Name:
Rylan Stubbs
School: Campo Verde High School
Grade: Sophomore
Where are you from and when did you begin competitive running?
I was born in Oklahoma City and moved to Arizona when I was very young. I have lived in Gilbert most of my life and began competitive running in 7th grade when I ran for the South Valley Junior High track team.
What does a typical training week look like for you?
Mondays are typically quality days, usually consisting of track repeats or tempo runs. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are usually easy days, while Wednesdays are hills and Saturdays are long runs.
What is something that helps you mentally prepare for a race?
I envision the race beforehand in my head and walk through the different parts of the course and different aspects of the race.
What's your favorite XC memory?
It's either between my Twilight race freshman year, where I ran a minute and a half PR going from 17:25 to 16:04, or this year's Desert Solstice, where I broke 16 minutes for the first time and ran a 15:41.
(Photo by Josh Applebach)
What's your favorite pre-race meal?
My favorite pre-race meal is definitely penne pasta. Whether it's a team pasta party or if I'm eating at my house, I always find myself eating penne and grilled chicken.
What's your season goal?
My season goal is to break 15:30 in the 5k and win the Division 2 State Championship, both individually and as a team.
Do/Did you have any role models on the team or from years past?
Lucky Schreiner. Even though he graduated before I got to high school, I have always looked up to him.
What's one piece of advice he gave you?
He stressed the importance of following Coach Applebach's workouts.
What motivational advice of your own do you give the younger athletes?
I always tell them to set a goal, do their best, and even if they don't achieve the goal, be happy with their performance and know that they did their best because everyone has bad days.
(Photo by Anna Rodriguez)
Do you have a favorite pro-runner/athlete?
I have always liked Meb Kflezighi because he is an amazing runner and is very humble and modest, despite being one of the best runners in the world.
What's your favorite subject in school? Why?
I enjoy Chemistry because I love learning about of the chemical reactions and how they form the world around us.
Will you be racing any post-season meets (NXN or FL West)?
I will be racing at NXR Southwest, hoping to obtain a new personal record.
What's something unique about you outside of running?
I enjoying acting, sketch comedy, and lip syncs.
