Danielle Shanahan, a Loyola Marymount graduate and professional athlete for HOKA ONE ONE Northern Arizona Elite, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss her return Dec. 5 to California to compete in the women's 10,000 meters at the Sound Running Track Meet. Shanahan, who ran the 5-kilometer anchor leg Oct. 21 for the victorious Northern Arizona Elite team at the Michigan Pro Ekiden mixed relay, will be competing in her first track race since Dec. 7, 2019 when she clocked a personal-best 15:26.91 in the 5,000 at an indoor meet at Boston University. She shares the benefits of training with Kellyn Taylor, Stephanie Bruce and Lauren Paquette, all sub-32 performers in the 10,000, and the magnitude of all four athletes competing together in the same race. Shanahan reflects on her cross country performances in the past year, finishing fifth Dec. 14 at the USATF Club Championships in Pennsylvania and sixth Jan. 18 at the USATF National Championships in San Diego, along with representing the U.S. at the Pan American Cup in Canada and then returning to Flagstaff before the Coronavirus pandemic began to restrict international travel. She also revisits recovering from hamstring and foot injuries earlier in the year, but has remained optimistic following one of the most consistent stretches of training during her career entering this race. Shanahan also talks about her roles working as the executive director's assistant and helping in donor management for the Boys and Girls Club of Flagstaff, and how the organization has adapted to continue to serve its community during the pandemic.