MileSplit - How is your fitness now that you are in the middle of the 2013 season. What excites you the most about the rest of the season and what you want to accomplish?
Elijah - I feel very strong in my fitness I’m able to keep my miles and my intensity up right now! My number one goal is to stay healthy, but I definitely what to go for my third state xc championship, and have a better post season then I did last year!
MileSplit - You had a strong finish at the Nike Pre-Nationals meet to finish 2nd. How do you feel about your competitiveness this year and where that might lead you?
Elijah - Well I wasn’t too happy about my performance at Nike Pre! I still need to work on my competitiveness a little, but once I get that down I’m excited to see what happens!
MileSplit - What type of courses play to your strengths, and when do you think you might have a break out performance?
Elijah - I like most all xc courses unless they’re really flat and have great deal of pavement! I’m always trying to train hard, but hopefully my post season meets will play to my advantage!
MileSplit - When & how did you get started in cross country?
Elijah - Well as a sixth grader my dad said he would buy me a pair of these shoes I wanted if I ran the mile against the eighth graders and win! So I ran and won, and ever since then I started xc and track!
MileSplit - Person/people most influential to your success in cross country and why?
Elijah - My dad and really all of my family! They have always supported me and helped me in any way they can!
MileSplit - Who has influenced you the most so far in your life and what they mean to you and your success?
Elijah - My dad (aka my coach) he is the reason I’m where I am today! He’s always finding ways to help my brother and I improve, not only does he coach us he is out there doing almost everything he has us do, that’s why he has influenced my life soooo greatly!
MileSplit - What are the keys to your successful cross country training program and what work did you put in to start off so well this year?
Elijah - I think the key is to make sure I have good quality running in as well as a healthy diet, and hopefully, if school allows it, plenty of rest! I tried for my post season to make my miles not just high but quality I also believe core training is an essential part of my success!
MileSplit - What are the keys to your team's unity and how you train to reach your goals?
Elijah - I love my team and we always try to work hard together, and this year it’s even more fun because my younger brother Malachi is on it!
MileSplit - Your favorite past performance in a cross country race and why?
Elijah - My freshmen year I really started to improve, but there is one race that stands out! Which is the 2011 xc state championship, I trained harder than I ever had at that point and was able to beat the defending state champion!
MileSplit - Who are the cross country competitors you most enjoy competing against and why?
Elijah - Me personally I love to compete against the nations Elites such as: John Dressel, Joe Hardy, Kia Wilmot, Blake Haney, Tanner Anderson, but I could go on! The reason I love competing against these amazing runners is the fact we all respect one another and we all run that much faster together!
MileSplit - What is your greatest non-running experience in cross country so far and why?
Elijah - Probably when these girls from Bingham high school (Utah) came up to me and my brother and gave us each a note that read (We just wanted to let you know you are extremely attractive, and try to be earthly friendly and reuse this note). I think it’s pretty self-explanatory why this is the greatest non-running experience so far!
MileSplit - Do you have any long-term goals in running?
Elijah - Yes I definitely want to run for a D-1 college and some day run at the international level!
MileSplit - What was your favorite performance from the 2013 World Champs?
Elijah - Watching my fellow Idahoan Nick Symmonds get out and lead the 800m and almost win the gold!
The Fun Run
What music do you rock while working out…
Elijah - I don’t rock to music while working out the head phones always get in my way!
Do you like to run in the mud or the grass…
Elijah - Are you kidding mud sucks!
Do you hang out on Facebook or Twitter...
Elijah - I have a Facebook, but I would much rather hang out with an attractive girl or my family!
(Editor's note: Any arguments?... Nah didn't think so!)
Do you like going out or chilling at home...
Elijah - Chilling at home.
What gear is your favorite while running...
Elijah - As long it’s comfortable and functional I don’t care what I run in!
