By S. Quinn DeJoy and J. Murrer

Oct. 14, 2015:  Last fall Bronxville's running prodigy, Mary Cain, headed off to the University of Portland, where she took on the dual challenge of being a college freshman and a dedicated professional athlete. 

It was a lot to take on at eighteen, and last winter Cain's running began to falter. During the 2015 indoor season, her time in the 1500m was a full ten seconds off her 2014 record-breaking pace of 4:04.62. At the Millrose Games in February, she finished 8th in the Wanamaker Mile, a race she had won in 2014. By May, multiple media sources were reporting that Cain had left the West Coast and returned home to Bronxville, leaving many to wonder about her future plans. 

Last week, on the webpage runmarycain.com, Cain posted an upbeat update. She is back in Bronxville, enjoying living at home with her family and taking classes at Fordham University, where she hopes to major in chemistry. Although now located on the East Coast, Cain is still a part of the Nike Oregon Project and is still coached by Alberto Salazar, but John Henwood, who worked with Cain during high school, will be overseeing her training here. The move back to Bronxville appears to have been good for Cain, who acknowledged she needed to make some adjustments. 

"After a disappointing year, I knew that I needed a change," wrote Cain. "For me, that meant returning home to New York (and its bagels) to where it all started. With 2016 being such an important year, it's a blessing to be able to, as my mom says, 'Go back to basics.'" 

So science major Mary Cecilia Cain, cleverly referred to as mC² on her webpage, is enjoying living at home-- eating Park Place bagels--and seems more than comfortable with her current situation. 

"Throughout my career, I always said the key to running well was keeping the sport fun," explained Cain. "With the help of this great NY running community, I am happy to say that I have that love again. I'm looking forward to a rewarding indoor and outdoor season." 

It's good to remember that Cain, who started her phenomenal running career down at the Bronxville High School track as a seventh-grader, could likely be competing with the best in the world at the 2016 Olympics. 

"Thanks to everyone who has supported me through the ups and downs," wrote Cain. "I hope to make 2016 a year to remember."

Pictured here:  Mary Cain (front) running the Wanamaker Mile at the 2014 Millrose Games at the New Balance Track and Field Center in New York.

Photo by J. Murrer