The cross-country fanatic, known to the Wattpad-miniverse as TheBlueHoodie, has deigned this impromptu interview viable enough to be viewed by the general public.
Translation: The chick that this chapter is dedicated to loves running a whole heck of a lot, and she really really really wants to share it with the world.
Lines in italics are the questions, asked by yours (somewhat)truly, and the Miss Kante(TheBlueHoodie)'s answers are in bold.
*XC=Cross Country
(fair warning: ONE expletive)
...So, here we go! Enjoy, and next time you get a chance, try running to alleviate stress. It does some wonders, I'll tell you that. ANYWAY- first question!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How long have you been running?
I've been running since 8th grade. I didn't run freshman year of high school, but I started running again sophomore year.
Haha, I hated running back in 8th grade, but when I did XC* it was completely different from the running in 8th grade(intermural running). XC is a team oriented sport, and you get personal satisfaction and reward for your running. but 8th grade was just, for lack of a better term, bleh running. I only did it because my mom said I should.
What's the story behind your best win?
Ok, so... I haven't actually won any races throughout my running career. Alhough, I plan on making varsity next year. That's why I'm gonna train my ass off during outdoor and this summer season.
To win a race, you have to be able run like, 5 minute miles... I can't. It's ten times harder for me to reach that level, due to my asthma, and ankle problem.
Can you share the memory of your worst loss?
Oh.. it was a time trial. I had gotten so out of shape, because I hadn't run at all since sophomore year XC. I started junior year with times to be ashamed of... They were almost as bad as when I first started to run. Cringeworthy. >.<
____________________________________________________________
And now, TheBlueHoodie will share her great running secret:
I always keep half a piece of wrapped gum in the waistband of my spandex... And no, it doesn't get sweaty- contrary to popular belief. Jeez, it's SPANDEX people! It's made to repel sweat.
Now why do I do that, you ask? Because when I run, I get dehydrated, and it locks up my throat, which leads to breathing problems and asthma attacks. So when I need to, I pop the gum in my mouth and chew it until my mouth creates saliva and "un-dries" my throat... But sadly, I've run many a race without gum...never turned out well.
_____________________________________________________________
What's your training schedule like?
We run everyday after school, 2:45-5:00, and Saturday morning practices(usually from 8:00-10:00). The yearly schedule is complicatedly confusing. O.o
So, it's a cycle: XC --> Outdoor --> Summer --> XC
XC is split into the preseason and the season. The preseason starts early August(Aug 11th this year; also b4 school starts), and ends when the season starts(after the first 2 weeks of school). The season ends after States, which is usually really late October.
YOU ARE READING
How Long Is A Mile? ~ An Interview With A Cross Country Runner
Non-FictionHow Long Is A Mile? ~ An Interview With A Cross Country Runner On Her Running Obsession. Excerpt: "Level three, it's too easy. It's for people who have never run before. Level two is what I would do if I wanted to stay in JH. But I don't. So: level...