Biography Full Name: Joshua Walker
Date of Birth: 12/29/88
Brothers/Sisters: Heather Walker
Hobbies: Basketball
Personal Bests: 5k-15:44, 3200m-9:51, 1600m-4:33
Academic Interest: Sports administration
scrunners: What were you thinking going into the state meet?
walker: I thought I had a chance to win, but I knew I would have to run a great race. I knew McDaniel, Blackmon, Huckaby, and Holt would all be tough. They are all great runners.
scrunners: How did your race unfold at the state meet?
walker: I took the lead about three-quarters of a mile into the race and led until about the 2.25 when Blackmon ran beside me until the hill. I separated a little from the back at the hill, but Blackmon and McDaniel came back on me near the finish and I was just fortunate to win in the kick.
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| Lexington's Josh Walker, left, and Northwestern's Stuart McDaniel head toward the finish line Nov. 4 at the state meet. (Photo credit: Kyle Nowlin/scrunners.com) |
walker: Yes, from the beginning of the season my main goal has been to win State.
scrunners: Did your team achieve their goals?
walker: Our main goal was to win region, and we did that. It was Lexington's first Region Championship in nine years so we were pretty excited.
scrunners: At the starting line, what were you thinking and feeling?
walker: I was extremely nervous, but also focused. I knew i wanted the first mile to go out pretty fast.
scrunners: Did your team do something the night before to stay motivated?
walker: We just had a meeting after practice and went over what we needed to do.
scrunners: Over the season, what kind of training did you undergo, in preparation for state?
walker: At the beginning of the season I tried to keep my mileage pretty high, and doing workouts such as mile repeats. As the season progressed I slowly dropped my mileage and the workouts turned to 800s, then 400s, and eventually 200s.
scrunners: Are you running other cross country meets now that the season is over?
walker: I am running Footlocker in a couple weeks. I think it will be interesting to see how the South Carolina runners will fare.
scrunners: At an overall view, what did you think of the state meet and its competition?
walker: The competition was great. I felt going into the Class 4A race that several runners had a good chance to come out on top.
scrunners: What kind of improvement have you seen in the sport over the years?
walker: I think it is steadily improving in competition and support. I also think cross country has always been a sport that shows good sportsmanship.
scrunners: Following the state meet, does your team celebrate? Explain.
walker: We all enjoyed some burgers and fries after the meet.
scrunners: On the Sandhills course, where is the most challenging location?
walker: The hill would be most runners answer, and it is tough, but for me the hardest part is after the hill when you are really hurting and you have that windy last mile.
scrunners: How much rest do you take after cross country?
walker: I usually take about 10 days off before training starts for track season.
scrunners: Is this an active rest?
walker: No, I usually do not run at all during this time. I use it as a mental rest just as much as a physical rest.
scrunners: What events are you thinking to run in track?
walker: My main events will be the 1600 and 3200, but I will also run the 800 and 400 periodically.
scrunners: scrunners: What event has been your favorite in the past? Why?
walker: The 3200 is my favorite. I just enjoy the longer races. I also feel I am better at them.
scrunners: Who has been your biggest individual and team competitor all season?
walker: Individually, James Jackson from Aiken is a strong runner and gave me all I could handle in the region. South Aiken was our biggest team competitor and has been for a while.
scrunners: When did you start to run?
walker: I started running Cross Country in the seventh grade.
scrunners: Do you remember your first race?
walker: I do, I ran a 22:30 and got sick. It was not exactly a highlight race.
scrunners: What kind of training did you undergo over the summer?
walker: Mainly just getting my mileage up.
scrunners: Did you attend a running camp?
walker: I did not attend a running camp.
scrunners: What meet has been the most challenging this year?
walker: By far the state meet, the competition there was the best I have faced this season.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured?
walker: Nothing more than a pulled muscle here and there.
scrunners: How did you stay motivated during this time?
walker: It is frustrating to have set backs, but I've never had to take more than a week or two off, so it wasn't too difficult.
scrunners: Did you cross train while injured?
walker: No.
scrunners: What keeps you motivated to get out the door on a daily basis for life and athletics?
walker: Goals, goals in running, school, whatever I need motivation in, I just set goals for down the line.
scrunners: What would you consider your most challenging race?
walker: This years' state meet again, the competition was just great.
scrunners: How does your training vary from one season to the other?
walker: It's usually alike, just more mileage each season.
scrunners: Are you looking to compete in college athletics?
walker: Yes, mainly because I love the sport and hope to be involved in it for a long time.
scrunners: What do you look for in a coach and what do you expect a coach to look for in you?
walker: In a coach I would look for knowledge of the sport, dedication to the team, and the desire to make the team better. A coach should also look for leadership abilities, and again dedication to the team, and the desire to make the team better.
scrunners: Do you think you will ever coach the sport? If so, why and what level?
walker: I could see myself coaching at some point in my life. I am not sure what level I would prefer, but I would do it out of love of the sport.