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German Fernandez |
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German Fernandez (Riverbank)
One of the nation’s most talented distance runners is German Fernandez of Riverbank High School. The Sac Joaquin section senior has shown so much potential during a career that has been marked by setbacks that included knee surgery and assorted other ailments. He still has some amazing accomplishments, with his smooth 15:14 State Division IV Cross Country title run two years ago still one of the best soph distance running efforts we have ever witnessed, and a strong finish to his junior 2007 track season that had him third in the State 3200 at 9:08.05 and a close second in the Golden West Invitational mile in a fine 4:13.32. As he heads into his senior fall season all have their fingers crossed for the likable Sac Joaquin Section star from the small Sac Joaquin powerhouse, Riverbank, with a fine start to the harrier campaign at the Fleet Feet Delta Kings Invitational August 24th. In a pretty low-key season opener at Live Oak Park on a course listed as 2.98 miles, German (say it with a “G”) simply popped a 14:07 clocking at the Delta Kings affair, showing that he will be one to be reckoned with at the top levels his senior year. We caught up with German in the middle of the week following his fine Delta King performance and he was good enough to spend some time with us. Sometimes a few ups and downs along the way gives one a better sense of appreciation of one’s talents and a commitment to good preparation that makes the successes possible in our running activity. One who looks ready to close down his prep career in style after learning all the lessons, off to a super start heading into September, is Riverbank’s German Fernandez. 1) What were your thoughts on your run in the Fleet Feet Delta Kings Invitational where you raced 14:07 for 2.98 miles? GH - I felt good. I am using the early meets for workouts to prepare myself for state and hopefully nationals. I ran the course for the first time in the meet and was hoping for a good time and it came out that way. I was tired, but ran fast. 2) What kind of preparation did you do this summer for your senior year? GH - I had a pattern of three workouts on Monday, two on Tuesday, and one on Wednesday. I started the pattern again on Thursday with three workouts, then two on Friday, and one on Saturday. I took Sundays off. I was running about 50-60 miles per week. I often ran in the heat of the day up here, but did mix it up with some running in the morning and evening. I definitely did much more running than I ever have before in the summer. Before my soph year I did not run much during the summer, and I was hurt before last year. 3) How did the successes you had at the end of your junior track season, third in the State Meet 3200 at 9:08 and second in the Golden West Invitational Mile at 4:13 help you for this year? GH - Considering in February I thought I had a stress fracture, as I had one shin that was bothering me a great deal, I was pleased with track season. Instead of shin splints in both shins I had just one shin that really hurt a lot and we had it checked out and it was not a stress fracture, but it took a time away from good running early in the season. 4) We were particularly impressed with your 15:14
soph state meet win at Woodward Park two years ago--how did you
feel during that race which looked so smooth and effortless? 5) What are some of your meets coming up? GH - I know we are running the Sierra Invitational and then later in September the Stanford Invitational. 6) What are your thoughts on your running after high school? GH - I would like to stay in California for my college running
after high school. I hope to hve a good coach and be part of a
good team, and work towards my goal of running in the Olympics. GH - I hope to win state and be able to run in the nationals. Off his start I would not bet against him-------- Thanks German - Best of Luck |
