We continue the watch with many more athletes to profile! Good luck to everyone! See you on the course!
Journal Questions:
Name: Margaret Brennan
High School:
Xavier College Preparatory
Year of Graduation: 2013
Best time in a 5K and a 3 Mile Race:
Best 5k: 20:57 Best 3 mile: 19:11
What are your goals for the upcoming season:
My goal is to complete a 5k race in 18:45 and a 3 mile race in 18:15. I have worked very hard for this season and know thatHanael already significantly faster than last year and I intend to continue improving.
How is your summer training going? Your favorite workout? What kind of summer mileage do you run?
My summer training went phenomenally! Since I was not in town all summer, I was not able to train with my team, but I definitely ran more consistently than I have any previous summers. I also kept in contact with Coach Messer all summer so he was able to send me my workouts. My favorite workout is definitely "The Beast". It is full of hill surges but the views provide all the motivation needed. I probably ran about 35 miles per week this summer.
How long have you been running and how did you get started:
I have been running since my freshman year when I decided to try out for track in the spring. I never imagined becoming as serious about running as I am now. Before I knew it Coach Van Sickle had me running with the morning group and I never wanted to stop!
Will you be competing out of State this season? If so, when and where?
I will be competing at Mt. SAC in California on October 20th.
What are your favorite courses and the toughest courses to run in State and out of State.
My favorite course is at Toga Sticks Golf Course, the one we run at Twilight. I love the flatness but most specifically the fact that the race is at night, in the dark, and it is so much cooler out. The toughest race I have experienced was George Young. This race no longer exists but all I can remember from it was the grueling heat.
So far in your high school career, what is your favorite cross country race or cross country memory?
My favorite race is Twilight. I love everything about that race. My favorite cross country memory is from one of our long runs at ASU in Tempe. We were finishing the last half of our 95 minute run, when Shelby stepped on something sharp that went through the sole of her shoe and was poking her foot. It looked like plastic, and five of us huddled around her shoe, each trying to pull it out. We couldn't get it out with our finger nails so I decided to see if my teeth could get a better grip. I bit the "plastic", pulled, and out came a bird's talon. I spit it out so fast and was so disgusted. The team just couldn't stop laughing at me. It was funny..looking back.
When you are not running what do you like to do?
When I'm not running I'm either doing schoolwork or at The Village for yoga or some other fun exercise class. I love it there, everyone is so active and the best thing after a long, stiffening run is a good stretch.
Do you cross train (lift, swim, bike etc)?
I love to cross-train! It rejuvenates my legs. I hardly ever swim, but I use the elliptical and participate in cycling classes at The Village. I actually find my legs to be more refreshed for practice the next morning if I do a second workout after school.
Do you think you would like to run competitively after high school?
I would love the experience of being on a college team. However, My primary focus is on the academic caliber of the school rather than a school that has a great cross country team. In other words, I will choose the school I will go to based on the education they can offer me. If running helps me get accepted into that school, I would love to do that. But I won't ever choose the school that has a better running program than its educational program.
What were your favorite Olympic sports and did they inspire you in any way?
My favorite Olympic sport is the synchronized swimming. I love the precision! The most inspiring are swimming and track. That is probably because I used to be a swimmer and am now a runner so I can relate more to those athletes and appreciate how much work it took them to achieve such a goal.
Quick Six:
Favorite Pre-race Meal?
Oatmeal with banana slices.
Kind of shoes you train in?
Nike and Asics
Favorite athlete (running or otherwise)?
Gabby Douglas
Favorite TV show or movie?
Grey’s Anatomy!
Favorite song?
Home -Edward Sharpe and the Magbetic Zeros
Favorite quote?
"It's never too late to be what you might have been."