Senior
Who do you look up to as an inspiration to your running?
I don't look up to one person in particular. Instead, I get my inspiration from the people I am surrounded by. At school, I am inspired by the hard work that my team puts in every day. At home, my parents inspire me to be my best with words of encouragement when something doesn't go as planned. Also, I have a board in my room that I hang up all of my achievements to remind myself how far I've come over the past few years.
Up to this point in your running career, what has been your most memorable moment?
One race that I will never forget is the indoor state meet of my freshman year. Being one of the smallest runners in the race, I was already intimated by my older competitors. When the race started, I tripped and fell on the first lap. I knew I needed to get back up in front because if not the pack would go without me. Long story short, I did what I needed to do and won my first state title of my career. I won't ever forget the moment of climbing onto the middle of the podium still in shock of what had happened.
You are projected to do very well this upcoming year. What do you do in order to stay grounded and focused on achieving your goals?
For me, I find it best to take the season one day at a time. Looking at the big picture is hard for me to imagine. But if I take my training one day at a time and focus on what I need to get done that day, everything should fall into place. The days eventually turn into weeks, and soon enough it will be time to make one last trip to Natchitoches.
If you only had one song to listen to before your race, which would it be?
A favorite of mine and my teammates is "Hall of Fame" by The Script.
What is your favorite workout?
One workout that I always have enjoyed is a good fartlek. My team did one this past Thursday, and it reminded me of why I love it so much. I like running distance, and this workout puts together both the speed and the endurance that I need to train. We usually do a fartlek at least once a week.
Are you interested in running after high school and if so, what are you looking for a in school in order to determine if it is the right fit for you?
Yes, I am interested in running in college. I have not decided what school yet, but I will be looking forward to finding a cross country and track program that I can achieve success as a team and individually.
What meets are you looking forward to the most this year?
I am excited to run at the John Curtis season opener because it's the first time that my team and I will be attending. But other than that I am looking forward to the meets later on in the season with cooler weather!
What is your pre-meet or pre-race routine that you like to follow?
The day before a meet, I like to get in an easy run followed by strides. One of my favorite pre-race meals to eat is spaghetti and meatballs (my mom's specialty).
How many days a week do you run?
I usually run six days a week. I like to take one day to rest or cross train if necessary. I really enjoy biking and swimming when I'm not running.
And lastly, what food do you crave most after a hard workout or a race?
After a hard workout, I usually crave something cold and sweet. I frequently indulge in fruit and chocolate milk. After a hard race, I always crave one thing... Blue bell ice cream! (Too bad it's not available at the moment.)
