Chris Britton (Madera HS) is at Auburn University in Alabama - We asked him a few questions about his experiences thus far in that area of the country as a student, athlete, and just general life!! He provides some interesting information on college training, football in the south, getting lost in Atlanta, and where he fits in on the team. He adds some information that future recruits at the prep level should read. The program just made a change with great 5000m star of the 1980's (we believe he was sub-13:20 for the distance) Chris Fox as a new coach.

1) How did the summer training go for you?

I came to Auburn on July 17 to start training with the guys staying here over the summer. The training was intense, the guys told me to hold back if I felt I needed to adjust. But I'm a freshman right, I've gotta prove myself so I jump from 35-40 mile weeks at 7:15-7:45 pace or slower and go right into 70-80 mile weeks "cruising" in the low to mid 6's. So after a Achilles strain,some IT band problems I'm back and feeling good.

2) What is the make-up of the Auburn team gradewise - how many frosh?

-12 frosh( largest recruiting class in recent history) 24 total, only one senior.

3) School so far?

Schools good I just finished my second week, I'm very impressed with the emphasis they place on academics of the student athletes.

4) Different way of life down south that you have noticed? WOW where do I start?

First off you have to admire the tremendous amount of pride the southerners have, which you can imagine in certain instances can be a bit "overwhelming". Growing up in the west coast I thought I knew racism, I read the books in school, saw the movies, and was told by a few that there were some who still felt that way. Being foreign to the south and as naive as I am I thought the only racism came in the form of the whites suppressing the blacks and it being very rare I figured I was safe. A couple weeks ago we decide to go see a Braves game so we load up in the jeep, six white boys none of us being from any closer than Ohio get lost in downtown Atlanta. Looking back on the experience I kick myself but we didn't know any better. We drive aimlessly through the "projects" searching for a main street to lead us back to the twenty first century, not knowing our predicament the locals see a jeep driving slowly up and down the streets loaded with white boys listening to rap music while waving at the kids on the playgrounds. Let me just tell you I've seen some six year olds with some pretty extensive vocabularies, and the 0-60 time on a jeep isn't bad.

5) Cross-Country and other sports big on campus or any sense of that yet?

Athletes are shown tremendous respect whether you're football or tennis.

6) How big does Auburn Football seem to be?

Football isn't a sport........it's a religion! Auburn is a town of about 40,000 so it doesn't accomadate half the population of Alabama very well. There are 3 freeway exits starting about 15 miles from town used only for footall traffic that leads to the town that becomes the fourth largest city in Alabama on gameday.

7) When is your first meet?

Our first meet is the UTC invite Sept. 6 in Chattanooga TN

8) Where do you think you will fit in on the team?

The entire time I've been here I've been trying to gauge where I'll fit in all of this, come next week under coach Fox it's going to be a whole new ball game. Right now it looks as if I'm bordering on the edge of the top 8.

9) Some workouts you have done (or maybe wait a couple of days until Coach Fox takes you thru some)?

Coach Sauder our assistant has been in charge the last couple of weeks. Right now we run one or two long fartleks a week and a tempo every otherweek and the guys look great.

10) Any advice on the recruiting process from HS to College?

Don't dismiss a school because of the location, I came to visit Auburn as a vacation with no intention of coming here and fell in love. Make a list of priorities, off that list analyze everything: the program,school,conference,climate(usually visits are in the spring which means mild weather). It doesn't matter who you were in high school, if your afraid your not at that level, or willing to work before you get any attention attend a jr. college first. Finiacially you'll have more oppurtunities, it will put you in the competition right off, and the adjustment will be more gradual.

11) Best HS memory?

Race-Mt. SAC Junior year was an amazing race as was state championship. No sport matches the camaraderie of cross country and my greatest memories will be of the times spent with the team.

12) Advice for starting prep runners?

Take advantage of your opportunities, go to running camps especially if it's put on by a school you are intersersted in. You'll get a feel for the program and the experience and knowledge is motivating and helpful.

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