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?
Stephanie - I am very excited about how my season has gone so far! I have taken a different approach to my training this season and have been trying different strategies in my racing. I really am anxious to see how much time I can drop later in the season when I compete on the same courses as I did last year.
MileSplit - You have been competing in college/open races so far this year. Adidas, Roy Griak and now Dellinger. What is the thought behind this strategy, as you are only a sophomore in HS?
Stephanie - I wanted to pushed and see what my limits are. I usually train by myself so pushing myself to a certain time is a lot harder by myself than it is if you have somebody with you. Thankfully I am motivated so see what I am capable of during these races and that brings me my goals for training.
MileSplit - At Dellinger you had your best race yet, finishing ahead of some accomplished collegiate runners. What are your thoughts about that race and the experience of racing that level of competition?
Stephanie - I am so happy on the race this past weekend! I raced very well and learned a lot from it. I really enjoy racing against people who are faster than I am. I just tried to place as high and hang with the pack as long as I could, doing what my gut was telling me throughout the race.
MileSplit - When & how did you get started in cross country?
Stephanie - I did my first xc race when I was in 7th grade. I really enjoyed running when I was little and it has never eased throughout all these years.
MileSplit - Person/people most influential to your success in cross country and why?
Stephanie - My family. They are great support! My parents keep me in a good frame of mind when it comes to big races. They have traveled to all my races. My mom tells me how much my times are improving upon every workout session. She trusts me when it comes to making moves in races or just running in general.
MileSplit - Who has influenced you the most so far in your life and what they mean to you and your success?
Stephanie - Probably my teachers and my parents. They push me to excel in everything, especially my parents. My parents set many rules and taught me many things that I have decided to carry on. One thing I have carried on was that academics come before athletics. I get all my homework done before I run or if its not a lot I will run right after school to give me as much time as possible to do everything good and right. That has carried on in my athletics...quality over quantity:)
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?
Stephanie - I train for triathlons and I think the mixing up of activities and sports keep my running fresh.
MileSplit - What are the keys to your team's unity and how you train to reach your goals?
Stephanie - I am not running xc, but I am swimming for my school. The swim team is so great to be with! Whether we are at school, in practice, or whether I am running at an xc meet or swimming at a swim meet, everybody is supportive and so funny. Chad Derlein, my swim coach, has been so supportive and allowed me to miss a few swim meets to travel and run XC. He is very encouraging and cares about my run times as well as my swim times.
MileSplit - Your favorite past performance in a cross country race and why?
Stephanie - Dellinger, everything just came together. I learned a lot and know what I need to work on in the next few weeks so I can finish the season stronger than in past years.
MileSplit - Who are the cross country competitors you most enjoy competing against and why?
Stephanie - Wesley Frasier, she is so talented, humble and nice. She encourages you along the way.
MileSplit - What is your greatest non-running experience in cross country so far and why?
Stephanie - Since I started running collegiate xc meets this year, it has been fun to talk with the freshman college runners after the meet about their experiences in college!
MileSplit - Do you have any long-term goals in running?
Stephanie - I would love to run for a D1 school. I really love training hard and I would live to pursue running until I am no longer able. To reach my limits and seeing how fast I can get.
MileSplit - What was your favorite performance from the 2013 World Champs?
Stephanie - Mary Cain's 1500m race. All the tactics the athletes employed were very interesting to see how they played out. I learned a lot from that race.
The Fun Run
What music do you rock while working out…
Stephanie - Rap and some pop songs...definitely not jazz:)
Do you like to run in the mud or the grass…
Stephanie - MUD!!
Do you hang out on Facebook or Twitter...
Stephanie - Twitter all the way!
Do you like going out or chilling at home...
Stephanie - Depends on the day...if its a hard workout then probably going out but if its more of a recovery day I will chill at home:)
What gear is your favorite while running...
Stephanie - I like Adidas and Nike.
