1. Taylor, tell us about your fantastic race today.
When the gun went off and I took the first straight out quick as usual, I knew I was feeling good. My stride was strong and I felt really smooth. I clocked the first mile in 4:37 and after that I told myself the whole way I wasn’t going to turn back at all or hold anything in, I was determined to break 15. I kept my strong stride and quickened my pace the whole way through the first lap knowing I’d have to keep the rhythm for the next loop. Before getting to the 2 mile marker, I felt really strong and I was going to leave everything I had on the course for the last mile. I clocked a 9:29 2 mile and that boosted me for the rest of the race. Any chance I had to surge I took, and sped up the rhythm to finish hard. In the woods before the last hill I knew I could come out with an awesome time, so the last hill I tried to blast with all I had and finished with whatever was left in me. The straight away into the finish was ALL OUT, every little bit left in me to get that time.
2. Did you have a plan to go all out today or did you just feel great and go with the flow?
Originally I wasn’t going to run County, but earlier in the week Coach Williams told me I was in, so my thoughts were to go after the record and see what I could do at Clinton. None of the race was specifically planned except for a good, quick mile and after the 4:37 I felt strong and took the race from there. The whole day I was anxious to get out on the course and go, my training has been going awesome and I knew at this point in the season that my speed was ready to accomplish something like the time today. Getting out hard, feeling great and really strong I knew I could make something happen today, but I was going to have to really want it to make the time.
3. Are you aware that currently your time today is #1 in the nation for Milesplit?
After the race I thought my time would be really high in the national rankings but I didn’t know it was going to be number one. My mom texted me when the team was out eating and told me I was number one on the Milesplit rankings and I was amazed, I didn’t even really know what to think of it, just stunned! I thought that was awesome and I’m really thankful I got out there today and ran County with the conditions we had.
4. Are you going to modify your training to peak at Foot Locker now with a great opportunity to qualify for National Championships?
Coach Brown, Coach Williams, and I had set up my training to ultimately peak around Footlocker from the start in the season and aim for a top ten finish at Regionals but now knowing what kind of shape I’m in, I am definitely going to set up my training and focus more to pull out a really good time at McAlpine.
5. Do you believe Chapel Hill can make a great run at State and have a podium shot?
Our guys have been running great all season and we have had some younger guys that have really amazed all of us and stepped up running awesome. If our training keeps going smooth and our momentum continues I think our team is really going to put up a fight for getting on that podium.
6. Have you noticed the amazing times Amanda Winslow has ran for Collins Hill?
Yes I have! She has been so smooth all season and seeing her run at Coach Wood really let me know what she is made of. I think right now she is so strong and is still moving forward consistently putting up good race times each week. What is awesome is that she has a little sister, sophomore I think, running behind her in the mix for Collins Hill and that’s crazy. I can’t wait to see what Collins Hill runs at state with the stout girls they have behind them.
7. What are your goals for the remainder of the Ga HS season and post-season?
We have Region and State left for our school season coming up and Region is being hosted at Clinton, the same course we ran today. Right now I want to see how much I can push it at Region at Clinton and see if I can knock some more seconds off of the time I posted today. After that I want to go to State and go for the win with a great time at Carrollton. I haven’t had a really impressive time at the state course so far, so I want to aim for a really good time on the course on November 8. Finishing off I want to go to Footlocker and be fresh and in really good shape to get a fast time and a top ten finish. A big goal right now would be breaking 15 at McAlpine in November and getting a top ten so I can compete in San Diego.
8. What is your favorite memory of your HS career thus far?
Getting that time today and really breaking through was awesome for me and is something I will always remember, but another time that sits as my favorite HS memory in Cross Country so far is last year at State when I won, our guys team won, and our girls team won all in the same day. That was incredible for all of us! I can remember how stunned all of us were and the WHOLE team was so pumped! That one is definitely my favorite because it wasn’t just one of us that day that stood out, but all of us together and being there with my team as State Champions felt like the best feeling in the world. We all got to share it together and coming out on top that day was awesome.
I really appreciate this and thank you for giving me the opportuniy!
Taylor Lord