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Kaylin Mahoney Athlete of Week
October 9th, 2008 Saugus
photo Rich Gonzalez
Saugus HS soph star honored for super start to 2008 Fall
By Doug Speck - Editor DyeStatCal (selection assistance from Rich Gonzalez and Mike Kennedy)
The leader of one of the nation's #2 ranked squad that also leads the Golden State has been flying this Fall. A super ninth grade year had her end as the nation's top 3200 meter runner among first year preps, with huge potential for her school's 2008 Fall harrier squad. The group has let no one down, with a series of stunning performances, led by our DyeStatCal Athlete of the Week, soph Kaylin Mahoney from Saugus HS. Kaylin was good enough to take some time out from a busy Fall to answer some questions for us below. A recent local news article had her doing a favorite team tough hill workout on a Saturday morning, then take her place on the homecoming court for her grade that evening at the football game.
DyeStatCal - A Super run at the Kenny Satub Invitational with your 17:51 that had you win pretty comfortably. What was the background leading up to the race. How did you approach it, how did you feel, and were your thoughts on your time? (Saw you ran 18:31 there in League Finals last year) - Explain--
Kaylin Mahoney - I prepared myself for this race just like any other, a good night's rest, and mentally just trying to not over think the race. The weather was perfect for racing, and my whole team felt good and ready to race. I really did not know my time from last year, but seeing it right now, it is a pleasant surprise to know I was able to get a big PR. We
weren't racing for time, we raced for effort.
DSC - You had a good 2007 Cross-Country season with a seventh in the State meet and fifth in the Southern Section. What is the difference between Kaylin Mahoney the cross-country runner at this point last year in 2007 and this year in 2008?
KL - This year I feel a lot more confident. My entire perspective has changed looking at the season ahead. Now that I have some experience on my record, I can focus on improving times as an individual and as part of the team.
DSC - How much training did you do this summer in preparation for this Fall? About how many minutes or miles per day or week did you cover?
KL - After taking off five weeks due to my knee injury from Track, I jumped right into training with the girls. In order to get into shape on time for the season, I had to work twice as hard as usual. This includes cross-training and icing as much as possible. I worked my mileage up
slowly, but by the end of summer I was running around 60 miles a week.
DSC - The Saugus team heads out to compete on tough courses and against the top teams regularly. How do you and the squad view these constant challenges week after week?
KL - We just take these big races one at a time. It's too complicated to try and worry about the meets 4 weeks ahead. Preparing for these challenges just takes a lot of mental toughening-up and knowing that although it is going to be tough, we have to push through it for each other. Every meet is a step towards our final goals, state and nationals. We just have to keep positive and run our brains out.
DSC - You had a great track season with a 10:25.40 3200 meter best. Which of the two sports, Cross Country or Track, do you like the best and why?
KL - I would have to say I like Cross Country better. I am much more of a team player than wanting to be all on my own. Not only can we push each other, but the courses are more exciting than just running around in circles for ten minutes.
DSC - What meets are you pointing to in the near future and what are some of your goals for the rest of the Fall season?
KL - Mt. Sac is the main focus as of right now. We have been preparing for this for many weeks. We are looking forward to having the chance to lower our record and make an impact in the national rankings. Our goals as a team are to win State, and make it to NXN. If we make it there, we will be in it to win it. As an individual, my only goals are to PR on the courses ahead, and to place higher than last year at both State, CIF, and NXN.
DSC - Do you feel you have any areas of your Cross-Country races that you want to focus on doing a better job with, or with your Track 3200 Meter races? Explain--
KL - I need to work on not hunching over on the uphills. I also need to shorten up my stride, I tend to take too big of steps. For Track, I want to strengthen my kick so that I can go harder for longer.
DSC - What advice would you have for a first year runner in the sport of Cross-Country, who maybe came out as a ninth grader with no running background from middle school?
KL - My advice would be to never give up. Cross-Country is a really tough sport and it sucks up a lot of one's life. Balancing eating well, sleeping long, and getting in school work on time get extremely difficult. Just know that everything gets better. Working hard now, will pay off. Keep in mind what your goals are, and stay positive even when there is a bad race. If there is a bad race, do not dwell on it. It just makes matters worse. Push it aside, and start to focus on the
next one.
DSC - some quick answers:
DSC - favorite training shoe? KL - Nike Free
DSC - favorite racing shoe? KL - Saucony
DSC - opponent(s) I respect the most? KL - Alex Dunne, Jordan Hasay
DSC - favorite night before big meet meal? KL - Pesto pasta and garlic bread!!!!
DSC - meet date behavior or some preparation that is always the same in what way? KL - Before a race, I am very quiet and kept to myself. The amount of nerves I get is ridiculous. I stretch constantly throughout the day, thinking that it will make me run better.
DSC - where do you go to celebrate a great race? KL - IN-N-OUT
DSC - favorite course in Cross-Country? KL - Mt. Sac
DSC - favorite run or workout in Cross-Country? KL - 400 meter repeats.
DSC - in ten years we will find you? KL - making a difference in the world :D
thanks Kaylin
Doug Speck
DyeStatCal
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