Wren\'s Number Two Runner Daniel Eils

Daniel Eils is the number two runner for Wren High School.

scrunners: When did you start to run?
eils: I started to run in the seventh grade.

scrunners: What made you decide to run?
eils: My primary school gym teacher was the xc coach, he always talked about the runners, so it made me want to run.

scrunners: What kind of goals are you setting for this cross-country season and the future?
eils: It would be nice to win state. I would really like to break 16 at state. I want to do really well this year in track.

scrunners: What kind of training did you undergo this summer?
eils: A bunch. I worked up to 60 miles per week, then just hung around there, hit one 70 mile week, then started dropping back down.

scrunners: How has the training varied from past summers?
eils: I've never really run consistently over the summer before.

scrunners: Since the change from Fort Jackson to Sandhills and back to Fort Jackson for Coaches Classic and state, what course do you like better, why?
eils: Well, I've only run Ft. Jackson once (at the state meet) in seventh grade. I loved it though. I've always disliked sandhills. I'm really excited that it has finally been moved back.

scrunners: The Eye Opener is another course that has moved from a mostly road course to grassy, rolling hills course. Did you run at the SCSDB before the meet moved to Milliken? Which course do you have your best time on? Which course do you like the best, why?
eils: Yeah, I liked the old Eye Opener course a lot. I like road courses better, even though it's not really xc. I only ran the old one in seventh and eight grade, so my best time is on the new one. I still like the new course though.

scrunners: Who do you train with throughout the year?
eils: Brad (Orr), Steven (Craig), and I have trained together pretty much every day since eight grade.

scrunners: What kind of cross-training do you undergo when injured or during the off-season?
eils: Biking or fishing.

scrunners: Did you run any road races this past summer? How were they?
eils: I ran Lou Holtz. It was a pretty fun race. I didn't do as well as I wanted, but it didn't really bother me.

scrunners: When was your first race, ever?
eils: The Eye Opener in seventh grade. I ran a 22:20.

scrunners: What kind of race tactic works best for you in cross-country and track?
eils: Well, I've never really been good enough to have race tactics in xc, but, I'm trying to learn some for this year. In track (in the 800) I like to just cruise the first lap, then go all out the whole second (lap).

scrunners: Who is your biggest rival? Who is Wren's biggest team rival? How did these rivals develop? When do they become the most intense?
eils: Well, my biggest rival isn't really a rival. Brad and I have always pushed each other really hard in practice and races. It's nice to beat him every once in a while, but it's not really what I focus on. It helps us both to train harder though, especially in track when neither of us want to get beat on the last interval. I guess our team rival is Wade Hampton. We've lost to them the past two years (at state) and now is our last chance to beat them with the same guys. We don't really focus on it too much, it's just one of those goals we've set. We know they train really hard, so we just have to work harder.

scrunners: What do you look for in a coach and what do you expect a coach to look for in you?
eils: I like a coach who knows exactly what he is talking about and can explain to me why. I expect a coach to know my limits.

scrunners: What has been your most memorable event in high school?
eils: Track - Winning 4X800 state last year, XC - beating Daniel by three points to get runners-up sophomore year. Normal life - backpacking the Georgia section of the AT (Appalachian Trail).

scrunners: What do you see happening with South Carolina running in the future? How will this be accomplished?
eils: I think running in SC is going to get better. I know a lot of young people at my high school alone that are going to do great. They just need to run consistently. Watch out for Brett Porter.

scrunners: When not running, what other activities do you do?
eils: Normally, I'm rock climbing or mountain biking every weekend, but this year, I haven't really done any of that.

scrunners: What do you do to stay motivated to get out to run every day?
I think of the state meet. Sometimes I'll just tell myself I'm just gonna run two miles, but by that time, I feel good and finish the workout.

scrunners: Have you ever been discouraged with running? What happened and what did you do to jump back?
eils: Yeah, after track season last year I sort of hated running. I didn't really want to quit, I just didnt' like it. So, I started running about two miles a day for a few weeks, then got back into it and started running some summer miles.

scrunners: What kind of pre race tradition do you have? When did this tradition start? Does Wren have a tradition
eils: Race day - normally just warmup and strides, team prayer, we break on four, then right before the race starts we all pinch Brad's (Orr) butt for good luck. We're all straight though, but Brad hates it. Jamie Tindle started it (tradition).

scrunners: What is the most prestigious meet that you have competed in? How have you done?
eils: I ran the Footlocker once and did terrible.

scrunners: What do you think of Sandhills versus Fort Jackson for Coaches Classic and state? Which course do you like better? Which course do you have the fastest time on? Why?
eils: I think Fort Jackson is a much better state course. I have a faster time on Sandhills just because I only ran Fort Jackson once in seventh grade.

scrunners: Have you ever met a professional runner? If so, what did you talk about?
eils: I've met some sub 2:12 marathon guy and Alan Webb. I didn't really talk to either. I didn't really like Alan Webb though, he talked about building the Great Wall of China and it didn't really make much sense.

scrunners: What kind of surface do you prefer to train on?
eils: I prefer to run on hardpacked dirt, but all I get to run on is road.

scrunners: Do you have a favorite meet course and place to train while at Wren?
eils: We have a pretty hilly nine mile loop that's pretty fun to run.

scrunners: What kind of races and trainers work best for you?
eils: I don't really like wearing racers because they give me blisters. I don't really have a favorite training shoe.

Where do you go to buy your running shoes?
eils: Either Fleet Feet of Run In.

scrunners: In the 2003 State Track & Field meet, your 3200 relay team finished first, for AAA, what leg did you run? What was your split out your 800 and how consistent was the team. What kind of tactic did Wren have going into this race? Was there anytime in the race that you felt Riverside or another school was going to win instead of Wren?
eils: That race was great. I ran the third leg. Steven (Craig) pretty much won it for us. We knew going in that he had to beat their first leg because then we knew their (Riverside) second leg would kill himself trying to catch up, which he did. So, when I got the baton I had a pretty good lead. I just cruised the first lap in 64 (1:04) and waited for Joe (Barnette, Riverside, Class of 2003, Lees McRae freshman) to catch me, then I took off and left him. It was great. I ran a 2:04 split. All Brad (Orr) had to do after that was finish and we had it won. Once Steven (Craig) passed their (Riverside) first leg, I knew we had it won.

scrunners: How are you feeling for the rest of the season?
eils: I feel great, my legs are finally getting some speed and starting to feel fast, I hope it just gets better.