Interval Session #12 - Nadya and Nastia Bishton The running and racing abilities of the Bishton twins, who came from Russia to the United States with their family when they were 7, were first really noticed on a national level last year when Nadya (as a junior) was 4th at Foot Locker West and 16th at the Finals. It may have appeared that twin sister Nastia was not at Nadya’s level by those FL West results (Nastia was 25th), but in the spring she proved otherwise. While Nadya struggled some with a foot injury, Nastia would take her 3200 PR all the way down to 10:33.89, 4th in Arizona state history. This fall has seen the twins -- now seniors at Mountain Ridge AZ High School -- healthy, and while Nadya is unbeaten, Nastia has been much closer than 2006. The most telling display of their mutual talents was at the Stanford Invite seeded race, where they took 1-2 in 17:29 (Nadya) and 17:31 (Nastia). Next weekend, they will clash with Jessica Tonn and other top Arizona runners in what should be one of the best state meet showdowns of the fall. SteveU, DyeStat News Editor, takes a welcome break from the Michigan cold and heads to 'Zona to kick up some desert dust with these potential Foot Locker Finalists (Nastia decided to answer most of the questions).

1. I understand you two were born in Russia and that your Mom was a top sprinter when she was younger. Can you tell me who she was? Also, either or both of you, please tell me a little about what got you started in running and how you wound up in the distances instead of the sprints like your Mom? Nastia: Our mother's name was Viktoria Peshehonova. We love her, and the person she is, so we try to mirror her path through life. That's why we also wanted to run. It just turned out that when we wanted to run, the only thing available was cross country. We figured we would do it just to get in shape, but we ended up getting hooked!. 2. (Mountain Ridge) Coach (Don) Tate said he kind of tried to hold you girls back a bit when you were first running on the team, trying to see that you didn't overdo it at a younger age. He said during the middle of your sophomore years, he finally kind of let you go, so to speak, and now we can see the national-class runners you both have become. Can you tell me about those early days and how hard it was to hold back. and how it felt when you could finally really start pushing it more? Nastia: We never felt that we were getting held back our freshmen year. We ran hard, relatively, on a team that never really ran that hard. But by our sophomore year, we would be running faster than the other girls on recovery runs. Our coach wanted our team to be more "together," so he made us do pack runs where we would constantly be circling back. It felt so frustrating to have to run slower than you think you can. Once the season was over, me and Nad did recovery runs our own pace; it felt so liberating! 3. Nastia, from remembering the results from last year, it looks like you used to be further behind Nadya. Then it looks like you had a huge track season last spring to close the gap and move ahead, and now you are running within a few seconds of each other. Can you tell me about your motivation to train last winter before track and how you pushed to get better? Nastia: I actually don't think I trained harder, just more relaxed. With the help of my coach, I was able to realize that how Nad was doing in a workout had nothing to do with me. I began running my own workouts, and not stressing out and wasting my energy on tight, tensed up muscles. I just ran. 4. Nadya, I understand you had a bit of an injury problem last spring. Can you tell me about dealing with that and what you have done this fall to come back and win races like you have all season? Nadya: I didn't handle it well last year. I pretty much ignored the pain as best I could and refused to take time off, fearing having to miss workouts. I realize I should have listened to my body, but at the time it didn't seem like the most important thing. I got orthotics over the summer, though, and they have taken care of my foot pain, leaving me to focus on getting faster, and not gritting my teeth from the injury. 5. Having gotten to know 3 or 4 sets of twins who were elite runners the past few years, I know how competitive it can get, whether in practices or meets. Can both of you tell me about the tough things and the great things about having a twin sister who is as fast as you, who you care about yet want to beat? Nastia: Having a twin is the best and the worst blessing. On the one hand, you always have someone there. And in high school, where sometimes you feel the whole world has turned its back on you, that is extraordinary. We are each other's confidantes in the direst of times. But on the other hand, this person that you love so much can take your win away from you. They can take your "good day" at a race and trample all over it with their's. This constant comparison can really drill through your head. But you have to let it go and just help each other compete and be your best. 6. It seems like all twins have some great stories about times when they have pulled fast ones on people by "switching" or playing tricks to fool people who might get you mixed up. Can either or both of you tell me a few of your favorite stories of those times, especially as they may relate to the team? Nastia: Well, in fourth grade we tried to pull the old "switcheroo," but it was a miserable failure. I couldn't find the flag during the pledge in Nadya's classroom and I kept circling around looking for it. And Nadya couldn't find my desk (great planning huh?). Within five minutes of our daring prank, the teachers opened up the classrooms' adjoining doors and told us to get back into our own classes – in front of all the other students! 7. Can either or both of you talk about what it's like running at Mountain Ridge, and the support you've had from Coach Tate and your family? Nastia: Mountain Ridge really plays it up for athletics, and I love that. Coach Tate is like my second dad/uncle/friend. I don't know what I'll do without him in college! My family is sooo supportive. My parents let us train during vacations and they rearrange the whole schedule to accommodate our routine. And they show up to every single meet! 8. Can you tell me a little bit about what you guys are like outside of running? What are some of the things both school-wise (academics) and outside school (social-life, fun stuff) that you both like? What are some different things that one of you likes and the other doesn't care for? What differences are there in your interests that would surprise some people? Nastia: Nadya and me are definitely drifting different ways. I'm hard core Catholic and I attend FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), while she is studying up on Hinduism. We are both pretty liberal minded and love to talk to older folks about life. We also love to go into political battle discussions! Nad is the more adventurous type and is into the dating scene, while I am the more shy type. We both volunteer at a wild life sanctuary for predatory birds. Nad wants to be a vet while I'm still unsure (but definitely something to do with nature). Photos by Michele Trent, Joe Hartman

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