Biography Full Name: Renee Elizabeth Kulik
Date of Birth: 04/21/92
Brothers/Sisters: Kevin and Alyssa
Hobbies: Piano for eight years, hanging out with friends, shopping
Personal Bests: 5k-19:01
Academic Interest: Biology
scrunners: What were you thinking going into the state meet?
kulik: I was hoping our team would win, and that I would get all-state.
scrunners: Do you feel having a brother and sister on the team has helped your running? Explain.
kulik: Yes, when I see Alyssa in the distance in a race, it motivates me to go faster. Kevin and Alyssa sometimes run with me when we don't have practice.
scrunners: How did your race unfold at the state meet?
kulik: I usually don't start out too fast, and there was a pretty big pack in front. I managed to keep on passing people and picked them off one by one. I ended up finishing sixth.
scrunners: Did you achieve what you wanted? Explain.
kulik: Yes, at the beginning of the season, I was running a lot slower than now. I never thought I would get all-state, but toward the end of the season it became my goal.
scrunners: Do your team achieve their goals?
kulik: Yes, even when two of our top seven girls from last year graduated we still won state and had many other wins.
scrunners: At the starting line, what were you thinking and feeling?
kulik: I was really nervous, but also excited. I wanted to do good for the team and individually.
scrunners: Did your team do something the night before to stay motivated?
kulik: We went to Olive Garden and our Coach talked to us about the race. The girls prayed and talked about what we needed to do the next day.
scrunners: Over the season, what kind of training did you undergo, in preparation for state?
kulik: I ran a lot of miles over the summer, and kept them up during the season, while adding speed workouts.
scrunners: Are you running other cross country meets now that the season? If so, please list.
kulik: I was planning on running Footlocker, but my family is going to Florida for Thanksgiving.
scrunners: At an overall view, what did you think of the state meet and its competition?
kulik: The competition was great for me individually. Overall, the meet has tough team competitors.
scrunners: What kind of improvement have you seen in the sport over the years?
kulik: In the three years I've been running, our team has improved tremendously, and people have shown more respect for cross country because of that.
scrunners: Following the state meet, does your team celebrate? Explain.
kulik: Yes, we had a party at my neighborhood's clubhouse to celebrate how good we did.
scrunners: On the Sandhills course, where is the most challenging location? Explain.
kulik: The hill when you come out of the woods. It is right near the two-mile mark, and you have to get up and over it in order to finish strong.
scrunners: How much rest do you take after cross country?
kulik: Two to three weeks.
scrunners: Is this an active rest?
kulik: Not really, but sometimes I bike just to keep my muscles active.
scrunners: Are you running track?
kulik: Yes.
scrunners: What events are you thinking to run?
kulik: The 3200-meter relay, the mile, and the two-mile.
scrunners: What event has been your favorite in the past? Why?
kulik: The two mile because I love long distance, and that's as long as it gets in track. I like it because it's not too fast, and not as long as a 5k.
scrunners: Who has been your biggest individual and team competitor all season? Explain.
kulik: I didn't really have one person in particular that I wanted to beat, I just tried to stay near all my team mates in the race. One of our team competitors was Morristown West from Tennessee that we were neck and neck with at Furman.
scrunners: When did you start to run?
kulik: The summer before my seventh grade year.
scrunners: Do you remember your first race? Explain.
kulik: I was nervous and had no clue how to pace myself. I tried to watch for the people I ran with in practice. I ended up running it in 24 minutes.
scrunners: What kind of training did you undergo over the summer?
kulik: I trained with our team, and we put in a lot of miles.
scrunners: Did you attend a running camp, if so which one?
kulik: Brevard Distance Runners Camp.
scrunners: What did you learn at the camp?
kulik: Practical stuff like eating right, and mental things like how to prepare for a race and how to become a champion.
scrunners: What meet has been the most challenging this year? Explain.
kulik: Furman was probably the most challenging meet for our team because we had out of state competition that we just barely beat.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured? Explain.
kulik: No major injuries.
scrunners: What keeps you motivated to get out the door on a daily basis for life and athletics?
kulik: I know that running ultimately makes me a stronger, tougher, better person.
scrunners: What would you consider your most challenging race? How did you fare in this event?
kulik: Great American was probably my and my team's most challenging race. It was like 100 degrees outside and humid. The course was hilly, and there was some really tough competition. Our team didn't do so great.
scrunners: What do you look for in a coach and what do you expect a coach to look for in you?
kulik: I look for a coach that expects nothing but the best that you can give, and makes you work to your best ability in running and in life.
scrunners: Are you looking to compete in college athletics? Why?
kulik: I think I would like to compete in college if I keep on improving. I love running, and I think it is the best way I can spend my time.
scrunners: Do you think you will ever coach the sports? If so, why and what level?
kulik: If I ever did go into coaching, it would be at the high school level because I could help teenagers strive to be the best they could be.
scrunners: How does your training vary from one season to the other?
kulik: We usually do high mileage and longer intervals in cross country and a little lower mileage and shorter intervals in track.
scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
kulik: Travel the world (especially Europe)! I would also like to train for a marathon and win one!