Depending on whom you ask, Jon Bell could be considered the head coach of two teams: cross country and track.

This would not do him justice, however. Coach Bell, in fact, is the head of six separate teams: both men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s outdoor track, and men’s and women’s indoor track.

One of the nuances of collegiate running is the separate track seasons designated as indoor and outdoor. Though there is no distinguishing between the goal of indoor and outdoor track, there are many technical differences that are unique to the indoor version.

While indoor is usually considered as merely preparation for the outdoor season, Bell explains that indoor is a different sport entirely. Aside from the obvious fact that indoor is held indoors, the season has different events for runners.

This has implications for the hurdlers as much as anyone. Instead of the outdoor standard race of 100-meter hurdles, this distance is reduced to 60 meters indoors.

The indoor arenas also mean that there is no room for certain field athletes; longer throws like the javelin and hammer throws are omitted because of space restrictions.

One distinction that all runners must adjust to is that the events take place on a 200-meter track, as opposed to the traditional 400-meter surface used for the outdoor season. The environment presents unique challenges as well, with runners citing tighter turns and narrower lanes.

Even so, sophomore distance runner Stanley Donahoo still thinks the intensity level of indoor track is lower than that of outdoor.

“Indoor is more personal. Your teammates and fans are closer, everything is just scaled down.It’s like outdoor track magnified and scaled down at the same time,” Donahoo said.

Long distance runners (most of whom also run cross country during the fall) mostly prefer outdoor running.

“It’s more exciting to be in the outdoor element, and every course is different. It plays to a different person’s strength [because] we run on everything,” Donahoo said.

But not everybody would agree with Donahoo.

“The people that really like indoors are field people, because they don’t have to deal with wind. Indoor is fun because they don’t have to worry about the elements,” Bell said.

Considering the cold weather right now, SLU’s indoor track athletes should be thankful for their break from the elements. Their next test will be Jan. 24 at the Eastern Illinois University Mega Meet.