With the 2014 cross country season just around the corner it's time to start our "Watch List" highlighting the top returners. Perry junior Cade Burks is our next Watch List athlete.
As the season starts we will continue to add athletes to the list.
Keep checking back as we highlight some of Arizona's best. Good luck to everyone - see you on the course!!
Journal Questions:
Name: Cade Burks (Cade's Milesplit Profile)
High School:
Perry High School
Year of Graduation: 2016
Best time in a 5K and a 3 Mile Race:
5k: 16:20
3 Mile: 15:41
When did you get started as a running:
I have been running for as long as I can remember. Both of my parents did jumps in college, but because my mom was the Higley High School cross country coach I have been around distance running all my life. I started my first track season when I was 9 with the Arizona Cheetahs and ran my first USATF XC races when I was 10. (I wasn’t very good until about 7th grade).
Which meets will you be running this year?
The invitational include Chandler Invite, Mt. Carmel, Doug Conley, Twilight, and our city, sectional, and state meets.
What are your goals for the upcoming track season? What do you look forward to the most?
To win, I guess.
How is your summer training going? Your favorite workout? What kind of summer mileage do you run?
My summer training has been going pretty good. I had to start a bit late because of running at New Balance Nationals this past track season but I have gotten into XC work pretty well. I probably should be hitting a few more miles than I have but I try to make everything quality work with a goal, never am I just going for a run to go for a run, there is a reason for everything. My favorite workout so far this pre-season has to be repeat 1000s we just did. I felt really strong in my form and strength doing basically all of them at 3 minutes flat, hopefully we do them again sometime soon and I can try to do them a bit faster. I get about 40 miles a week.
Do you cross train (lift, swim, bike etc)?
I have continued to get shredded four days a week in my weights class. Lifting weights is kind of my life.
Do you follow any kind of nutrition program or watch what you eat?
Not at all. I live off of cereal and sweet tea.
Have you ever been injured?
Nothing serious, some little pains during 7th grade though.
So far in your high school career, what is your favorite cross country race or cross country memory?
My favorite memory has to be looking really mad in every picture at xc camp this year. I looked disgusted to see a camera in every group picture.
What is the best part of running?
To get to meet people from around the country with the same goals and passion as you. I've been able to meet and have friends all around the country from traveling to meets. There are very few other sports where you can gain the opportunity to travel so much and meet other great athletes. Also being done with a race or run is a pretty nice part of it.
Out of all your running accomplishments so far, which stands out the most?
Winning the Chandler Rotary 800 has to be my biggest accomplishment. I came into that race telling people I wanted to make a name for myself and put myself onto another tier, and I feel like I accomplished that dropping a 1:54 so early in the season. From that point on I wish I ran a bit faster than I did but that just leaves some jobs to be finished my junior XC and track seasons.
When you are not running what do you like to do?
When I’m not running I am typically hanging out with my best friend, Pierre. He is my cat and I love him very much, we have a close bond. I also listen to a lot of music and play more Pokémon than you would suspect. I hang out with friends sometimes too.
How have your coaches influenced you overall?
I have had numerous coaches in my running career. All of them have taught me something that I have included into the way I run. When I run there is a part of every coaching style within my own running style. I'm really glad to have a new coach in Dan Pescador. He was formerly at Highland and Cal State Eastbay and has brought a new attitude to Perry distance running. We will be on the up-and-up for years to come. But regardless I am thankful for all the coaches who have been there on my side helping me progress the way I have and will continue.
Shout outs?
S/O to the superstar Carlos Villarreal for being a cool dude and for killing it on our Great Southwest 4x8 which ran 7:41 (Jordan Gardner and Will McClelland were also on it, so S/O to them too). He's going to be crazy good for Rio Rico this year and is my snapchat best friend. Hopefully I can see you on the course sometime soon bud *wink*
Quick 6:
Favorite Post-race Meal?
Denny's or Jamba Juice are always great after a meet.
Kind of shoes you train in?
Some blue and pink Nike Flyknit Lunar 1's
Flat course or hills?
I'll run whatever is thown in front of me.
Facebook or Twitter?
Twitter - Follow me @badecurks
Hot or cold weather?
Cold weather. Iceland will be my future home.
Favorite song at the moment?
No Trees In The Desert (Acoustic Cover) - John Rolfe, Mitchell McKay, Nick Lara, and Cade Burks
Waiting For Black Metal Records To Come In The Mail - Have a Nice Life
