MileSplit - How is your fitness as you begin the 2013 season. What excites you most about the coming year of HS XC?
Katie - My fitness over the summer got increasingly better, so I feel very prepared coming into this season compared to other seasons. I went to a couple running camps and a soccer regional tournament, so I feel more fit then I ever have at the beginning of a season. I am extremely excited to try and return to Nike Nationals this year. I had an amazing first experience last year, and I really hope to expand on that this year again.
MileSplit - After competing very successfully at Nike last year and putting up solid track times at altitude this spring, what are your plans for this season?
Katie - My plans for this season include breaking 17min in the 5K, but most importantly running to my full potential. I need to focus on my own race, and keep working towards fulfilling my own expectations.
MileSplit - When & how did you get started in cross country?
Katie - I started running cross country in seventh grade to stay fit for club soccer, and my mom was a very successful runner and swimmer so I’ve always been very athletic. Since the school didn’t offer soccer, my friends and I gave cross country a shot!
MileSplit - Person/people most influential to your success in cross country and why?
Katie - My mother is my motivation, because I plan to do what she was so close to achieving. She worked so hard to go to the Olympics, but was fourth (at the Trials), three times. She pushes me on the days I’m unwilling to work and reminds me what I’m working for.
MileSplit - Who has influenced you the most so far in your life and what they mean to you and your success?
Katie - I would have to say there have been several influential people in my life, but after reading Hope Solo’s book and hearing the struggles she overcame to become a professional soccer player I consider her my inspiration. Every time I want to back off or quit I remember how she pursued her dreams and I find more self-motivation.
MileSplit - What are the keys to your successful cross country training program?
Katie - We include several key speed days to enhance and build finishing speed. Short and fast is always better than long and slow in our teams training. If I need to cut back the number of repeats in order to keep the interval on pace then that’s what we’ll do. Building speed is key early on, because mileage will come later in my career.
MileSplit - What are the keys to your team's unity and how you train to reach your goals?
Katie - Our team is like a family. We train and push each other on bad and good days. We work together to reach common goals and really care how one-another performs. We have team pasta parties before races, and try to keep the team together as much as possible, because it’s important to stick together.
MileSplit - Your favorite past performance in a cross country race and why?
Katie - My favorite past performance is most likely Nike Nationals in 2012. I came into the race very eager and positive. I’d never performed here before, and was excited by the whole experience. I started out strong, but slipped and fell in the never-ending mud lakes. When I got back up I was in around 40th, but found it somewhere within myself to keep pushing. By the end I found myself in 13th. Now that I know I can keep pursuing my competitors in bleak situations, it fuels my fire to return.
MileSplit - Who are the cross country competitors you most enjoy competing against and why?
Katie - I honestly enjoy competing against fellow Coloradians, Elise Cranny and Jordyn Colter, because they are some of the best competition out there. They race hard and leave it out on the course, so win or lose you feel like you accomplished something after racing them.
MileSplit - What is your greatest non-running experience in cross country so far and why?
Katie - Well I had Kara Goucher over at my house for dinner one night, and hearing her stories and experiences was an experience I’ll never forget.
MileSplit - What are your goals for the 2013 cross country season?
Katie - My goals include breaking 17 minutes in the 5k, returning to Nike, and finishing in the top 5 there.
MileSplit - Do you have any long-term goals in running?
Katie - I am planning on running post-collegiate, and following my mom’s pursuit in the Olympics.
MileSplit - What was your favorite performance from the 2013 World Champs?
Katie - I have followed Jenny Simpson since her previous win at Worlds and was extremely happy in her finish this year in Moscow!
The Fun Run
What music do you rock while working out…
Katie - I love Miley Cyrus and Jay Z
Do you like to run in the mud or the grass…
Katie - The mud because it’s more fun.
Do you hang out on Facebook or Twitter...
Katie - Mostly twitter now-a-days
Do you like going out or chilling at home...
Katie - Going out with friends definitely.
What gear is your favorite while running...
Katie - I love to run in Nike Sports Bras
