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DyeStatCal Female Athlete
of Week September 10/14 - 10/18/02
Rachel Bryan (Laguna Creek, Elk Grove) - Sac Joaquin Section
Finishing up her nearly minute win at the Clovis Invitational (Robert
Meyers photo) - Rachel Bryan (Laguna Creek, Elk Grove) fast becoming one
of the nation's top prep female distance runners - the #5 Returning 3200
runner in the nation off her great 10:36.32 runner-up effort in last June's
State Meet, the Sac Joaquin eleventh grade star has pick right up this
harrier season to stake the same quality claim in the Fall sport!!
Coach Amber Lassetter
(Laguna Creek) adds some thoughts on Amber's improvement
DyeStatCal Athlete of the Week – Rachel Bryan (Laguna Creek, Elk
Grove)
Another Golden State runner who is really cranking up her personal act
this Fall is Rachel Bryan (Laguna Creek, Elk Grove), who has been tearing
through races this season at an impressively high quality, capped by a
big win at last weekend’s Clovis Invitational. Just an eleventh
grader, Rachel is developing into a solid “national class”
runner with heavy consideration off recent runs for one of the eight spots
from the Western U.S. in the Foot Locker Regional to determine a national
placing at the Nationals in December in San Diego.
As with most stories of success in a sport where results come from some
intelligent, hard work, it is interesting below to hear Rachel’s
answers to some of our recent questions, including those to her thoughts
on the impressive run for second in the State Meet 3200 in Track, as well
as some good advice to runners just starting out.
Congratulations – Best of Luck Rachel
Doug Speck – DyeStatCal.com
1) Briefly describe your multi-team races that you have had this Fall--
Up to this point, most of them haven't been too competitive so I've used
them to work on certain areas of my race, the ones that were more competitive
were helpful in pushing me to work harder to improve my times.
2) Specifically talk about the race at Fresno at the Clovis Invite? What
were your thoughts on tactics coming in, time goal or place in mind -
thoughts on your performance?
Because the Clovis Invite was going to be the most competitive race we'd
competed in thus far in our season, I wasn't too sure what to expect.
In fact, I usually try not to think about my races very much before hand;
otherwise, I just make myself too nervous. There were a few key things
I was trying to focus on for that race though, and one of the them was
definitely the start. Everyone inevitably goes out really fast, and if
you get boxed in the beginning of this course particularly, it can be
very difficult to get a chance to move up early on and that alone could
add 20 to 30 seconds onto your time at least.
A goal for my time was about 18 minutes, and I think the fast start helped
me to break that because large races really get your adrenaline going!
Those intense and fast starts can, in a sense, be very motivating and
can often help to set the pace for a faster, more exciting race.
That day, the weather was great and I felt really good; I'm very happy
with my performance.
3) Why the improvement from this cross-country season since last year's?
It's difficult to really pinpoint any specific reason, but I'm sure that
several include gaining more experience, becoming more aware of my strengths
and weaknesses, being able to increase my training, as well as learning
- and continuing to learn - about the different aspects of running. Also,
I couldn't have possibly made it this far without my coaches. They have
helped me as both as a runner and a person, and I don't know what I would
do without them!
4) How much running did you do in the summer?
Lots! :) We start training pretty early and work on building up our mileage
and hill training.
5) What mentally went through your mind approaching and during the State
Meet in Track over 3200m where you ran your 10:36 personal best?
Again, I especially tried not to think about that race, it just makes
me too nervous - not that I don't give any thought to races at all, though.
I did a lot of preparation leading up to that race, but for a few days
prior, I just tried to relax and not become anxious over it. It finally
hit me that I was actually competing in the State Meet when I was on the
starting line, but even then it almost seemed unreal. Once the gun went
off though, I was fine. I decided not to even worry about places or any
expectations - I just wanted to run and have fun doing it; and because
I was in that mind frame I felt very relaxed, yet strong at the same time.
So, when the lead girls started separating, I just went with them and
ended up surprising myself. That experience especially shows that people
aren't aware of what they are truly capable of until they allow themselves
to be challenged.
6) Goals for the rest of the Fall?
Staying strong and having fun
Some quick couple word reactions to the following:
--favorite food - fruits and vegetables - and chocolate!!!!!!!!!
--Foot Locker Cross Country - can't wait :)
--favorite movie - office space
--favorite workout - long recovery runs
--in ten years I will be - still running of course!!
8) Any advice for runners just starting out their high school career?
Although running requires lots of discipline and hard work, it should
be fun, too. Of course, there will be days when you won't want to run,
but that's when you've got to stay committed and focused; always remember
why you run and why you became a runner in the first place. You have to
run for yourself and because, ultimately, you want to - not because you
feel you have to for other people.
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