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Michael Lucero, father of Bakersfield HS Star junior Taylor Lucero,
answers some questions about his son's running career, which has blossomed
after some very successful age-group racing along the way. Below answers
from father, Michael, Taylor will work on the answers when he has time
- Congrats on the HS Career so far!!! - Doug Speck
1) Summarize your successes of your sophomore year in cross-country and
track--
Last year was a growing year for Taylor! He just came off an incredible
race at the '2001 J.O.s to win the National Intermediate 3000 meter final
in
8.51.02 and place 4th in the 1500 in 4.05. He was feeling pretty high
and
mighty. Being a "National Champion" went to his head, as it
might for
anyone that ever thought they'd be there. He started off his sophomore
C.C.
season competing well, the first month he was among the top finisher in
the
Invitationals and was undefeated among local Bakersfield H.S. runners.
Then
he cut back on his weekly mileage, which was already low in comparison
to
all other runners, unrenowned to me. This effected him and his performances
the second half of the season. He missed his goal of qualifying for the
State Meet by one position at the Valley Meet. He however reclaimed his
form at the Grand Masters Meet, being the top sophomore finisher.
It was last Thanksgiving, we were up in the mountains with friends. Taylor
went for a run, he was gone a long time! I went looking for him, he was
running back up a long 1/4 mile steep grade toward the cabin. He saw me
looking, he came over to me and we talked. He had ran 13 miles at 5600
ft
elevation, up and down some killer hills. Taylor said to me that he was
sorry for his behavior and that he is ready to be the National Champion
that
he was. That day Taylor in my eyes became who he is..... An incredible
young man!
Doug, Track season was tough for him, he had to prove to himself that
he is
the best runner to come out of the area (Kern County and the Valley).
He
competed in the 800, 1600 and 3200 meter races and finished with respectable
times in all three. As a matter of fact, Taylor was the only runner state
wide to triple in the league, area and valley meets. He showed who he
is in
those three weeks. He finished with a 1.57.3-800, 4.17.12-1600 and
9.27.86-3200. Taylor knows that he is among the few and that he will be
apart of H.S. history locally and state wide.
2) What have been some of the main differences between age-group and
high
school running?
The two differences are the level of competition and training. The
competition for Taylor in the age group divisions over the past few years,
since junior high school age, has been few and far between. Taylor set
area, county and valley age group records in the 800, 1500 and 3000 meter.
In high school we chose to compete at the varsity level in both C.C and
Track his freshman year.
He ran against the best the valley had to offer and performed well on
his
very low weekly mileage base. The training of course has been intense
and
increased to allow him to compete at the state wide level.
3) What was your summer preparation like for this season?
Taylor trained for the J.O.Nationals on the track and increased his average
weekly mileage. He qualified in the 800 and 1500 meter out of region 14,
however, he was spent mentally and choose to not go to Omaha. He took
a
week and went surfing with his brother and returned with a clear mind
and
ready to train. He worked on maintaining his weekly mileage base and did
a
little interval training and increased his intensity.
4) What adjustments do you make for the heat in the Bakersfield area
while
training?
Taylor trains in the heat of the day around 3 to 4 pm. It given him a
mental edge to know that he can handle the heat and train hard.
5) What do you think are your strengths as a runner?
Taylor's strengths are his natural ability and his belief in his ability.
He's tough and fearless!
6) What areas of your races do you feel you need the most work on?
To date, Taylor is on the third phase of a four years training plan.
He has
in my opinion accomplished all areas, he only aspect he lacks is physical
maturity and that will come.
7) After a fine spring season with soph bests of 4:17.12 for 1600 meters
and
9:27.86 for 3200 meters what are some of your goals for the fall
cross-country season?
Taylor would like to represent himself to the best of his ability and
compete against the top runners in the state and country. As far as time
wise, we believe he can run in the 14.50 or under for 5k, barring any
mishaps or injuries. Taylor would simply like to put fear in those other
runners.
8) Any funny training or racing stories to pass on?
Years ago, I was still competing and one day I took Taylor and his older
brother (Michael) with me to the track. I was doing repeat 200's with
a jog
across. The boys were playing around as they always did, however, that
day
the both showed me a glimpses of their running ability. Michael lined
up at
the start line and took off.... running as fast as he could, he was really
moving. He ran to the 100 meter mark and stopped. The Cal State track
teams was working out and witnessed this little speedster and responded
with
a group yell "Good job little Michael" Given the fact that I
worked out
there and competed for Cal State, they all know me and my sons.
Now, I'm set up to run a 200 and I look over to see if the line was clear
and I notice Tay (Taylor) was lined up at the S/F line and he's looking
as
if he too was going to run. Tay takes off and I do the same, as I finish
I
looked to see Taylor passing the 100 meter mark and going down the back
striate. He had what I thought was the prefect natural form, now he passes
the 200 meter mark and he's going strong. By now everyone on the track
is
cheering this little guy rounding the curve and he hasn't shown any sign
of
slowing down or even stopping. Passing the 300 and now everyone is going
crazy, including myself. Michael is cheering his brother on running along
side of him and I'm amazed, all I could was stand there in ahhh watching
my
baby run 400 meters non-stop. That was a mind blow! Michael was 4 and
Taylor was 3 years old.
9) What advice would you have for a beginning high school runner?
Get to know your body and it's limits and don't be afraid to let coaches
know how you are feeling.
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