Track Chats - Zach Perrin

2012 Track Chats

Sep 25, 2012

Perrin going sub-9 for the first time at Arcadia last spring. (Photo by Margot Kelly)

MileSplit - You look quite fit for the beginning of the season. What excites you most about your last year of HS XC?

Zach - It's so motivating coming into the season and realizing that it will be the last time you will get to run at a lot of these courses, I just want to make sure I do as much as I can so people will remember my efforts after I graduate.

MileSplit - You were 47th in the Foot Locker West regional last year and the 20th returner this year. Is qualifying for nationals something you are shooting for this season?

Zach - Definitely!!! I'm super excited for Foot Locker West this year and I feel like coming into the race this year I will have a much better perspective and idea of how to run and train for that race.

MileSplit - When & how did you get started in cross country?

Zach - My mom entered my brother and I in a 1 mile fun run when I was 10 and it progressed from there... I'm fortunate to have parents that participate in the sport as well and have run with me from a very early age.

MileSplit - Person/people most influential to your success in cross country?

Zach - Too many people to name!!! I have been so blessed in my life to have met so many wonderful people and to have such great coaches and a great family that continue to support me each and every day!

MileSplit - Your cross country coach(es) and what they mean to you and your success?

Zach - My coaches mean the world to me! I would like to say thank you to my coaches Paul Jorgenen, Jesse Rumsey and Lew Grossman for staying with me throughout the years and going out of their way to make sure I have the best opportunities that our sport has to offer.

MileSplit - Keys to your successful cross country training program?

Zach - The main thing is making sure you stay consistent and keep track of what you are doing. Write things down!!! Make sure to keep a training log and write down goals before the season starts.

MileSplit - What are the keys to your team's unity and how you train to reach your goals?

Zach - I am lucky to say that a lot of my best friends are on the cross country team, this makes it so much easier to train and race when you are along side some of your closest friends. Also I think that establishing a common goal before the season starts pertaining to what we want to accomplish as a whole, unites the team and makes our common bond even stronger.

MileSplit - Your favorite performance in a cross country race?

Zach - I can't think of any races I have had that have been extremely break through for me yet in cross country. I was happy to break 15 the last two weeks in a row though.

MileSplit - Cross country competitors you most enjoy competing against?

Zach - Troy Fraley and Adam Peterman, they are two of the most underappreciated distance runners in the nation that both live in Montana as well. I'm really excited to race against them this season and if you are a collegiate coach looking for some first class runners that are off the radar, look no further than these two!!

MileSplit - Goals for the 2012 cross country season?

Zach - Qualify for Foot Locker Nationals.

MileSplit - Long-term goals in running for you?

Zach - I just want to take care of my body now, so that I can continue to enjoy the sport for the rest of my life! I love the feeling I get from running and I want to make sure I can continue to experience that in further years.

MileSplit - Olympic hero from this summer?

Zach - I loved the way that Mo Farah competed this year! He has definitely established himself as one of the greatest runners ever.