(This story first published on husbison.com)
Joslyn Crosby's perfect escape is running with graceful strides through a vast, open field, bathed in golden sunlight and surrounded by autumn leaves turning crimson and amber.
The landscape, with its long shadows and crisp air, is the cozy office of the Howard University senior cross-country runner. As she kicks up small clumps of dirt, glides over puddles, and winds through the fields, Crosby finds peace in nature. Whether running, breaking records, or connecting with patients, she's always enjoying herself.
For Crosby, every moment is a blast.
"Some may look at running 40-50 miles a week as too many miles, and you may have too many blisters, but running has become a stress relief," Crosby said. "I enjoy running, and it takes your mind off everything. I enjoy the moments. With all the miles, you get time to enjoy the scenery and nature."
Cross-country has provided the perfect balance for the nursing major, who was born in Louisiana and lived in Ohio and Illinois before making her way to Howard. She's lived the majority of her life in Illinois. Crosby has enjoyed clinical opportunities at Howard's Hospital, the Psychiatric Institute of Washington, and Children's National Hospital. During her clinical, Crosby has spent time learning the nuances of the intensive care unit, talked to patients to put them at ease, and given injections on occasion, gaining valuable hands-on experience in the field of nursing.
"It was a good experience," Crosby said. "For a long time, I always wanted to go into something in the medical field. I like learning about the body and teaching other people. There were many nurses in my family, and I went into the field because of them. There've been many role models for me, and it's extraordinary to know that I can look to you if I need help."
Nursing and cross-country make Crosby's schedule demanding.
Her day starts at 5 a.m. with a two-hour practice, followed by six hours of classes, each lasting three hours. After class, she heads to her second practice of the day. Amid the daily whirlwind, Crosby still finds time to study. It's a grueling routine that the ever-cheerful Crosby genuinely enjoys, showcasing her resilience and determination.
"It's a tough balance," Crosby said. "I am just glad to have a coach that helps me and is understanding … My goal is to continue my education and get a doctorate in nursing. I want to work as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. The clinical rotations have been a lot of fun."
Crosby also finds joy and magic in volunteering. She's participated in a mental health 5K walk for an important cause, collected supplies for women, and participated in donation drives. These are meaningful moments for Crosby, who takes pride in making a difference in the lives of others.
"It's important to me because my family has always stressed the value of being able to give back to your community," Crosby said. "That's how they raised me. My family always gave away food and clothes, so I always volunteer when I can."
Even though she had always been fast, Crosby never imagined a life of regularly running significant miles. She started out as a soccer athlete before discovering her passion for running. After all, cross-country kept her in shape for track and competing at shorter and faster distances.
"I didn't get serious about cross-country until high school," Crosby said. "It was a lot of running, and I figured I could run until we did hell week. I remember waking up at 4 in the morning, and the warm-up was a mile long. I thought that was the workout, but I soon learned it wasn't even the workout for that day. I could not get out of bed after the first workout, but I stuck with it."
Crosby's parents, Anitra and Joshua, got her into cross-country.
It is a great move, as Crosby is concluding a fall to remember.
She has been named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Cross-Country Runner of the Week twice. Once after helping Howard to a second-place finish at the Mount 5K Duals on August 31 and then again after setting a program record during the 50th annual Paul Short Run on October 4.
Crosby finished in the top third while setting a new program record (21.27.80) in the women's college Gold 6K race. She shattered Jessica Neal's previous 18-year benchmark (2006, 21:46.00) and holds the fastest mark in the MEAC for the 2024 season, a significant achievement in her career, making her a strong contender to win the MEAC Cross-Country championships.
She won the 2024 Delaware State University (DSU) Invite, hosted by the Lady Hornets, in Smyrna, Delaware, earlier this year in 18:21.10.
Crosby capped the season by winning 1st place in this year's MEAC championship held at DSU on November 2nd. Her time of 17:15.1 set both a conference and school record
When Crosby isn't running, practicing, attending classes, or studying, she plays video games, writes, and reads. She loves staying at home and spending time with her family when possible.
"I became a long-distance runner and never stopped," Crosby said. "I am lucky because cross-country gave me a chance to come to Howard … Cross-country has helped me to learn to trust the process with things, and I am doing it. It's exciting to be hitting the paces at times I've set for myself. Cross-country has made me trust myself and stay positive. It's helped me out a lot.
