Hannah ran 10:16 for 2 miles to finish 3rd at New Balance Outdoors. (Photo by Angelle Albright)
MileSplit - How is your fitness now that you are in the middle of the 2013 season. What excites you most about the rest of the season?
Hannah - I’m really happy with where I am right now in terms of fitness. We haven’t really had any big meets yet, so I’m excited to see what I can do individually and what we can do as a team during championship season. Even though it’s still warm and muggy right now, I’m looking forward to cooler fall weather and hopefully a race in the snow.
MileSplit - After your huge 10:10 3200m this spring and your obliteration of the course record at the Stratton Brook Invitational by over a minute with a 17:36 clocking, what are your expectations for this season? Did you expect to improve so much in your sophomore year?
Hannah - I want to continue improving and try to compete on a national level for the first time in cross country. It’s also important that I have a healthy and happy season, and I’m really excited to see what we can do as a team. I trust my coaches and their training program, and I know they’re setting me up to continue improving this year.
MileSplit - When & how did you get started in cross country?
Hannah - I ran in a local 5k in the spring of my eighth grade year and I really enjoyed it, so I kept running over the summer. I decided to join cross country in the fall because I wanted to participate in a sport and running is fun.
MileSplit - Person/people most influential to your success in cross country and why?
Hannah - My coaches are without a doubt the most influential. Not only do they have a great training program, but they also keep me injury-free. Most importantly, they make sure I’m enjoying running and excited to race.
MileSplit - Who has influenced you the most so far in your life and what they mean to you and your success?
Hannah - Many people have influenced me in different ways and during different parts of my life. My former Taekwondo masters in particular have left a big impact on me. They taught me to always strive for my best, both physically and mentally.
MileSplit - What are the keys to your successful cross country training program and what work did you put in to start off so well this year?
Hannah - We train hard and consistently, but we also make sure we aren't doing too much. We know when to be serious and focused, but we keep in mind that cross country is supposed to be fun. I think I built a solid base over the summer, and my coaches know how to turn summer training into great performances during the season.
MileSplit - What are the keys to your team's unity and how you train to reach your goals?
Hannah - We’re all really close and comfortable being weird around each other. I mean, we’re inevitably going to be together for a while on our runs, so we might as well make it entertaining. At the same time, we also know when it’s time to be serious and focus on our training and races.
MileSplit - Your favorite past performance in a cross country race and why?
Hannah - Probably New Englands last year. I didn’t have the best race at States, so it was nice to redeem myself. The course was also really muddy, and it’s always fun to have a race in the mud.
MileSplit - Who are the cross country competitors you most enjoy competing against and why?
Hannah - I really enjoy competing against Claire Howlett. Our races always come down to the wire, and even though she usually kicks me down, I know I put my best effort forth when I race her. Having such great competition like her thirty minutes away has definitely helped me become the runner I am today.
MileSplit - What is your greatest non-running experience in cross country so far and why?
Hannah - This is a tough one…probably adopting my pet grapes or our bathroom breaks in the woods.
MileSplit - What are your goals for the 2013 cross country season?
Hannah - I want to compete on the national level for the first time in cross country. I’m also hoping for a state title as a team.
MileSplit - Do you have any long-term goals in running?
Hannah - Mainly just to stay healthy and happy.
MileSplit - What was your favorite performance from the 2013 World Champs?
Hannah - Dibaba in the 10k.
The Fun Run
What music do you rock while working out…
Hannah - I don’t listen to music, but if I did, it would be Erica Hefnawy.
Do you like to run in the mud or the grass…
Hannah - Definitely mud.
Do you hang out on Facebook or Twitter...
Hannah - Facebook.
Do you like going out or chilling at home...
Hannah - Chilling at home.
What gear is your favorite while running...
Hannah - My socks.
