A Love for Learning and Running

A Love for Learning and Running Students Smith College senior Lyda Martin is a powerhouse on the track and in the classroom BY BARBARA SOLOW Published April 16, 2026 Lyda Martin ’26 isn’t afraid of doing hard things. Whether it’s running a record-breaking race or completing an English honors thesis, she is up for the challenge. During her time on Smith’s Cross Country and Track and Field teams, Martin—who is captain of both teams—says she has come to view athletic competition more as “a privilege” than a pressure point. “I’ve realized that race performances are actually just demonstrations of work…