* Pennsylvania's Sophia (left) and Victoria (right) Rodriguez are top competitors at the Bermuda Track Challenge this weekend
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This part of the season has been a busy time for Victoria and Sophia Rodriguez.
Last Wednesday, Sophia finished third in the junior mile at the Brooks PR Invitational and then the 'World record-breaker' smashed her own previous 14-year-old World age group 2-mile record on Saturday evening at Nike Outdoor Nationals with a 10:12.33 for sixth in the girls championship division.
In Eugene, Victoria finished as the top underclassman in the 2K steeplechase championship final with a 6:52.76 for fourth overall.
The standout runners from Dallastown, Pennsylvania are closing out their outdoor seasons at the Bermuda Track Challenge this weekend in the 800m and 1,500m.
Before the competition begins, the Rodriguez sisters shared some insight into their running relationship and what they're looking forward to on the island.
* Sophia and Victoria Rodriguez share insight on their 2023 season ahead of the Bermuda Track Challenge
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MileSplit: How would you describe how your season is going so far?
Sophia: The season has gone very well. I was thinking back to last year and how I only ran one post-season race at New Balance Nationals Outdoor in the 5K. Now I realize how much stronger I've gotten so that I'm able to take on these opportunities. They have been so much fun!
Victoria: I would say my season is going fairly well so far. At the start, I had certain goals that I wanted to reach, and although I didn't get some of them, I still am very proud of how my season has gone so far.
MileSplit: What are you looking forward to accomplishing at the Bermuda Track Challenge?
Sophia: The atmosphere of running outside of the country and getting treated so well at a resort, enjoying everything and ending the season on a good note.
Victoria: I'm looking forward to running an official 1,500m time because I haven't run a 1,500m yet. So, I'm looking forward to being able to get down a time for that event.
MileSplit: What made you decide to compete internationally at the Bermuda Track Challenge this year?
Sophia: The newness with an opportunity to run outside of the States on an island, plus I've never been to Bermuda.
Victoria: I didn't know Bermuda was a thing until my parents told us we were going to Bermuda this summer and that we were racing there. So it was kinda just a thing that I decided to go along with and I'm really excited for the opportunity.
MileSplit: When it comes to your training, what have you been focusing on leading into the championship part of the season?
Sophia: I've been focusing on building on workouts and getting stronger, along with visualizing how I want the race to go.
Victoria: I really have been focusing more on speed training at the end of my season, I already have the base and now it's just about being able to use the speed and execute it in a race.
* The Rodriguez family prepares for the Bermuda Track Challenge
Photo Credit: Shawn Conlon / MileSplit
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MileSplit: Sophia, you've competed in multiple national-level meets, including Nike Indoor Nationals, adidas Indoor Nationals, Penn Relays, Brooks PR Invitational, and Nike Outdoor Nationals throughout the 2023 season. What has been your biggest takeaway this year as you've lined up amongst the best of the best?
Sophia: My biggest takeaway is once I get on the line, I should be ready for the race, to give it my best and compete with all the girls, no matter who they are. I want to perform and see where it takes me.
MileSplit: What's it like competing with your sister? How do you two push each other on and off the track?
Sophia: I enjoy my sister's company maybe a little too much, but I do get very competitive when running with her, even if it's an easy run. It forms our relationship and it is fun.
Victoria: It's very fun competing with my sister and we're always there for each other. I think we push each other by just having each other there and by knowing what we've run. It motivates us to keep going and trying to get better.
MileSplit: What's one thing you're looking forward to doing in Bermuda?
Sophia: I'm looking forward to an all-inclusive resort and swimming in the water with little fishies.
Victoria: One thing I'm looking forward to in Bermuda is overall the resort and the beaches. I'm also looking forward to being able to relax after the meet and spend time with my family.
* Sophia Rodriguez is having fun doing her shakeout in Bermuda
Photo Credit: Shawn Conlon / MileSplit
