Greenwood’s Stoddard learns more about race strategy

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Anna Kathryn Stoddard talks about the season and goals for the future.

Name: Anna Kathryn Stoddard
Personal bests: 800: 2:24, 1600: 5:11, 3200: 11:35, 5K: 18:48
Academic interest: English/foreign language
Hobbies: reading, writing, playing guitar, singing
Interesting fact: I rode horses for seven years before I started running.

How did you get involved in the sport and why?
I was recruited by two of my friends in eighth grade who had done cross country the previous fall. I wanted to make more friends before I went to high school.

How have you seen it change?
The competition field for running continues to grow more and more competitive each year.

How do you feel you have grown in the sport?
I've become stronger, and a hard worker in other areas of my life.

What has been your motivation for this season?
I've had two stress fractures in the past two years. So, this year I was determined to return stronger than I have ever been.

How do you look at the rankings?
I check the rankings often to see how I'm improving, and how other people in the state are improving.

What goes throughout your mind as the gun is getting ready to go as you are waiting in the blocks or starting line?
I prepare my mind to fight against the doubts and weaknesses that arise when I race.

Do you have a pre race tradition? Please explain.
No, I try to stay away from traditions like lucky socks or any other thing that a runner "has" to do before a race. I don't like to be dependent on anything like that, I want my mind to be prepared without it.

How would you rate your season so far?
This is by far the best season I have ever had. I've earned new PRs in all my events, and I've learned more about racing strategically.

Do you have any family members involved in the sport? Please explain.
My Aunt Lynn on my father's side set a few school records for Laurens High School cross country and track--they may still exist today. Also, her daughter (my cousin), Hannah, and my little sister, Madison, started running this season. Hannah does the 100, 200, and 4x4; Madison is a distance runner just like I am.

What challenges have you encountered in the sport?
My first track season was a struggle for me. I had never run a mile in my life, and I didn't have any kind of building-up workouts. I just got thrown into a group with older kids who ran 3-4 miles daily. I struggled through what felt like the longest runs of my life all season. At the very end of the season, I was finally able to keep up with the group.

Have you ever been injured? Please explain.
Yes. Cross country season of 2013, I had a stress fracture in my right tibia. The following track season in 2014, I had an iron deficiency. Cross country season 2014, I developed another stress fracture in my left tibia. But I'm thankful that I was able to compete through all my injuries.

What do you hope to achieve in the sport and in life in the future?
I hope to run in college, and hope to someday break the five-minute mile barrier. I don't know what I will do in college besides run, but I hope to find out what I really want to do with my life.

Do you have post season track plans?
I plan on competing in the S.C. Meet of Champions, and doing a few road races over the summer.

What is your favorite workout and why?
I like doing 400s. Sometimes I do more with longer rest, and sometimes I do less with shorter rest. I like them because they help my body get used to the five-minute pace I would like to run for the mile.

What goals have you set for the rest of the season?
I would really love to PR one last time in the 1600, and get 5:10 or less. I would also like to go under 11:30 for the two mile.

Looking at the 2014 state meet, what do you remember and how did that make you prepare for the 2015 state meet?
I remember running my best race, and being determined to PR. Last year's state meet taught me to forget trying to be tactical and to run with everything I have.

If there is one thing in the world you could do, what it would it be and why?
I would either skydive out of a hot air balloon, or go bull riding. I can't decide which I would rather do!

Fun questions
Pre-race pump-up song: Riser by Dierks Bentley
Post-race meal: Anything and everything. But especially pasta salad.
Go-to karaoke song: Any Taylor Swift song
Favorite book: Divergent by Veronica Roth
Last movie you watched: The Longest Ride
Favorite race or event to watch: 4x400 relay
If you could go on a run with any athlete, who would it be? Katie Hoaldridge