Sage Hurta, a 2018 national champion in cross country and 2017 NCAA indoor distance medley relay title winner at Colorado, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss her return to competition for the first time since June 2019 after recovering from multiple tibia injuries, as the Buffaloes are scheduled to travel Jan. 29-30 to the Razorback Invitational at Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Ark. Hurta reflects on not having the opportunity to race indoors for Colorado since 2018, and how her focus this winter will be on the 800 meters, with the majority of the distance runners in the Buffaloes' program expected to compete in cross country. She reminisces about competing unattached in a pair of indoor races and five outdoor competitions during 2019, including a 2:00.99 effort in the 800 at the Music City Distance Carnival in Nashville that June, before suffering a tibial stress fracture that fall. Hurta reveals how a minor injury in the same tibia returned last year and the challenges of being able to rehabilitate and work on strenghtening exercises in her hip and feet during the pandemic. She shares how more biking and cross training has been incorporated into her workouts since the summer, and how those options have helped in her recovery. Hurta, a chemical and biological engineering major, examines her remaining academic requirements to not only earn her degree, but also a certificate in public health. She revisits the cancellation of the Division 1 Indoor Championships in March, along with the elimination of the NCAA spring outdoor season, and how that impacted her teammates, especially seniors Dani Jones, Makena Morley and Joe Klecker, who all decided to pursue professional careers and earned sponsorship opportunities during the summer. Hurta also analyzes what would be the dream women's DMR in Colorado history, including she and Jones and Jenny Simpson, who she still trains with in Boulder. Hurta expresses gratitude for Simpson being a friend and mentor during her career. She also speaks about her dogs Tucker and Minnie, who were both adopted in the past year.