With the 2014 cross country season just around the corner it's time to start our "Watch List" highlighting the top returners. Desert Vista sophomore Baylee Jones 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: Baylee Jones (Baylee's Milesplit Profile)
High School:
Desert Vista High School
Year of Graduation: 2017
Best time in a 5K and a 3 Mile Race:
5k: 17:48
3 Mile: 17:28
When did you get started as a running:
I started running when I was nine for a USATF track club called the Arizona Cheetahs. I really think the reason I fell in love with running was through the amazing experiences I had running for the cheetahs and I am so grateful for getting to spend four years with such an incredible group of people.
Which meets will you be running this year?
This year my team and I will be heading to Woodbridge Invitational, Nike Pre Nationals, Desert Twilight, Tempe City, the Arizona State Meet, and following NXR, NXN is most definently in sight!
What are your goals for the upcoming track season? What do you look forward to the most?
As far as goals go I could talk all day about big races and big times, but my main goal this year is to stay healthy. I've had my fair share of injuries and I'm not looking to experience any of them again. So while I have many goals in mind, I'm going to make the right decisions and hopefully the times and races will come with them.
How is your summer training going? Your favorite workout? What kind of summer mileage do you run?
There was never a dull day at Desert Vista summer training. My summer consisted mostly of running, cross training, sleeping, and repeating. So much so that when I got back to school that's all I had to say when I was asked how my summer had gone! I don't know what my favorite workout was but some of our workouts included mile repeats on Pecos and steady long runs on South Mountain and at ASU. This summer I averaged about 40-50 miles.
Do you cross train (lift, swim, bike etc)?
Yes! I actually love aqua jogging, I've been doing it for about a year now so I try to get in the pool about 2-4 times a week.
Do you follow any kind of nutrition program or watch what you eat?
I don't follow a specific nutrition plan but I try to eat as healthy as I can while making sure I get the right amount of everything throughout the day. I also take supplements to make up for anything I'm not getting through my meals.
Have you ever been injured?
I wish I could say that I'm one of those runners who never gets hurt. Throughout my transition into more competitive running I have faced some problems like stress reactions, but I've been healthy for quite some time now and I'm looking to keep it that way!
So far in your high school career, what is your favorite cross country race or cross country memory?
Last year I had some pretty amazing opportunities at meets like Arcadia and Woodbridge but my favorite cross country race last year was Desert Twilight. I ran my fastest time there and winning the team title was a huge part our whole season. But of course the highlight of the night was course pick up with the DVCC squad.
What is the best part of running?
This is a hard question because I've never really known why I love running so much. I feel like there's so much that you can get out of it and it's so much different from anything else I've ever done. At the end of the day, I think it comes down to being able to push yourself to the goals you want to accomplish and I've definently learned a lot from being able to do that over the few past years.
Out of all your running accomplishments so far, which stands out the most?
I think my freshman year was definently a learning experience for me. At races like Woodbridge and Arcadia, I really struggled adjusting to having 40 girls on the starting line for a two mile or 300 for a 5K. I really think my biggest accomplishment was being able to learn through the experiences I had at these races. I'm so grateful for every race I ran in last year. I'm certainly looking to make this list a lot longer next year!
When you are not running what do you like to do?
When I'm not running, I'm usually with friends and family, but not going to lie if watching Netflix was a hobby I'd put that on here too.
How have your coaches influenced you overall?
I've had so many coaches that have impacted my running career. All my coaches at the cheetahs, I was so blessed to be apart of that team because they brought out the love for running I didn't know I had. Of course, everyone at DV; there are so many coaches that have all helped me throughout my career in some way and I'm so grateful to have all of them.
Shout outs?
To Coach Hanson: for making me do cross country in the first place when I thought I was only a track runner and to Coach C: although you've never officially been my coach I've realized that you never had to be to inspire me like you do.
Quick 6:
Favorite Post-race Meal?
Pizookie
Kind of shoes you train in?
Brooks Ghost
Flat course or hills?
Flat
Facebook or Twitter?
Hot or cold weather?
Favorite song at the moment?
"Itchin' on a Photograph" by Grouplove or "Sweet Disposition" by
The Temper Trap
