Kristabel
Doebel Hickok
October, 2006
Palisades HS - LA City Star
photo by Bill Leung
One of the pleasant surprises this fall has been the running
of LA City star, Kristabel Doebel-Hickok, with the Palisades Charter HS
senior much improved since last year. As a sixth place finisher in
last year's LA City Finals in Cross-Country, and a second place 3200 finisher
in the Section Meet in track (and third over 1600m), Kristabel is racing
much stronger than the 5:09.60 (1600) and 11:12.23 (3200) clockings she showed
last track season, with monster wins at the Long Beach Invitational and
her race at Woodbridge, and a big win at Bell-Jeff over one of the nation's
best, Anna Sperry (Simi Valley) 16:42-16:48. She should have a chance
to hook up with some great runners at the Mt. SAC Invite, and with Katja
Goldring (LA Hamilton) one of the LA City's all-time bests off her 10:37.08
3200, a great competition in the LA City Meet prior to state.
1) So what are your thoughts on your cross-country season so
far this fall? Briefly summarize your invitational level races and how they
have been for you--
I am so excited from these first few races. I knew I would be faster this
fall, but did not expect to be running this fast this early in the season.
So far I have competed at the Long Beach Invitational, Woodbridge Invite
and Bell Jeff. I won my races at these meets with times of (17:39, 17:10
and 16:42).
2) What were your thoughts last year at the end of track season as you looked
ahead to your senior year?
I was really encouraged by my large improvements in track, especially the
3200. I seemed to improve more at longer distances which was a good sign
for XC. My hopes for my senior year were the same as every other (to run
fast), I just came into this season better prepared to do that.
3) In an interview at the Long Beach Invitational you described the fact
that you did quite a bit of cross-training this summer, and it may have been
a change in training from what you have done in the past - could you describe
some of the different types of activity you did for conditioning this summer?
Over the summer I worked with Forster at Phase IV to create a training program
that supplemented lower mileage with swimming, weight lifting, and elliptical
cross trainers.
4) Off of how you have done so far this fall, what are some of your goals
for this season and as you look ahead into track?
My goals are competition, not time oriented. I hate time goals because no
one including myself know how fast I can or will run. I hope to race well
at the Mt.Sac invite as well as the upcoming Fountain Valley meet. However,
my main goal is to place high at the state meet and have a good race at Footlocker.
In track I want to focus more on the two mile race well at the state meet.
5) What can we find you doing with any of your spare time outside of running
and school (if you have any this time of year?)--
I enjoy hanging out with friends and absolutely love to horseback ride.
6) Any other members of your family involved in sports?
My mom is active, but doesn't compete in any sport. My brother ran cross
country, but really focused on baseball in high school. My dad prefers to
watch sports rather than participate in them.
7) How did you get your start with running as an activity?
I started running for the school team that practiced once a week in middle
school. My gym teacher and middle school coach, Stacey Foxson, got me into
it.
8) What advice would you offer to a first year cross-country runner who is
just out for the sport?
Enjoy yourself, train smart, and the rest will come. GOOD LUCK!
is published by 