Jenny - After a 2nd place finish at the state XC meet in 2010 you fall back some in 2011. You are coming off a strong track season that ended with a trip to the MoMileSplit.com All Star Mile at the Festival of Miles. Tell us about your preparation for this upcoming season?
I gave up soccer last spring so I'm just focusing on running and I love every part of it. This whole summer I'd wake up at 5am before it got too hot to get my run in. By the end of the summer I was doing 55 mile weeks that included 10 or 11 mile long days. I feel a lot stronger than I've ever felt.
I understand you have had some injury challenges to overcome. How are you doing now?
Last year a soccer injury gave me a late start for cross country. But I was back training hard for the track season. I had a full training routine all this summer, working up to 55 mile weeks before season. But then I was out two weeks from turning my ankle stepping in a hole at practice, and from a mycoplasma infection in my lungs. Finally I got to do my first race last weekend. So I'm just now getting back into the rhythm of things. Breathing is tough, and I'm still on an inhaler and meds, but I'm feeling a lot better.
You started the year with a win at the home meet - Are you taking time to enjoy your senior season?
Yes, my senior year has been a blast! Last weekend I was crowned Homecoming Queen
You won the award for the most loyal fans at the state meet a few years ago. Is there a story there?
Haha I miss those boys , they were my teammates freshman year. They said that they had a surprise for me when I got on the bus to go to the State Meet, then they took off their shirts and I saw they had JENNY written on them. Running to keep up with them is one reason I did so well my freshman year.
Where do you race next?
My next race is at Camdenton on Saturday. Big schools will be there so I'm excited to see how it goes.
