 |
DyeStat Features
Renee Gunning -
a series on the development of a distance star
Part 2
From
Frosh Prodigy to Elite Distance Runner - Another soccer player turns
runner
by Don Rich, publisher of DyeStatPA
Renee Gunning knew she enjoyed running as early as seventh grade. But as a 75-pound high school freshman in 1996, she didn't select cross country for the love of the sport. She picked it to stay in shape for soccer. At the time, she thought that even though she liked track, she wouldn't be able to pursue it as a sport because it interfered with soccer.
Her first XC race came and went, and she hated it. But as she would continue to do throughout her high school career, she persevered. The first dual meet was upon her. She was just a freshman. And she won it.
Renee says "The papers made a big fuss. They expected me to do good things, like doing well in at Leagues and in Districts, and maybe going to States." That first season went well, as Renee got third in her League Championships.
It was on to Districts, and she didn't know what to expect, but she was excited to give it her best. Then disaster. "I don't remember any of the race. It was a blur. They told me that 100 meters from the finish I collapsed. I kept trying to get up, but my coach had to pick me up. I went to the hospital with dehydration. And I weighed only 75 pounds."
Renee didn't run indoor her freshman year, but she says the track coaches 'bribed her, so to speak' to join the team in the spring. Soccer would be relegated to a non-school activity. Gunning says she was good as a freshman on the track, but that she didn't go to States. She did, however, qualify for Districts in both the mile and two mile, placing eighth in the mile. Only the top six who meet the state standard could go on that year.
"I did absolutely no speed work, and I don't even think I wore spikes, probably trainers."
Overall, it was a year that showed many of the signs of good things to come.
Early that summer between her freshman and sophomore years, Renee decided that she was indeed, a runner. She started training for XC the first week of July.
But she was still concerned about the experience at Districts the previous year, so she played it safe. But she still would get sick after races. Her parents sought medical advice, and Renee discovered she had a protein deficiency in which her body would break down the carbohydrates too rapidly, causing a severe lack of energy.
Renee said she was put on a total protein diet that included red meat. "And I hate red meat. But it helped."
She went on to do well at Districts, finishing 13th, where she said she 'ran smart.' At States, she finished 40th, and was disappointed with the showing. "But I was happy with my season, because at most I was running only 20 miles a week."
The indoor season beckoned. And for the first time, her coaches added some speed work. Her times dropped, and she was added to the 4 x 800 varsity squad. During the Spring track season she posted a 5:06 mile and an 11:10 two-mile. Pennridge won the Leagues, where Renee won the 800 title. She was now a four-event talent, claiming the mile, two-mile and 800 as individual pursuits, and the 4 x 400 for the team. At her sophomore Districts, she took second behind Liz Churchville of Upper Merion with an 11:18. "It was the first time I had ever been competitive with her, and I think that's when our rivalry began." At States, Renee medalled, getting fourth in her PR at the time of 11:10.
Apparently the itch to compete didn't subside quickly, because she took some time during the summer between 10th and 11th grades to win the 800, mile and 3000 meter runs at the Keystone Games.
It had only been two years since Renee had gotten serious about her running, but she came in more than prepared for a stellar junior XC season. Very few runners get to experience what Renee experienced the fall of 1998. She was undefeated in invitationals, dual meets, and Leagues. And even though she was still only running just 25 miles a week, she finished second at Districts to Churchville. And soon-to-be best friend Josianne Lauber of Oxford, was third that year.
"I was so excited. And it got even better at States where I was sixth. It was freezing and I was numb the whole way. But it didn't contain my excitement." Her time was an impressive 18:24.26.
Indoor was as it had been the year before. Training for spring and a time to concentrate on the 4 x 800.
Again, an undefeated Spring season. But a bigger breakthrough came in that 1999 season. She cracked 5:00 for the first time, running a 4:59 at the Coatesville Raider Classic the night before Districts. "I looked around and saw the clock and it was the most exciting thing. I thought it was impossible. The next week, I broke 11 for two miles. I had the fastest times in the state in both events. And I was seeded ahead of Liz (Churchville) for the first time." She decided to double at Districts, and would get 2nd to Churchville in the two-mile, but would win the mile later that day.
At States, she again decided to double. "It would be my last chance against Liz. I got to within two seconds of her in the two-mile and absolutely killed my best time with a 10:42. But it was hot and I only had 45 minutes until my 1600 final." Seeded first, she would finish sixth in 5:04.01. "It was all on guts. I went out way too fast, and was actually in the lead until the last lap. I really wanted to do well as a junior because it can be the most important season for colleges. I wanted them to see that I could do well in multiple races."
For her last summer as a high school athlete, Renee expanded her sites to the State Games of America where she took first in the 1500 and 3000. "There was little competition, but it was a good learning experience with the travel and meets."
To close out her XC training, she went to the Villanova High School camp where she ran ten miles for the first time in her life. She was still only averaging 25 miles a week. That's where she met Gina Procaccio, recently named the Women's Head Coach, and miler legend Marcus O'Sullivan, the program's Head Coach. "
"The running was great, the camp was great, and I lost ten pounds. But I decided then that I really wanted to run for Villanova."
Return to Renee Gunning series index
