Ethan Lemons from Vinemont won the 3A Section 4 race at James Clemens High School in15:29. We hear about the race and his running journey.
What was the goal yesterday and how do you feel you executed that goal?
I was mainly just trying to do my very best for my team so that we could qualify for State. Luckily we did. Anyway mainly that and just try to get a more solid seed time going into State. I thought I executed that well. It was good for both me and the team going into State.
How does it feel to be a part of the first Vinemont team to qualify for State?
It feels awesome. Vinemont has never really had a serious cross country team until now. We started off the season with a couple of hard workers and from there we improved drastically. Everyone had big goals at the beginning of the season and we've about checked them all off. I'm really proud to be part of a group of such hard workers
What got you into running?
So I used to be pretty serious about basketball so in order to get in shape I started to run. I eventually got in really good shape and my workout class coaches noticed and said I definitely had to go out for track. (Which I did) and I really loved the sport of running so from there I really flourished
You recently posted on IG that you committed to Alabama. What made you choose there?
They have a really well structured program with coaches that put your academics and you as a person before you as an athlete. Being a lifelong Bama fan, I've always felt at home every time I've walked onto the campus. I quickly realized that Alabama is the place that will help me maximize my growth as a student, person, and an athlete.
What do you plan on majoring in?
I plan on majoring in business, but don't know exactly what in business though.
Looking back over the entirety of your career, what's your favorite memory?
I have to say after a track meet when me and Coach Carie were doing a workout on the track and the people shut off the lights on us but I still managed to finish in the pitch black. I remember on my cool down after the workout all the stars that were out and it really reminded me of how vast and beautiful God's creation is. Definitely a core memory for me.
What's the hardest workout you've ever done?
I would have to say a broken 800m workout. We did a 200m, 300m, and 200m with a 1 minute rest between each rep and a 5 minute rest job between each set. I did 6 of these and I was dead at the end.
Who is your celebrity crush?
Probably Olivia Dunne.
Can you share about overcoming your injury the last few months?
So I had a stress reaction in my navicular. Hearing the news that I had a stress reaction really brought me down to earth. It was really discouraging but I still decided to cross train as hard as I could to stay in shape over the summer and thankfully it worked some. Super grateful to be back doing what I love.
What's your favorite course to race at?
Definitely the State course.
What's your pre race routine?
Around 4 1/2 hours before the race I'll chug some water and eat a plain bowl of oatmeal with a little honey. And usually the night before or the morning of, I'll meditate on the race and try to think of every single outcome possible to prepare myself for anything that could happen during the race.
Who is your favorite professional runner?
Probably Ryan Hall or Galen Rupp.
Who is an Alabama runner who you always look forward to duking it out with either on the course or on the track?
Ethan Edgeworth. Me and him always help push each other when it comes to the county championship or some regular season meet.
I know it's rare, but what do you do when you're not running?
Haha so I love to play pretty much any game/ sport that is competitive, love to fish, I love my job (I know that's strange), and be with friends and family.
What's your job?
I work at American Radworx.
What's your favorite shoe to train and race in?
To train in, the Nike Zoom Fly 4s and the New Balance 1080 v12s. To race in, the Nike ZoomX Dragonfly.
If you could go back in time to any world event, what would you want to go see?
I'd go all the way back to when God created the earth.
What's your favorite guilty pleasure food?
Either white chocolate raspberry cheesecake or a Chick-Fil-A strawberry milkshake. How do you want to be remembered in the running community for the state of Alabama? I hope I'm remembered as being a humble, hardworking, and selfless runner.
