We are starting our Arizona Watch List series and will continue with it for the next few weeks. As the cross country season gets underway new athletes will be added to the list. Good luck to everyone! See you on the course!
Journal Questions:
Name: Julie Vanderhout
High School: Notre Dame Preparatory
Year of Graduation: 2013
Best time in a 5K and a 3 Mile Race:
5k- 19:00.8 2011
3 Mile- 18:58 2009
What are your goals for the upcoming season:
I would love to PR majorly and drop down close to 18:15! As a team, we hope to take back the sectional title that we claimed two years ago and place highly at state. The joy in competing is all about setting difficult goals and reveling in the glory once we finally reach them.
How is your summer training going? Your favorite workout? What kind of summer mileage do you run?
My summer training was so much fun! I ran all over the country as I competed in the Junior Olympic Outdoor Nationals and the Youth Outdoor Championship in the 2000m Steeplechase. I definitely missed my team along the way though. By far my favorite workout is the long mountain run we do at Lost Dog Wash Trail, which my teammates and I can conveniently run to from my house! As for mileage, I actually did not finish track until August so I’m just coming off of my two-week break. Over the summer though, I still maintained a steady mileage with long runs and a ton of much needed speed work!
How long have you been running and how did you get started:
I’ve been running since I was about eight years old. My sister was the reason I started because she was running track and I wanted to be just like her. Both of my parents also ran in high school, so I guess it’s kind of a family thing!
Will you be competing out of State this season? If so, when and where?
Yes, I’m so excited!! My teammates and I will be competing at the Mt. Sac Invitational in California for the first time!
What are your favorite courses and the toughest courses to run in State and out of State.
The best course is definitely Twilight because running in the dark is awesome. The toughest race by far, however, is our sectional meet at Skunk Creek. It’s so HOT!!
So far in your high school career, what is your favorite cross country race or cross country memory?
My favorite memory was my freshman year when my sister and I went 3 and 4 at the 4A II state meet. We got to stand together to receive our medals!
When you are not running what do you like to do?
I couldn’t survive without my friends! We always hop in each other’s cars and go on adventures together in the wild and around Scottsdale. I also enjoy eating as a common pastime with my friend Ryan Melikian.
Do you cross train (lift, swim, bike etc)?
I love strength training! It’s so exhilarating pushing yourself to the limit in different ways than just running.
Do you think you would like to run competitively after high school?
For Sure! I definitely want to compete in college, and I’ll probably end up taking on marathons when I’m older.
What were your favorite Olympic sports and did they inspire you in any way?
I sat in front of the TV all day waiting for the Women’s Steeplechase this year. Even though they put a commercial break right in the middle of the race, it still inspired me to try my hardest because that would be an awesome experience someday.
Quick Six:
Favorite Pre-race Meal?
Mother’s spaghetti marinara
Kind of shoes you train in?
Nike Free 2.0
Favorite athlete (running or otherwise)?
Steve Prefontaine
Favorite TV show or movie?
New Girl
Favorite song?
My Body by Young the Giant
Favorite quote?
“In the cookies of life, friends are the chocolate chips.” -Unknown