Switching gears, Laura Mitic stuffs her running cleats into her backpack and opens her fiddle case.

B次元官网网址淭his is Grandma,B次元官网网址� she explains as she strums a maritime tune.

B次元官网网址淕randma got that name because itB次元官网网址檚 the oldest instrument in our band.B次元官网网址�

MiticB次元官网网址檚 voice has a texture to it that makes you want to hear her sing, which she does along with playing fiddle and flute in the five-piece band Carmanah. SheB次元官网网址檚 also in her fifth and final year as a University of Victoria Vikes cross-country and track athlete.

It makes for an interesting life. Mitic, 22, joins the Vikes at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport championships held on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City on Saturday (Nov. 12). When they return, pretty much the entire team plans to see Carmanah open up for local act Jon and Roy at Sugar Nightclub on Nov. 18.

Mitic puts Grandma back in its case, citing cold weatherB次元官网网址檚 affect on the tune of the strings.

B次元官网网址淚 think I was the black sheep of this team when I started as a 17 year old,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淣ot many coaches would put up with me (the way Brent Fougner and Keith Butler) have.B次元官网网址�

Diverse in her pursuits, Mitic will leave UVic with a history major and minor in environmental studies. With so little flexibility in her schedule, Mitic has had to make sacrifices.

This year she skipped the summerB次元官网网址檚 outdoor track season B次元官网网址渢o see what Carmanah could do.B次元官网网址� They worked on a more professional sound to get radio and festival attention. And theyB次元官网网址檝e played many of the local festivals such as the Song and Surf and Tall Tree, both in Port Renfrew, as well as Rock of the Woods in Bamberton and others.

Just last weekend Mitic and Carmanah were recording at a studio in Cowichan Lake, as the band is fully active.

Her lighter training over the summer will directly affect how she does on the historic Quebec City plains, says her coach.

It was MiticB次元官网网址檚 training throughout the 2010 summer season that eventually won her a second team All Canadian, eighth overall at last yearB次元官网网址檚 cross country championships, he added.

B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 even know if IB次元官网网址檇 come back to the team this year,B次元官网网址� Mitic admits. B次元官网网址�(Coach) Fougner understands that I have two passions and I was able to come back, even if itB次元官网网址檚 not going to be my best season.B次元官网网址�

But Fougner said Mitic is doing exactly what student-athletes should. Athletics should be part of a balance in life.

B次元官网网址淚 told her to go out and tour (with her band), and said B次元官网网址榣et me know if you want to come back.B次元官网网址� She has an awesome voice. We know she has this other life.

B次元官网网址淭hen she had to work hard to make it back this fall and sheB次元官网网址檚 going in as our fifth runner instead of our first or second.B次元官网网址�

Growing up in Halifax, MiticB次元官网网址檚 ear for music was expected. Her talent for running wasnB次元官网网址檛.

B次元官网网址淔iddling was in the blood. Running I got into myself. I went out in Grade 3 and to my surprise and everyone elseB次元官网网址檚, won the race. Smallest kid in the class.B次元官网网址�

Her family relocated to Vancouver Island when she was two but returned for plenty of summers back in the maritimes. While here, Mitic joined the Victoria Track and Field Club and ran for Claremont secondary, winning silver at the Island cross country in her senior year.

During next semesterB次元官网网址檚 indoor season Mitic will return to her track specialties, the 1,500-metre and 3-km.