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Week of
October 22-27, 2007 A fine runner during the 2006-2007 year, Sultana's Brett Walters was eleventh in the State Division I Cross Country Finals at 15:30 at Woodward Park after a twelfth place finish in the Southern Section competition at that level, and he raced 9:34.18 for 3200 meters in track during the spring while just missing out on the Southern Section Division I Finals in the event. This fall he has come out charging after a good summer of preparation, with the fall, thin, bouncy-haired high desert star always up near the front of his contests, charging to a runner-up effort behind Mac Fleet at the Pepperdine Invitational, and wins at Stanford Division I, Palos Verdes, and the Arcadia Invitationals in addition to local high desert successes. While the fires of recent weeks in Southern California did not happen in his community, like most schools around, the amount of smoke and soot affected practices for more than a few days, and Brett was good enough to take time out and answer a few questions for us. Brett has obviously done a lot of work since last season in an area where the weather can be anything but hospitable during the summer months, and it has shown in his performances this fall as we begin the turn the corner towards Championship time! Doug Speck DyeStatCal - Brett, super Fall so far this season with wins at the Stanford Division I race, Palos Verdes Invitational, a runner-up at the Pepperdine Meet, and win this past week at the Arcadia Invitational. What have been your overall thoughts on the season so far? Brett Walters - Well, this season is going so well I really couldn't be any happier. Some of the races I would have run a little differently, but as a whole I can't really complain. Mainly, I have to give credit to great coaching by Coach Mahr and Coach Bonner. DSC - What were your goals for the season coming into this fall season, and how have they adjusted if any during the season? BW - My goals coming into the season were to improve from last season and to stay uninjured. I ran a lot more mileage this summer than the previous summer. DSC - From the 9:34 best for 3200 we had for you in track last year you seem to have improved significantly since last spring. How did you approach the summer and your preparation for this cross-country season that has made such a positive difference for you? BW - I ran consistantly over the summer and did a lot of base training. I also ran with several different groups of guys. I also participated in a few fun races and cross training programs such as cycling. I really tried having a little more fun with the summer. DSC - No discussion of running in your area can leave out the weather, and how do you and your team deal with the heat that is such a factor in your area during the summer and early Fall? BW - In the summer I try not to train in the heat
of the day, mainly in the
morning or later evenings. We even did a few midnight runs by the
full moon...pretty neat. But as soon as school starts that all
ends and practices start at 2:00 (which normally on
a good day is in the high 90's or low 100's). This
is what really makes our team so tough!!!! Just
don't forget your water bottle or
you can really die. We race in the heat and we actually enjoy it
(and our
tans are pretty mean), and its always a treat to race somewhere
that DSC - Roughly how much running did you do this summer in preparation for this season? BW - TWO-A-DAYS were my friend this
summer. Almost every week consisted of 3-4. An
average week of training would be in the 70's while two weeks were 100
miles a piece. Altitude training was a factor (and its nice getting
out
of
the desert!). A big part of training was running with different
people, I ran some with my team, Kevin Barda, Danny Lyons, and Jerry Bugh
(from DSC - What are your favorite kind of workouts that you think prepare you best for a challenging three mile/5000 meter event? BW - For flat courses 4 mile tempos, and 900/500 intervals are my favorite. When it comes to Sac, we have a devilish little 2-mile course named mini-me, which stands for a mini Mt. Sac. It has switchbacks, poop-out, and reservoir. And boy...isn't that just a little bundle of joy. Its hot and dirty and we all just eat it up. Sometimes I wonder if we are just a little kooky in the head. =) DSC - When we have seen you race this fall we noticed a particularly aggressive style of racing from the front - what are your personal thoughts on how to approach a cross-country race and the opposition? BW - I have grown into front running last year and this year. I think its harder to come from the back than try and sustain, which is why I like to be out there in the front. And if people stick next to me I try and not to make it a "kick at the end" race. DSC - Did the recent fires up in your direction force any adjustments in your workouts or daily plans? BW - Oh ya!! We were smoked out for 3 days, so the cycling room came in handy! We just had to drive up to the mountains to run. It is so amazing running on the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail). DSC - What thoughts have you given to college running (close or far from home, level collegiately, possible majors, etc.)? BW - I love California, but want to try somewhere else. I would like up north or even back east. I would love running in D-1 or the Pac-10 schools. As for majors, I think I have a pretty good idea. I want to study kinesiology and human physiology. DSC - What advice would you have for a beginning runner in our sport who is going through their first season. BW - Keep running and you will really
learn to love this sport. I can see myself
running my whole life now just due to running in High school. And
best of
luck. |
