Duncan said.

Nipp’s hard work over the past three years has paid off. She placed second at state in the 400 meters last year as a sophomore, and her times this season are already close to the 58.4 seconds she ran at state. The 400 - feared by many runners - is Nipp’s favorite.

Duncan feels it is the race that a team is built around.

“It’s a controlled sprint and if someone can successfully run it, then they can run any sprint or relay,” Duncan said.

Nipp feels the key to the race is in the mind.

“It’s totally mental toughness,” Nipp said. “Because of the mix of corners and straightaways you have to know how your body feels and stay focused on the race.”

Nipp is a student of the sport. Much of her knowledge comes from growing up around the track. Her father Dan, who coaches at Post Falls High, has been a track coach her whole life.

When she was 2, Dan would hold her by the arms as she ran. That helped her take long strides that developed her fast-twitch muscles. Her father helped her, Brenda said, but Dan never pushed her to become a track athlete.

“It was natural for me to go into track because I love to run,” Nipp said. “I’m a very competitive person and being around the track growing up made running my sport.”

Nipp began competing in all-comers events when she was 6. Because there was no youth track team in Coeur d’Alene, she had to develop the self-motivation that serves her well. Her father said that when the family would go camping when Brenda was young, she would run in the woods to stay in shape.

“I’ve always tried to help her develop as a runner, but she’s the one that puts in all the hard work,” Dan said. “She’s an achiever, so if she does something, she does it as well as she can.”

Although Nipp is the dominant quarter-miler in the area, she said there is always room for improvement. To that end, Nipp does a lot of speed work and form drills. She also began running the 100 and 200 again after not focusing on the events last year.

Nipp said that every motion in the 100 counts, because any mistake can take the runner out of the race. The 200, though, helps her run corners better.

“I’m happy with what I’ve done this year, but I’m not exactly where I’d like to be as far as times go,” Nipp said.

Brenda’s father has helped develop some of the best athletes in the area, and she saw what it would take to attain success. She admired the work that former Post Falls track standout Ian Waltz put into the sport, and Dan sees that same work ethic in Brenda.

“She’s not like a lot of kids that just get by,” he said. “She’s willing to put out the effort she needs to do well. I’ve never seen her dog it because she knows what it takes to be great.”

Despite the individual success Nipp has achieved, she enjoys the team aspect of the sport. Duncan said that although she isn’t vocal, her hard work sets an example the team can follow. Open races don’t make Nipp nearly as anxious as the 4x400 relay, which she anchors.

“It’s stresses me out,” Nipp said of the relay. “Running the anchor leg forces you to watch the first three laps, but it really shows how much the team means.”

As regionals and state approach, Nipp will need to score a lot of points for the Vikings girls to compete. She concentrates more on her times than placing, so Nipp said she doesn’t want to predict where she’ll place at state.

It’s a safe bet that her father feels she’s one of the favorites.

“Ever since she was a little girl, she worked until she was tired,” he said. “She’s not willing to just get halfway done and that’s why she’ll succeed. It’s also one of the reasons I’m so proud of her.”