Name: Maggie Thompson
Personal Records:
1600 Meter Run - 5:23.19
1600 Meter Run - 5:23.19
3200 Meter Run - 11:42.23
5000 Meter Run - 18:52.90
Favorite Class: I really like Art and English because I can express myself through them.
Hobbies: Playing guitar, singing, photography, hanging out with my team and friends, going on the lake, working out, lifeguarding, running, traveling.
What has been your average weekly mileage this summer? Our mileage has varied each week depending on what we're focusing on.
Have you changed anything training wise between last year and this year? I've been doing longer and slower long runs every week and I've also been working on strengthening my core and other muscles to prevent injury.
Goals for this season? I hope my team can continue to carry on our streak, and maybe even go to the next level after the season is over. But for me, I'd like to have a big PR.
What goes through your mind before the gun goes off? I just try to tell myself not to be nervous, that I'm going to be fine if I do my best.
Do you have any superstitions when it comes to competing? I always have to be wearing my watch. I never start it when I'm racing but I just feel weird without it.
Competition Spikes: Nike Zoom Waffle XC
Favorite Television Show: The Office!
What are 3 things in your track bag you can’t live without? Water, my iPod, and a Take 5 candy bar.
What song do you always listen to before a race? Anything from the Soul Surfer Soundtrack. It's really motivating.
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Name: Brandon Hazouri
Personal Records:
1600 Meter Run - 4:26.49
3200 Meter Run - 10:00.96
5000 Meter Run - 15:45.12
Favorite Class: History
Hobbies: Playing guitar, hanging out with my friends.
What has been your average weekly mileage this summer? Around 40-45 with 30 being the lowest in the beginning of summer and working up to about 52 for the last two weeks.
Have you changed anything training wise between last year and this year? Well this summer I tried to bump my easy run pace from about 7:00 down to around 6:00-6:30 depending on the distance and where the run was at. Coach Zelwak has helped me try to run negative splits on a lot of my runs this summer.
How did it feel to be named the Alabama Gatorade runner of the year? Where do you go from there? It was an honor to receive that award and was definitly a little surprised to find out I had won knowing there was probably 3 or 4 other guys in the state who were equally deserving to win. It would be nice to repeat though, but my main focus is on the state Championship. I want to not only repeat individually but as a team. I believe we have one of the strongest in the state this year and we're planning on surprising a few people. Those are my main focuses and anything after that is just extra.
What goes through your mind before the gun goes off? I try to just relax and focus on what I have to do for that race and who my competition is for that particular race.
Do you have any superstitions when it comes to competing? Just run your race and trust in your training.
Competition Spikes: The Nike Victory XC
What are 3 things in your track bag you can’t live without? My Trainers, Spikes, and Water.
What song do you always listen to before a race? Two Step (live at Peidmont Park) by Dave Matthews