Week of October 22-27, 2007
Liberty Miller (Simi Valley HS)
Southern Section


Joe Hartman photo
Simi Valley soph star Liberty Miller cruises to a 17:33 for second in the
Mt. SAC Individual Sweepstakes race

Trailing in the jet stream of one of the nation's top runners from last Fall at Simi Valley HS, Anna Sperry, last year was frosh Liberty Miller, who was 26th at State Division I in the Fall and had 5:07 and 11:27 distance bests in track for 1600 and 3200 meters.  With Sperry off to BYU Miller has stepped up mightily and is one of the state's best as just a soph in her second serious year of running, with nice wins at the Fastback, Bell-Jeff, and Ventura County Meets, and a strong second at 17:33 in the Individual Sweeps race at the recent Mt. SAC Invitational.  The next fine star from the greater Ventura County area, Liberty is another who took time out from a fire/smoke affected week down south here to answer some questions for us. 

She is our DyeStatCal Athlete of the Week. 

Doug Speck
DyeStatCal.com

DyeStatCal - Liberty - fine racing so far this Fall with wins at Fastback, Bell-Jeff, last weekend at the Ventura County Meet, and a nice second at the Individual Sweeps race at Mt. SAC - what are your general thoughts on how your soph season has gone so far?

Liberty Miller - I am very surprised by the results of this season! Two years ago I would have never imagined becoming a top level cross-country runner. This whole experience is still so surreal. This season has been tremendously satisfying and exciting, especially since I have been able to compete against such good runners. It is always a thrill to race against the best.


DSC - Last year you had a fine frosh year with a 26th at the State Meet Division II and 5:07 and 11:27 bests in track for the distances. What were some of your goals for this season coming in, and based upon your improvement how have you adjusted them at all?

LM - I have planned many goals for this season, including running sub-18:00 at Mt. Sac and to become the Ventura County Champion and Marmonte League Champion. Fortunately I have accomplished most of those goals and now I aspire to improve again at Mt. Sac by running a sub-17:30. I intend to run among the top 5 in Division 2 at the State Meet this year. My high school goal, before I graduate, is to be the State Cross Country Champion.


DSC - How was it to have someone like Anna Sperry on the team last year for you as a beginning runner?

LM - Anna Sperry was a very inspiring runner. She taught me all that I need to know to train hard and become a champion. Last year with Anna as a front runner, it allowed me to learn and develope without the added pressure of being the top runner on the team or in CIF. Anna mentored me in becoming an elite runner. I was able to learn how to conduct myself in training regiments, look forward to competition and challenges, and to be fearless in races. Also, she taught me how to be prepared and respond well in interviews. I am very fortunate that I was able to have someone like that on the team because I know that I would not be nearly as successful without her.


DSC - About how much running did you do this summer in preparation for the season?

LM - Over the summer I had an average of 45 miles per week, plus after the run the team would get together and do some sort of core and strength exercises which really helped prepare the team and I for many hard races and workouts. My long runs of 10-12 miles have helped tremendously to build my endurance and strength. Much of my training is with the boys, so it pushes me to train diligently. During the summer, we run many hills, lactic threshold runs, and tempos. Even though summer is low-key it is always enjoyable to be there in the mornings with my teammates.


DSC - With your league and greater Ventura County area one of the State's most competitive, what is it like to have to be on your toes and ready to go with a superior effort in almost every one of your competitions?

LM - I enjoy having so much competition in every race. It prepares me for greater races and I am always ready for new challenges. With tough competition each week, it forces me to focus in my training and to constantly be prepared for a top performance. Other top runners inspire me to give my best performance and it adds to my belief in myself.


DSC - Have the sacrifices you have had to make for running with the time involved and time commitment in general been a challenge or how has your general time management gone in high school?

LM - Being part of such a demanding sport has really forced me to manage my time better. I have classes with high requirements, especially my leadership class which demands are that I attend all the schools functions and activities.


DSC - What adjustments do you make for the heat that is a factor up in your area during the summer and early fall, and did you have to make any adjustments a week ago during the fires that had to send some smoke in your direction?

LM - Over the summer, the heat is always expected to be at practice, so we'd be lucky if the temperature was in the low 90's. All I can do to ensure a good workout is make sure that I am well hydrated and ready for each workout, no matter how the weather conditions are. During the fires, the coach took the team and I over to the gym and we would run on treadmills and use the other machines to get a good workout.


DSC - How are you looking forward to the next month with the League, Section, and State meet and all?

LM - I am very excited, and at it is finally time to show how all the hard work from the summer trainings and after school practices will pay off. Last year I competed at a high level, but this year it is so exciting to be able to compete with the best runners in California. Many of these runners I looked up to as a freshman, and it is inspiring to now have the opportunity to compete with them.


DSC - You are into your second year of running at the high school level. In looking back, what advice would you offer to a first year athlete who has just started our sport?

LM - When I was a freshman I was very oblivious to how intense this sport is, so for first year athletes I would advise them to train hard and go run their race however they feel is right. Each athlete is different so it would be difficult to share the same race strategy. I had no running experience as a freshman and therefore had no expectations or goals. I joined cross country to be with friends that were running and to do something fun in high school. For many freshman that share this, I would say train as your coach instructs you, to set goals that are sensible, challenge yourself, and keep in mind that you will have a four year running career. But most important, HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE!

Thanks much - Best of luck
Doug Speck
DyeStatCal

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