Athlete Spotlight: Heather Evans York HS

How is your fitness as you begin the 2013 season. What excites you most about the coming year of HS XC?

I think that my fitness is better than it has ever been before. I trained all summer in a positive way. Though sometimes all I wanted to do was sleep in on those hot summer mornings, I pulled myself out of bed and hit the road. I forced myself to enjoy my runs, and a lot of the time I even looked forward to my long run days! This summer I ran about 300-320 miles, which is more than double what I’ve run in past summers. But I don’t feel even slightly fatigued, I enjoyed the whole process! I didn’t do any crazy weekly mileage, never more than 40 miles a week, but I stayed consistent and I focused on keeping a fast pace, especially on the hottest days. I am most excited for when the fall weather really sets in, and for the big races at the end of the season. I can’t wait to run faster than I ever have, and to hopefully impress some college coaches! But I am also excited to watch my team. I have been pulling my team along from the number one position since freshmen year, and after going to State’s last year as an individual, I am anxious to see how this year’s squad will do in the big meets. We have a lot of young talent, but many of them are still getting accustomed to the longer distance, once we get our feet under us, we will be unstoppable! I think our team is going to have a lot of success in the big meets this season.

When & how did you get started in cross country?

I have always been a runner. I ran my first 5k when I was eight. I didn’t do it fast, in fact, I didn’t even realize I was fast until I joined cross country in 6th grade, (because I wanted to be like my big sister, Mallory). I trotted along my first year and did pretty well, but in 7th grade is when I started to win. I loved the feeling of winning; who doesn’t? I grew addicted to that feeling and looked forward to every race because of it. At this point, I established myself as a runner, and to this day that is the word I will give, if I am asked to describe myself. My love for running is hard to describe unless I am talking to a runner. I have attempted other sports; I played softball for 5 years, and basketball for 4, but my favorite part of both was the running, so I decided to run all three seasons. My friends on the football or soccer teams just look at me with a puzzled face when I express my love for running. It is something everyone can do, and something you can do your whole life; no matter where you end up. It is relaxing and energizing, and the best form of exercise. What’s not to love?

What is your favorite cross country race so far in your high school career?

I would have to say that my favorite race was Western Maine’s my freshmen year. Not only because I was the first female runner from York to ever win it, but because no one expected me to win it; not even myself. I love the Falmouth course, I always have. It is a great test of strength, and stamina. I can still remember the point in that race where I began feeling like I wanted to slow down and just settle for second or third, but I shook my head and demanded more. I dug deep and found another gear. I shut off every little negative thought in my brain, and just went for it. I no longer cared about the runners around me, or the bystanders, or anyone. It was me, and the course. Coming down the home stretch seemed to take an hour. After battling with the little voices in my head for that past mile and a half, I couldn’t bear to go any faster. So I let myself hear the bystanders, hear my coach, hear my teammates; and their screaming voices and quick bursts of motivation pushed me through the finish line. I will never relinquish my love to win. What are the keys to your successful cross country training program? In past seasons I have focused on place, I thought that winning was everything. So when I would enter into a race that I wasn’t sure I could win, I would get race anxiety and wouldn’t perform at my highest potential. So far, I haven’t had a state meet go the way I want it to, so after a disappointing 14th place last year, I decided that I was never going to let myself feel that way again. This year I am focusing on time. It doesn’t matter who’s in front of me, or who’s behind me; it’s just me and the clock. One on one. Already I have found more success than I have ever had! In the past I have relied on natural ability and a decent amount of training, but this year is going to be different, this year I’m going to be better than I’ve ever been before.

Who are the cross country competitors you most enjoy competing against and why?

I have made so many friends at various meets, since I’ve been racing the same girls for four years, like I have known Kirstin Sandreuter since we were just kids racing the mile every week during summer track. I don’t know about her, but I looked forward to racing her every week, that’s when I got hooked on the statistics of running. Figuring out who’s running what race in what time, and how I can get the same time. We would go back and forth each week with who beat who, but it was always a friendly rivalry! But I would have to give all the credit I can to Acadian Running Camp. At this camp I have become friends with girls from Northern Maine that I only get to race once a year; in States! I love the entire MDI team, they are the funniest, sweetest, FASTEST, group of girls I’ve ever met! And getting to know more girls on the Falmouth team, like Madeline Roberts, and Aleta Looker from Ellsworth. This camp is awesome because it brings all the teams in Maine together, regardless of ability, class, or gender. Whenever I go to a meet, I see people that I know from this camp. And it feels so good to see a familiar face and know that they will be cheering for you, just as you will be cheering for them.

What are your goals for the 2013 cross country season?

My goal is to be consistently under 20 minutes, to place in the top three at States, and to run in New England’s. I did a 19:40 on my home 3 mile course, and am itching to run a full length course to see what I can do! I am really excited to see how I improve in comparison to last year since I am training at a much higher level than I have in the past.

The Fun Run

What music do you rock while working out…

I don’t like to listen to music when I run, but while doing strength workouts, Shakira is my go to artist. I like most genres though; a little dubstep never fails to make me work hard!

Do you like to run in the mud or the grass…

I love mud. Last week we had a race at Freeport and it was all on trails and was down pouring. We were all covered in muck after the race! Since there was no alternative path, you had to go straight through the puddles and pits of mud, it was awesome.

Do you hang out on Facebook or Twitter...

I don’t have a twitter, but I do use Facebook. I use it mostly to just upload pictures, and keep in touch with friends that I don’t see very often.

Do you like going out or chilling at home…

I love going surfing, hiking, skiing, kayaking, to the beach, ice skating; pretty much anything outdoors! When it’s nice out, you will always find me outside. But on a rainy or cold day I do enjoy staying home and reading or hanging out with my brother and sister.