Week of September 17th-22nd, 2007
Claire Collison (Crescenta Valley, La Crescenta)


Donna Dye photo
Claire Collison (Crescenta Valley HS)

Claire Collison has been the leader of a quick-developing Crescenta Valley Girls team that is one of the State's best, with the senior Collison out in front in fine style so far this Fall. A seventh place finisher in last year's State Division I Cross Country meet while leading her team to a fourth place finish, Claire continued her fine running into the spring Track season with bests of 4:50.39 for 1600 meters and 10:44.14 for the 3200 meter distance, and a seventh in the State Meet 1600 and tenth there in the eight lap event.  She has had a fine start to her 2007 Fall Cross Country season, with a busy last couple of weeks that included the big Sweepstakes event at Woodbridge, where she raced 16:40 behind Christine Babcock and placing her equal number seven on he all-time list, right with some of the area's historical greats and ahead of more than a few all-time stars! 

We caught up with a busy Claire this week and she took the time to answer some of our questions below. 

Thanks Claire
Doug Speck
DyeStatCal.com

DyeStatCal - Briefly describe how the running season has gone so far for you?
Claire Collison - So far, the season is going great. Our training is consistent and our team is very strong. I've had three races so far and my legs are awake and ready to go. We're really pushing through this weeks with hard training and looking forward to a great cross country season.

DSC - Describe how the Woodbridge race set up when you raced 16:40, second to Christine Babcock's Course Record, with yours still one of the top times ever run on the course - did you have a pace or placing in the pack early on set up, how did the race go strategy-wise, and how did you feel?
CC - It was an honor and a great experience to race against Christine Babcock. Staying in contact with the first group was essential. With a mile to go, I just picked up the pace and didn't let up. I felt great, and it was such a fun race. There was so much energy from everyone cheering and I used that energy to go.

DSC - What other sports did you play while you were growing up, and how did you evolve into a runner?
CC - I was really active when I was growing up. I played soccer for eight years and played basketaball for two years. I decided to play high school basketball and tried out my freshman year and made it. I thought basketball was going to be my sport and only joined cross country because my friends did. I dropped basketball after two years of it, and decided to focus on running. Coach Mark Evans helped me realize that running was going to be my thing and I'm really grateful for his help steering me towards running. I grew so much as a runner by setting high goals and staying dedicated.

DSC - How many days per week and roughly how many miles per day did you average this summer?
CC - I trained six days a week during the summer, averaging about 40 to 50 miles a week. So each day was about seven to eight miles. I visited family in the midwest for three weeks in the summer so I got to train in very different conditions.

DSC - Crescenta Valley has had an all-weather facility put in over the last couple of years - how has this helped you in training for cross-country and track?
CC - We love our new track. It helps having a track for the track season. Instead of getting on a bus to go to the community college to train in track, we have our own place to do hard workouts and sprints. If our cross country park gets too muddy, we have the option of training on the track.

DSC - What are some of the goals that you have for yourself and your team for this year?
CC - I really want to see our team do amazing this year at state. We are really going for a top three finish at state. We tried that last year but this year we are so much stronger as a team. As an individual, I am going to go after winning state in divison 1. It's going to be tough and nothing is set in stone, but I've never felt stronger.

DSC - What can we find you doing with your spare time outside of running and school work?
CC - What's spare time? Just joking. I love to hang out with my friends and just relax. I also love clothes and going shopping. I love going to the beach and the movies. I like to read and spend time with my family as well. Also, I have awesome dance parties with my team.

DSC - Have you given thought to college running - close or far from home and a major of study?
CC - I am definetely going to run at college. I am mostly looking at westcoast schools, but I wouldn't mind going out of state. I am focused on a pre-med and biology major.

DSC - What advice would you have for a beginning runner in the sport of cross-country?
CC  - The most important thing I can say is that a beginning runner should be patient with their development. You still want to set high goals and go after them, but realize you can't rush your training and body. Don't forget to have fun. If you aren't having fun, it's not worth it. That's what I tell my younger sister, Eliza, who started running last year.

Thanks again Claire
Doug Speck
DyeStatCal.com

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