I am 14 years old and a 8th grader at North Oldham Middle School, Goshen, KY. I have been running Cross Country since the 2nd grade and doing road races since the 3rd grade. When I started Cross Country me and my family didn't know much about the sport, but we all quickly fell in love with it. When my school XC season is over I continue with a Club Team, Derby City Athletic Club, which trains me and the team to compete in the Coaches Cross Country Nationals and AAU Nationals. When XC is completely over for the season, I look forward to the many road races that are offered in Louisville and around Kentucky.
River City Races....
In 2014 my dad signed me up for the Polar Bear Grand Prix Races and I have been doing all three races ever since. These races are a great way to stay in shape in the winter and they are fun. No matter what the weather brings for these races, I am always prepared and ready to run! There are so many people out there and it makes me feel good that I am out there doing what I love to do too. River City Races are well organized, the system is accurate, and the results are usually posted quickly, plus they have cool medals, which is a good incentive to win or place top 3 in my age group. The different locations are always fun too. If it is running into the Stadium at the Dr. Ed Morgan/Kiwanis Grand Slam 4 Miler or running the quaint neighborhood at the St. Matthews Street Festival 5k Run/Walk, I enjoy them all.
My Favorite distances...
As of now my favorite distance is a 10k, which is the longest distance I have run in a race. My goal for next year is to complete the Triple Crown and hopefully do my 1st half, the Derby Half Marathon. After that I may have a new favorite distance.
My best advice...
If you love running, or have a favorite sport, never give up and stick with it. Hard work will help you get where you want to be and accomplish your goals. The most important thing is to make sure you love the sport and do it for yourself, not to please someone else. Having a mentor, coach, friend, work out buddy or someone who can help motivate you will make work outs more fun and push you to those goals. When I was in Elementary school there were runners who I really looked up to and wanted to run and be fast like them. I knew it would take a lot of hard work and I was willing to put the extra time and work in. When I started track in the Spring of 2014, my coach and now personal trainer, Jeff Vincent, with JV Pro Life and Fitness, helped me with my goals, my form, mental focus and how to stay healthy during any running season. He gives me confidence on running and what I can still achieve. Workouts are always tough, but I would not trade it for the world, because I LOVE TO RUN!!