Ana Alvarez Tostado Writes Her Own Story

I was born in San Diego, California but moved to Arizona when I was 5 months old. Arizona has always been my home! I began running my freshman year of high school. I practiced Taekwondo when I was younger, but I never really became involved with sports until I started High School. Once I began Cross Country I knew I found my niche and I became dedicated to the sport.

My training week starts with morning practice at 5:30am to 7:00 am, alternating with evening practices starting after school from 3:30pm to 5:00pm. It depends if we have a meet that week or not, but usually morning practices are the hard workouts. As a team, we like to remind ourselves that no matter what day it is, it's a great day to run, no matter how hard or easy!

Before a race I like to be in my own personal bubble while listening to some music. I like to "get in the zone" as it is often phrased. It helps me focus on what I plan to do and to be calm when the unexpected happens in a race. Once I get to the starting line, I jump super high so my legs almost meet my chest. I do this about three times. Then I give the sign of the cross and look ahead, without looking back! It has always helped me prepare mentally.

My favorite cross country meet would have to be the Peaks Invitational. Flagstaff is absolutely beautiful and I love how simple yet challenging the course is, with the hill and the altitude!

Overall, my racing strategy is simply telling myself "go for it". Every race is different, and if I get thrown into a new challenge it's up to me to answer "yes" or "no", just like my team has always taught me. I try to make it a priority to have that mindset in each meet. You experienced a lot of success as a junior.

My junior year was a really hard year. Academically it was challenging, which led me to challenge myself mentally. I learned a lot about myself and my strengths, and am happy to say that I can now apply it to this year. My junior year would be best described in a movie quote. From the movie 'We Bought a Zoo', I learned that, "sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage.

Every year, my primary goal is to win a State Championship as a team. My team inspires me every single day, and I know with our hard work and dedication, that goal is not far from our reach.

I have a lot of people to thank for my success. My parents have always been there for me. As an only child, it can be tough to adapt to your surroundings or make a decision on your own. But I know if I fall, my parents will be there to catch me and assist me to where I want to go. They've been my foundation growing up as a child. I also have my team and my coaches to thank. My girls are strong, beautiful ladies and I look at them for positivity. The boys team are kind, strong gentlemen and I look at them for motivation. My coaches lead the team, and they are strong figures we can rely on.

My favorite subject is English! I am taking two English classes at Salpointe, an Honors class and an Advanced Placement class. I love the creativity, and the thought that anyone can make any story as they wish. I love that there are rules to English, but a writer can go so far as to make their own rules when writing a story.

I love to write some short stories on my own. There is very little time during a school year to create one, but I try to make it a priority! If not that, I love to hike--especially with the team!

If my schedule permits, I would love to run the Nike race held in Casa Grande. I believe it's a few weeks after November 4th. I will see if life will allow me to do so, but until then I'm continuing to look forward to the rest of the 2017 Cross Country Season!