As we head off into the blue skies and sunny weather of spring track (if only), we still have some catching up to do. There were so many quality athletes in New York State, that we didn't get a chance to speak with all of them. So were bringing you a new feature called "Catching Up," where we get to talk to some of the athletes that have been showing success in the parts of the state we may not always get to. First up for the girls is Eileen O'Hara, out of Webster Thomas in Section 5. The winner at the Section 5 State Qualifier for the 1500m, her senior season has included trips to the XC and Indoor State Meet, inlcluding a podium finish at the latter. What did she have to say about the experience? Check it out below.
You're coming off a great Indoor Season. Talk about some of your big early season meets, where you started to realize that your xc prowess had transferred over to track. What were some of the big races you had in that early season?
I ran the 1500m at the first two meets we had this season. We hadn't done any speed work yet, but I was able to come within a few seconds of my PR from last Spring. It gave me a lot of confidence moving forward. I knew that I was stronger than I had been last year, and I knew that I could bring my time down even more with some good speed workouts. In mid-January, I ran the 3k against some great competition at the Trent Jackson Invitational, and I was able to hit the state standard. That was my first big invitational of the season, and probably my most key race early on.
You seem to have a lot of range in the races your run, dropping down to the 1000m (NY#7), and your able to transfer that speed to your 3000m as well (NY #8). Does your speed in the shorter races inform your race strategy for some of the longer efforts?
Definitely! I think that knowing that I can run a decent 1000m makes the 3000m seem less intimidating. I have been trying to focus on running even splits in all of my races this season. Knowing that I have the ability to run faster splits in the shorter races makes my goal pace for the longer races seem more achievable.
You seem to have a lot of range in the races your run, dropping down to the 1000m (NY#7), and your able to transfer that speed to your 3000m as well (NY #8). Does your speed in the shorter races inform your race strategy for some of the longer efforts?
Definitely! I think that knowing that I can run a decent 1000m makes the 3000m seem less intimidating. I have been trying to focus on running even splits in all of my races this season. Knowing that I have the ability to run faster splits in the shorter races makes my goal pace for the longer races seem more achievable.
How did you make the decision to shoot for the 1500m at State Qualifiers? You been pretty evenly split between the 3k and the 1500m all season, in terms of which you raced.
I ran a PR in the 1500m three weeks before State Qualifiers. I knew that I had only gotten stronger since then, and I just felt ready to run fast. I was also ranked a little bit higher in NY for the 1500m than I was for the 3000m. I decided to run the 3k at Sectionals, the week before, because the 1500m always seems so short after running that!
You had big pressure from Katie Lembo during the qualifier, what was going through your mind as your coming up on the finish line, and another great miler was right with you?
I love running against Katie! She is such a great competitor. I was a little jumpy going into the race, and I started off pretty fast. I knew that it might have been too fast, but I was going for a goal time, so I tried to hold on to the pace. I also didn't know exactly where Katie was in comparison to me, so I just kept going. She put on the pressure so that I couldn't let up on the pace at all.
Okay, so you've now qualified for the state meet in the 1500m. As the seeds come out, and you see who is in your race, what's going through your mind?
I wasn't very surprised by the seeds. It was most of the same names that I had been seeing all season on Milesplit. I was excited that I was seeded 3rd, but it also made me nervous. It was going to be the best competition that I had ever raced against. Everyone's times were so close together that anything could happen. I think that's when it hit me that if I had a good race, I could place really well, but if I was just slightly off, I might not even make the podium.
Talk us through your race at states. How did the race play out?
There was a little bit of elbowing at the beginning of the race. Everyone was fighting to get into position. We were all in such a tight pack, and I was somewhere in the middle. I was able to move up to second place and run off of first place's shoulder for a couple of laps. It was a surprisingly comfortable pace, so I decided to take the lead, which I held for about a lap. With two laps to go, Sabrina Southerland shot out from behind and took a huge lead. I maintained second place until I was out-kicked at the very last second. That always stings, but I guess it was bittersweet, because I was still excited about my place.
How does it feel to leave your last indoor season in high school on top of a medal podium at Cornell, as well as NY #5 in the event?
I couldn't have asked for a better end to my indoor season, especially my senior year. Making it to states has been a goal of mine for years, but it wasn't until this year that I knew I had a shot at making it onto the podium. I achieved one of my goals, which is the best feeling ever!
Talk us through your race at states. How did the race play out?
There was a little bit of elbowing at the beginning of the race. Everyone was fighting to get into position. We were all in such a tight pack, and I was somewhere in the middle. I was able to move up to second place and run off of first place's shoulder for a couple of laps. It was a surprisingly comfortable pace, so I decided to take the lead, which I held for about a lap. With two laps to go, Sabrina Southerland shot out from behind and took a huge lead. I maintained second place until I was out-kicked at the very last second. That always stings, but I guess it was bittersweet, because I was still excited about my place.
How does it feel to leave your last indoor season in high school on top of a medal podium at Cornell, as well as NY #5 in the event?
I couldn't have asked for a better end to my indoor season, especially my senior year. Making it to states has been a goal of mine for years, but it wasn't until this year that I knew I had a shot at making it onto the podium. I achieved one of my goals, which is the best feeling ever!
Talk about your time at Nationals. It was your first time at the Armory, in a national caliber race, and you finished well. What was the experience like?
Thank you! Going to Nationals was awesome! I think it was worth going just for the experience. It was so cool to be surrounded by so many fast people. It really opened my eyes to the fact that there is a whole other level when it comes to high school track. I had also never ran on a banked track before, so that was definitely different!
You are now moving on to Spring Track. What are some of your goals that you've set for yourself?
You are now moving on to Spring Track. What are some of your goals that you've set for yourself?
I am hoping for a lot of things this Spring. Hopefully some of the momentum I built up during indoor will carry over! I definitely want to qualify for and run well at states, although I don't know whether I will go for the 1500m or the 3000m. I would love to go to Outdoor Nationals, too!
What is your favorite type of workout, what do you feel really works for you?
What is your favorite type of workout, what do you feel really works for you?
I love steady state runs. I think they are the most difficult type of run for me, but after I finish, I feel so good. We mostly do them early in the season, when we are building a base.
You've signed on to run at Binghamton in the Fall. What was the decision maker to attend?
You've signed on to run at Binghamton in the Fall. What was the decision maker to attend?
I loved Binghamton ever since the first time I visited! I felt comfortable there. It's the perfect size, and it has a great biology program and a great running program. I'm so excited to go!
Now some easy questions.
Favorite song to run too
I usually don't run with music! I just have my thoughts :)
Favorite thing to do with the team when you're not running
Pasta parties!
Favorite snack
Goldfish!
Favorite place to run
Webster Park! We run there all the time, but it never gets old. There are some really great trails.
Favorite place to run
Webster Park! We run there all the time, but it never gets old. There are some really great trails.
Best advice you can give the freshmen on your team.
Work hard. If you put in the effort, you will see results. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen.
