Not even temperatures below 10 degrees and mounds of snow on the ground could keep freshman Maya Epstein from doing what she loves: running.

Epstein said she began to run in third grade when she was influenced by her older brothers and marathon-running mom. She began to really find her passion for running in fifth grade when it became a regular hobby for her.

“I started getting more serious, and I think it just became part of my routine,” said Epstein. “So, it wasn’t even a question. I just wanted to run.”

Epstein said her dedication for running propelled her to become the top runner on the cross country team this year. She had the fastest time for Glenbrook North in each meet in which she participated and made it to the sectional meet. With a three mile time of 18:37, Epstein set the third fastest freshman and eighth fastest overall record in GBN history. She hopes this success now carries over into the track season.

To prepare for track, Epstein said her weekly workouts consisted of running five days a week. Each day was either an “easy” run of four to six miles, a “long” run of eight miles, a tempo run or speed work. She tries not to let anything interfere with her workouts.

“Sometimes my parents tell me [it is] too cold to [run], but I still … go whenever possible,” Epstein said.

Epstein placed first in the 1600 meter run in the first meet of the indoor season at the New Trier Invite with a time of 6:01, and she nearly pulled off a come-from-behind victory while anchoring the 4×800 meter team, finishing in second place. Her individual time for the 800 meter run was 2:42.

In the second meet against Highland Park and Maine West, Epstein placed second in the 1600 meter run with a time of 5:52 and anchored the 4×800 meter team with a time of 2:44. She became the second female track runner in the past three years to break a six-minute mile.

Peggy Holecek, girls track and field assistant coach, said Epstein’s work ethic is the best quality that she brings to the team.

“She is, for sure, one of the hardest workers on our team,” said Holecek. “It’s her work ethic and willingness to compete hard.”

Epstein said this work ethic comes from her joy in seeing her hard work pay off.

“Running was just one of the first things in my life where I noticed that I could get results from working hard, and it was one of the first things I was good at,” said Epstein. “So, I just wanted to keep getting better.”

Junior Emma Cintado said having a talented runner like Epstein on the team helps all the runners by pushing her teammates to work harder.

“I think everyone kind of uses her as a gauge of where they should be,” Cintado said.

Epstein said her goals this year for indoor track are to break 5:40 for the 1600 meter run and break 2:35 for the 800 meter run. In addition, she also wants to try and run a 3200 meter run in under 12 minutes. Outdoor, she would like to break 5:30 for the 1600 meter run and make it as far as she can in regards to regionals, sectionals and state.

Overall, Epstein attributes her success in running to her mentality and passion for it.

“I can’t be anything less than the best,” said Epstein. “Now, it [is] kind of like I am almost addicted to running.”