Name: Hociel Landa
School: Brophy College Preparatory
Year: Senior
When did you begin competitive running?
I started running competitively my sophomore year on Brophy's cross country team.
Is it true that you were a thrower at one point? What was it like to switch to distance running?
Yes, I did throw discuss and shot put in track back in 8th grade and my freshman year at Brophy. Switching to distance running came with pros and cons. Practice was only about an hour long, an hour shorter than throwing practice, but I was a lot more fatigued when I got home. It became even harder when morning practice switched to afternoon practice, and on some days the weather was blazing. Racing became my main source of motivation. Every race, I wanted to beat more runners and placed better.
What does a typical training week look like for you?
My typical training week begins with a Sunday long run that is 12-14 miles long. The rest of the week I run an average of 7 miles each day. Workouts are usually Tuesdays and Thursdays or they could be on Mondays and Wednesdays; it depends on when/if we are racing that week.
What is something that helps you mentally prepare for a race?
I like to avoid thinking about my upcoming races too much. I usually will hang out with friends before a race or watch a movie if I'm alone.
(Photo by Ben Crawford)
What's your favorite memory from Track?
Getting one of Brophy's varsity singlets.
You've signed with Rice University which is where other Brophy greats like Marco Ruiz and Will Firth went. How did you decide to sign with Rice?
Rice was the best place for me because it gave me the opportunity to continue running competitively while studying for my major at one of the best engineering schools in the nation.
What do you intend to study at Rice?
I plan on majoring in electrical or mechanical engineering at Rice.
(The Landas with Coach Keahon on signing day)
Do you have any role models, and if so what's the most valuable thing you've learned from them?
My first running role model was my teammate Luke Mason. He was someone that taught me how to grind, not complain, and have fun. I am very fortunate to be training with him almost every day.
Do you have a favorite pro-runner/athlete?
My favorite pro-runner is Matthew Centrowitz. I got to meet and take a picture with him at the Arcadia Invitational in 2016.
What do you like to do outside of running?
I really like to play basketball and video games with my friends when I'm not busy.
What's something you would like to accomplish before finishing High School?
I really want to create more great memories with my team before I leave high school.
