Elise burst on the scene with a huge mile win at NBNI, now a star after her stellar spring. (Photo by Pat Montferrat)
MileSplit - How is your fitness as you begin the 2013 season. What excites you most about the coming year of HS XC?
Elise - Overall, my fitness is great. I have been building a strong base. I am very excited about my team. We have a lot of great girls this year and I am excited for a high finish at state as a team. I am also really excited for the post season Nike race. They are always so much fun!
MileSplit - After finishing 7th last year at the muddy Nike course and then running a 4:40 indoor mile and 4:47 1600m at altitude this spring, what are your plans for this season?
Elise - My plans are to better my performances this year. I have had good consistent training and am excited to race. I am also going to focus on qualifying for NXN and placing higher at NXN this year.
MileSplit - When & how did you get started in cross country?
Elise - I played soccer from kindergarten through eighth grade. I have been running and triathlon races my whole life because my parents have participated. I tried track in sixth grade and I loved it, even though my events were hurdles and long jump Eventually I began to run the mile in track and I enjoyed it. When I was in eighth grade I ran cross country for the first time and liked it even better than track. That was the turning point for me and as I started high school and wanted to be involved in a sport I joined cross country.
MileSplit - Person/people most influential to your success in cross country and why?
Elise - Jason Hartmann has been most influential to my success in cross country. He has always been there for me. Through good and bad races, Jason has continued to give me unwavering support and he always believes in me. He has taught me the importance of racing confidently and he has taught me how to be patient.
MileSplit - Who has influenced you the most so far in your life and what they mean to you?
Elise - My parents have influenced me the most so far in my life. They have kept me grounded and they support me in and out of running. They make sure I am running because I enjoy it and not because I "have to." They mean the world to me and I would not have the life that I have without their love, support, and encouragement.
MileSplit - What are the keys to your successful cross country training program?
Elise - Consistency.
MileSplit - What are the keys to your team's unity and how you train to reach your goals?
Elise - We have great team unity because we support each other. All the girls want the best for their teammates. I can train to reach my goals because I can work hard and have fun with my teammates. It also makes it easier to train when you have a team working toward a common goal.
MileSplit - Your favorite past performance in a cross country race and why?
Elise - 2012 4A Colorado State Cross Country Championship because I had almost given up, but I was able to come back. It is my favorite performance because I found a gear I didn't realize I had.
MileSplit - Who are the cross country competitors you most enjoy competing against and why?
Elise - Katie Rainsberger because she is incredibly tough and she pushes me to my limits. She is also a lot of fun and super nice.
MileSplit - What is your greatest non-running experience in cross country so far and why?
Elise - My greatest non-running experience happened during cross country my sophomore year. My teammates and I were driving down to the state meet in a van and we were blasting the song "I'm Sexy and I Know It." We sang and laughed so hard. It was a great time!
MileSplit - What are your goals for the 2013 cross country season?
Elise - My goals are to win the Colorado State Meet, qualify for NXN, and improve on my 7th place finish from last year.
MileSplit - Do you have any long-term goals in running?
Elise - Yes, I would love to run in college and qualify for the NCAA meet.
MileSplit - What was your favorite performance from the 2013 World Champs?
Elise - Jenny Simpson winning the silver medal in the 1500.
The Fun Run
What music do you rock while working out…
Elise - I don't run to music, but I like listening to country music and Eminem.
Do you like to run in the mud or the grass…
Elise - Mud is more exciting.
Do you hang out on Facebook or Twitter...
Elise - Facebook, I don't have a twitter.
Do you like going out or chilling at home...
Elise - Chilling at home.
What gear is your favorite while running...
Elise - I like running in the Nike Breeze Tanks.
