Isaac Green stunned both Colorado cross country and track and field as a freshman. His accomplishments on the year included a second in the open race at Nike Cross Regionals, a 4th at state in the 1600, and a 3rd at state in the 800. Photo by Ashley Green.
Interview with Monarch (CO) sophomore Isaac Green
Tell us a little about when and how you got started in running. What was it that got you pulled in?
I started running last year for cross country. The only time I had run before that was in middle school track. Initially nothing about the sport except the pasta dinners pulled me in. After a little bit of running I started to enjoy it not because of the running but because of the guys I was with. I think the only reason I kept going to practice and trying was just to talk with these guys and have a good time.
Your mother was a cross country coach for several years and your older sister Claire an accomplished runner before you got into high school. How big of a factor did these roles play in you becoming a cross country and track runner?
My entire life I have been going to meets, pasta dinners, and other various running related events so it was a pretty big part of my life. So those factors definitely swayed me toward the sport.
Was there a race or a moment in your freshman cross country season where the light went on in your head and you realized something special was going on?
I’m not completely sure which race this was but I hadn’t really done anything good yet in a race up till this point... I was just coming up on my friend Ben Hogan, who I had never actually seen before in a race, so when I got to him we were running by a hose that was misting the course so I jumped in front of it. At that point I thought, “Something weird is going on, I’m running and enjoying it?!?!” That’s when it clicked.
You ran a 16:12 at Nike Cross Southwest last fall under marginal conditions. Was that something you ever dreamed of at the beginning of the season?
I never really thought I would break 16:40, but I did and when that happened I just thought, “If I think I can’t do it I won’t … but if I think I can do it I won’t fail,” so I just kept pushing with that in mind. And I guess it worked
In track, you focus pretty much exclusively on the 800 and 1600, much shorter distances than the cross country 5K. How do you transition your training between the end of cross country season and the beginning of track season?
I didn’t run at all during the winter. I was on the basketball team, but I got a knee injury and I could barely walk for a couple weeks. As it got better I was just trying to get back to basketball. So I guess to answer your question I just didn’t train for running at all during the winter.
If you had to choose, which would it be--cross country or track?
I would choose track.
If you had to pick a most rewarding moment in cross country or track of your freshman year, what would that be?
Getting the school record in the 4X8 with Parker Sitton, Chay Weaver, and Tyger Roch at Liberty Bell.
Are there any particular goals in mind for the cross country season ahead that you're willing to share with us?
I really want the team to qualify for NXN.
Tell us a little about the other sides of Isaac Green. What are your favorite classes in school and your favorite spare-time activities?
My favorite sport is basketball, and I play it whenever I can. When I’m not playing basketball, I’m either at my house, with the XC guys, or my friend Nate Johnson. During the summer I swim competitively and play for the Colorado Titans basketball team.
