AZ XC Athlete Spotlight 2020: Jessica Madrid


Round Valley's Jessica Madrid is ranked #3 in Division IV right now. She is also ranked at the #15 junior girl in all of Arizona, and #57 ranked girl runner in Arizona overall.

Jessica took the time to answer some questions for us about herself and the season thus far - here are her responses:


What are your XC goals for this season?

To win state and run fast times among other good runners in the nation.

What has been the strangest thing about training for XC during the pandemic?

The strangest thing about training during the pandemic is not knowing what will happen. Will the meet be canceled this weekend? Will the season end abruptly like track season?

Who is your toughest competition?

Whenever I'm asked this question, I always say, myself. Even though there are some really fast girls I am looking forward to racing; I believe your toughest competition every single race is overcoming yourself. Your legs burning, the voice in your head that tells you to slow down, you're going too fast, you are going to slow, you can't go any faster, or you can't reach your goal.

How are you liking racing in these waves at meets this season?

I have only been to one official meet this year, and it was small enough that they did not have to do waves.

What is the biggest difference you in racing last year to this year?

I'm not really able to make a comparison between meets and races from this year and last year since this is our school's first year in a long time to have a cross country team. So the only comparison I can make is with track meets, and xc meets are very different from track without the guidelines that are in place for COVID. I will say that so far xc has a more friendly, positive atmosphere than track.

Who is your biggest fan/supporter? How do he/she/they show you this support?

One of my biggest fans/supporters is my mom. Driving me to early morning practice. Listening to me rant when I am having a bad day. Making sure I get new running shoes when my current ones have worn out. Driving me hours to do a race. Encouraging me on my bad days, and celebrating with me on my good days. Driving me into the foothills when the wind gets too bad by my house. And even letting me steal her phone so I can listen to music on long runs. I honestly probably couldn't do anything I have accomplished without her.

How was your summer training affected by Covid this summer? What was similar from previous years? What was different about it?

My training this summer was a lot different than other summers. During my freshman year, I was getting ready for soccer (which is in the fall where I live). My sophomore year was my first summer I did "running" training. I was worked on building a strong aerobic base so that if the school board approved for our school to start an xc team, I would be fit enough to do both xc and soccer (No, the school board did not approve xc that year). This summer I made the decision that if xc was approved I was not going to play soccer and would only compete in xc (Yes, xc was approved!).

My summer training was definitely affected by COVID, just probably not like how most athletes. I already used to training by myself, but when quarantine started my training structure completely changed. I used running to help fill the extra time that was on my hands, and I no longer had my coach to structure my mileage, workouts, ex. I decided to enter into a few half marathons (which ended up being canceled). I did double runs almost every day and I started to do a lot of mountain/trail running. And my mileage got really high, anywhere between 85-97miles (Ya, my coach wasn't happy when she found out).

How long have you been running? What do you enjoy most about running/xc?

I started running in 8th grade when one of my soccer coaches who was also coaching middle school track told me I had really good endurance and should try track. But, it wasn't until track season freshman year that I realized I love running. I love how running gives me time to myself where I feel strong and free. It has also given me so many opportunities to try new things and grow as a person.

Is there a song, movie, show, or saying that motivates you or keeps you focused on your goals? If yes, what is it and why?

I don't have a song or saying that motivates me. What gives me motivation is my goals, my religion, my family, my coaches, and my love for running.

What's your pre-race meal?

My pre-race meal kind of depends on what time my race is. If I have an early morning race I like pretty much anything small (carrots, granola bar, apple) with peanut butter. If my race is later in the day I will have baked oatmeal with fruit, almond milk, and peanut butter.

Do you have any superstitions before the night of a race? (Any clothing you have to wear? Song you have to listen to? Food you need to eat? Etc.) If yes, how did this start?

When I first started running I had lots of superstitions before a race, but as I have gotten older I have moved away from that. I realized that I can't always control what happens and if I let that affect me I will struggle during my race because I will be too focused on the things that haven't gone as planned instead of what still can go as planned.

Anything else you wish to share with us that you think is important for our readers to know?

Alma 26:12 - Book of Mormon "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all thingsā€¦" 1 Corinthians 10:31 - "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."