Week of September 24th-29th, 2007
James Attarian (Dublin) NCS


James Attarian (Dublin) NCS Star was Division III Winner at Stanford

A competition like Stanford is very interesting to watch, as a number of top athletes from around the state come together after having some solid successes at the local level.  It is a chance to see out on the course how someone who may race away from an area competition will fare when suddenly they are part of a pack of a half-dozen up near the lead half-way through the star-studded 5k event on the Palo Alto golf course.  With some you can see the facial strain that is the outer manifestation of the discomfort of others challenging their pacing, a situation they may not be used to; others may learn the tough lesson that to be right on the lead early may not be necessary as the huge field contains some who ignore correct pacing and foolishly charge out; and with a select few one senses a quiet inner confidence, strength, and sense of pace that eventually carries them far out ahead of the others in the contest.  The Boys Division III race at Stanford had such a fifteen second winner, James Attarian of Dublin (NCS), who exuded power in his smooth stride after the two mile point in racing away to his 15:22 win, a clocking that would hold up as the equal best Golden State time of the day.  James had a fine 2006-2007 school year of running, with a fourth place Division III effort last Fall in Cross Country in the NCS, and a 4:17.87 runner-up effort in last May's Section Track Finals over 1600 meters.  Below he takes time out from his running and school to answer some questions as our DyeStatCal Athlete of the Week. 

DyeStatCal - Strong well-paced run at Stanford this past weekend, where you won Division III at 15:22--what are your thoughts as you look back on the race?

James Attarian - I thought I ran a good race. I paced it pretty well and felt strong at the end. I was pretty happy with the result.

DSC - What was your plan or strategy that you hoped to use in the Stanford race and how did the contest unfold?

JA - My plan was to get out front and not be boxed in then stick with the top pack and see what the pace would be. If the pace was slower than I wanted to go, I decided I would just take it and run. It unfolded just like that. At the 2 mile mark I felt good and thought I could go faster than the pace so I took off.

DSC - You were second to Nate Beach, your divisional rival from Acalanes, by eleven seconds at the De la Salle/Carondelet Meet recently, and were able to defeat him at Stanford. By looking at the race video, it seemed you two separated from the pack after a bit over a mile--how did the previous contest go and what went through your mind half-way through the Stanford race and how did you plan a move or did things just happen?

JA - I knew Nate likes to take the lead and keep up a pretty strong pace from my previous race. So I thought I would keep up with him at his pace and see how I felt . At the two mile I felt good, so I decided to take off and see if I could sustain a faster pace to the end of the race.

DSC - You indicated to Rich Gonzalez of DyeStatCal that you did quite a bit of running this summer. You had a good 2006-2007 year, fourth in the Section Division III in the Fall and 4:17.87 while runner-up in section during the spring track season. How much running did you do last summer and what motivation did you have off 2006-2007?

JA - After track season, with the times that I ran, if I put in the work, I knew I could take my running to the next level I mainly ran the 800 and 1600, so this summer I wanted to work on the longer distances. Throughout the summer I increased my milage peaking at around 70 miles a week.

DSC - What are some of your big races coming up in October before the League and Section action begins?

JA - The biggest one I am preparing for is Mt. Sac. where I hope to run in the Sweeps race. I like that course and have done well there in the past.

DSC - What are some of your goals for the remainder of the Fall season--defending State Champ Div III Mohamed Abdalla of Willow Glen had the same time as you at Stanford in a different race, so has this weekend changed some of your goals for the season?

JA - At the beginning of the season I wanted to be among the top finishers at State and improve on last years time. Now after these races that I've run I know I can compete for the title.

DSC - What advice would you have for a ninth grader or beginner to our sport of Cross-Country in their first season?

JA - Stay consistent with your training. You get out of it what you put into it. Don't give up.

DSC - some quick anwsers off the top of your head:

DSC - favorite course to race on--
JA - Stanford

DSC - least favorite course to race on--
JA - Lime Ridge in Concord

DSC - kind of workout you like the most--
JA - Speed work

DSC - kind of workout you like the least--
JA - I actually enjoy all the work outs. I know, it sounds crazy.

DSC - when not running or doing homework or at school we can find you doing what---
JA - Hang out with friends, going to movies,

DSC - last movie you saw--
JA - Death Sentence

DSC - music you most recently purchased, listened to, or transferred to your personal player--
JA - The Fray

DSC - for college, close to home or---
JA - Close or far away, either one would work

Thanks James - Best of Luck
Doug Speck
DyeStatCal.com

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