DyeStatCal Girls
Athlete of the Week
Shannon Murakami
(Saugus)
Week of 10/09-13, 2006
California
Photo by Mike Kent
Shannon in action at a recent Foothill League
Meet
One of the leaders of the "Class of 2007," a special group
of female distance runners statewide, Shannon Murakami (Saugus HS) has marked
steady progress throughout her four years of prep running. During a
super junior year she was the State Division I Champ in the Fall during
Cross-Country, and placed twelfth in the Foot Locker West competition. In
the spring she was third in the State Finals 1600 at 4:43.04, and had an
impressive 10:35.9 3200 in a dual meet!! She has come out charging
in the 2006 Fall Cross Country season, with a series of great runs, capped
by an overall win in the Oregon Nike/Jim Danner Invitational a week back! With
the meat of the season to go, Shannon and her fine team, which has steadily
moved up the ladder in Regional and National rankings should come up with
some very special fireworks!!
Congrats and best of luck!!!
Doug Speck
DyeStatCal.com
1) Briefly summarize your Invitational racing season so far this Fall?
I would have to say that this season has been going very well so far. I
am really looking forward towards the end of the season because I know my
coaches are training me in order to peak at the end of the season.
2) How much faster have you been than last year on comparable courses?
As the season has progressed, I have seen an improvement on my times compared
to last year. For example Last year, at Woodbridge last year I ran a 16:58,
whereas, this year I ran 16:51. At Central park, for our first league meet
I ran 18:01 but last year I ran 18:31. So I am definitely seeing an improvement
and I am happy with my performance thus far.
3) How much running did you do this summer compared to the same past
periods?
Last summer, I ran a lot of mileage at a slower pace, with few fast paced workouts.
This year I have been doing higher mileage but at a faster pace.
4) Tell us about the trip to Oregon and what the course was like to run on
there--
The trip to Oregon was so much fun, and I believe it helped our team create
a tighter bond with each other. The course was different from what I am used
to running. The weather was a lot cooler and the course was grassy and had
multiple sharp turns. Also as a team, I think that it boosted our confidence
and raised our national rankings.
5) What is your favorite cross-country workout as far as getting you ready
for good racing efforts?
My favorite workout(s) would have to be long distance runs with surges at the
end. I also love doing hill workouts.
6) What are some of your goals as you look ahead to the later fall and
spring seasons?
For the fall, I have my mind set on winning state and defending my title,
along with qualifying for Footlocker Nationals. For the spring, my goal is to break 4:40 in the mile and win state.
7) What advice would you have to a first year cross-country runner just out
for the sport?
I would have to say to go out and have fun! Also, don’t let people
get you down. When you run, give it your all, and no one can possibly ask for
more.
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