With the 2014 cross country season just around the corner it's time to start our "Watch List" highlighting the top returners. Senior Dani Jones from Desert Vista 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: Dani Jones (Dani's Milesplit Profile)
High School: Desert Vista
Year of Graduation: 2015
Best time in a 5K and a 3 Mile Race:
5k: 17:19
3 Mile: 16:45
When did you get started as a running:
I started out playing soccer before I transitioned into track as an eighth grader. My plan was to play soccer for NAU. I was going to improve dramatically and then go pro (haha). Luckily, my little sister Bay snapped me out of that crazy dream. I joined her one season with the Arizona Cheetahs Track Club and never looked back. She’s my favorite running partner - drives me nuts at home of course but I’m lucky to have her.
Which meets will you be running this year?
I have a lot of great racing opportunities ahead of me this season. I’m hitting the ground running this year with my first race being in California. Woodbridge is a 3 mile course that’s very fast and very competitive! Going to the beach the next day with the team is just a bonus. A week later my team will be traveling to Oregon. We were fortunate enough to be invited to Nike Pre Nationals in Portland and I’m so excited to race at the NXN course once again! After that we have Twilight, State, Nike SW Regionals, and NXN. It’s going to be a great year!
What are your goals for the upcoming track season? What do you look forward to the most?
Every year I like to sit down with my coach or just simply write down my goals for the season. I always have a time range in mind for the 5k but placing means more to me during the fall season. My freshman and sophomore year I struggled mentally during cross country and never set goals for myself. As a junior I began to enjoy the sport a lot more and grew a lot as a person and as an athlete. This year I can combine my experience and maturity and I’m hoping to have a breakout season this fall. Most of all, I want to help my team reach new heights this year. We have an amazing group of girls and I can’t wait to show everyone what we can do!
How is your summer training going? Your favorite workout? What kind of summer mileage do you run?
I’ve had the best summer of my running career. After the dream mile and ten days of rest I began building my mileage again. My team traveled up to Flagstaff for a 6 day running camp. Running in the cool weather and elevation was very beneficial and I was able to hit my highest running volume of the summer. As of right now, I am averaging 50 miles a week. I can’t decide what my favorite workout is but it would probably be between mile repeats and long runs. Mile repeats are tough but manageable if you hit your paces throughout the entire workout. It’s a “Go now and pay later” kind of workout. I love long runs because you can get into a rhythm of running sub 7’s and it feels great!
Do you cross train (lift, swim, bike etc)?
I cross train and lift. I have double days twice a week and I cross train the evening after my workout days in order to incorporate some extra aerobic work without putting a lot of stress on my legs. I usually aqua job because I don’t think biking does as much for me. Last year, I did not lift and this year I’d like to begin doing so again. Hopefully Coach C can train the scrawny out of me.
Do you follow any kind of nutrition program or watch what you eat?
I do not have a specific meal plan that I follow; however, I try to consume the proper amount of protein and carbohydrates in order to be my best. It’s difficult at times and this year I am definitely going to focus on improving my nutrition. Hydration is big for me as well and I do have a specific schedule for drinking water. I take 4 different supplements a day to help keep up with calcium, vitamin D, vitamin C, and iron.
Have you ever been injured?
Unfortunately, I have experienced a few injuries throughout high school. Last spring I had a stress reaction in my tibia. It put a hold on my season and kept me off the track for about a month. Although I struggled in shorter events, I was lucky enough to have a successful championship season and improve my mile time by ten seconds. Being injured is a very frustrating experience. It’s a long road to racing again, physically and mentally but these injuries are just a part of our sport. I’ve learned that when you’re faced with adversity you just have to stay calm, stay tough, and keep moving forward!
So far in your high school career, what is your favorite cross country race or cross country memory?
My favorite cross country race and memory would have to be NXN last year. I met so many great people and even a couple lifelong friends. The atmosphere was so incredible! The course was really tough, especially being from Phoenix (it was 15 degrees outside) but I finally got an opportunity to race with the best of the best. I remember looking around for a moment after my race. There were so many cameras going off, college coaches scrambling around looking for talent, girls shivering under tents, teams like Wayzata crying with joy and others in defeat. I remember how happy I was at that moment..of course that’s all I remember before I half blacked out and was half carried back to my tent.
What is the best part of running?
The best part about running is much like what I mentioned earlier. I love the challenges that come with the sport. It has really shaped me as a competitor and as a person. Personally, I have a stronger relationship with God because of it.
Out of all your running accomplishments so far, which stands out the most?
The Dream Mile was an unforgettable experience. An All-American title in cross was a great feeling, but I’ve always dreamed of being a miler and that made this track season really special. I think my team tops that though. When I came into the program as a freshman our goal was literally to be the runner up team..winning state never came up and we didn’t even think about Regionals. I actually remember crying at NXR that year because I thought I’d never make it to Portland. Our team has completely transformed and I’m lucky enough to have watched us progress. I can’t wait to lead such a great group of girls this year. It’s going to be the best one yet.
When you are not running what do you like to do?
Eat and watch Friends. Or eat and watch Friends with friends.
How have your coaches influenced you overall?
The adults in my life are responsible for the success I’ve had in the sport. Coach Messer is so dedicated to our team and has been a huge role model for me as well. His work ethic has really influenced our team. He’s turned our program around and I’m so thankful for his support. As an assistant coach and as a mom, Mrs. Jones really keeps me accountable and reminds me everyday that I am as good as I want to be. My dad, reminds me to smile because “I need to have fun”..he has a good point. Also, my running partner and good friend Coach Bernie and my lifting coach, Coach “C”.
Shout outs?
Shout out to my DVCC fam for all the support and good times. Love you guys
Quick 6:
Favorite Post-race Meal?
Pizookie
Kind of shoes you train in?
Brooks
Flat course or hills?
Flat.....haven't reached that point of insanity - sorry.
Facebook or Twitter?
Neither
Hot or cold weather?
Hm....probably cold. Running in arm sleeves in Portland was pretty intense.
Favorite song at the moment?
Anything Grouplove or Mumford, or PHOX - can't pick one.
