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Full Name: Alisha Marie Jayne Royal Date of Birth: 8/29/91 Hometown: Florence Brothers/Sisters: One brother - Dalton-10 year old Academic Interest: Science and World History Hobbies: Crafts, Scrap booking, Camping, playing the clarinet Personal Bests: 5k: 20:04 High School/Mascot: West Florence Knights |
royal: I started to run in summer of 2002 (5th grade) with the Florence Track Club.
scrunners: What sports did you play prior to running?
royal: I played softball and soccer.
scrunners: Does or did anyone else in your family run?
royal: Both my mom and dad ran in HS. My mom ran for Youngstown State University in Ohio. My brother runs for the Florence Track Club.
scrunners: How many years have you run for West Florence?
royal: I have run at West Florenc one year.
scrunners: What kind of training have you done at West Florence?
royal: We run the rail trail, and do 1000 meter fence loops.
scrunners: How has this training varied over the years and for cross-country and track?
royal: In CC we do more miles and track we do more speed work.
scrunners: Who do you train on a daily basis?
royal: I try with my fellow teammates Racheal Huelet and Ashley Godoy.
scrunners: What kind of summer training do you do?
royal: I participate in the Junior Olympic during the summer which lasts until middle of July and then I start practice with the HS team.
scrunners: Does West Florence train together in the summer?
royal: We meet once for a long summer weekend at Sandy ridge to camp and run. Then we get together at the beginning of August.
scrunners: What kind of cross-training do you incorporate into your schedule?
royal: Nothing yet. Just some weight lifting.
scrunners: Have you been injured, if so, what happened, how did you come back healthy, and what have you done during this time to stay motivated?
royal: Just shin splints. I do the exercises every morning to try and prevent a reoccurence.
scrunners: What kind pre race tradition have you developed?
royal: I have not began any type of race tradition. My parents usually have spaghetti the night before a big meet.
scrunners: What kind of race tactic do you use going into track events and cross-country?
royal: In CC I get out good to avoid the crowd and then keep going after the person in front of me. In track I get out quick, get into a rhythm and work at getting the lap times that I need.
scrunners: After winning the 3200 at the Outback meet April 3, what do you see happening with the rest of your season?
royal: I am working for state champion titles in the mile and two mile. I am also working on increasing my personal best time.
scrunners: Explain to the viewers how the Outback girls 3200 unfolded?
royal: The Summerville girl (Carlissa Heyward) and myself got out real quick and stuck together as we pulled away from the rest of the runners. She was in the lead most of the race and I just tucked in behind her and let her do the work. I passed her about lap five put she passed me back. With only two laps to go, I passed her and gradually increased my lead to win the event.
scrunners: What kind of goals are you setting for the future and this season?
royal: In the mile I would like to get down to 5:15 and in the two mile I would like to get into the low 11's. I am looking to make all-state in both events. For CC I want to my time in the 19's.
scrunners: How do you see yourself achieving these goals?
royal: I am going to keep working at practice, having fun and staying positive. For CC I will start practicing with the boys.
scrunners: Who do you discuss your goals with and why?
royal: My mom and some teammates. She understands what I am going through and what I want to accomplish.
scrunners: What sport do you like better, cross-country or track, why?
royal: I like cross-country more because you get to run a variety of different courses.
scrunners: What kind of surface do you prefer to train on?
royal: Rubber.
scrunners: Do you have a favorite location to train?
royal: No, not really.
scrunners: What kind of paces do you run for your workouts?
royal: When we do the 1000m fence loops. I work at repeating them from 4:13 to 4:30 each time. When we go on longer runs, I don't just jog but I do not go all out either.
scrunners: Have you ever meet a professional athlete? If so, where and what did you talk to them about? Did they give you any advice on training or competition?
royal: No, but I would love to.
scrunners: What would you see is the most prestigious meet you have competed in? How did you do at this meet?
royal: The Coaches Classic meet. Both for CC and track the competition is really good and you get to test yourself. For track I got 4th in the mile
scrunners: What kind of plans are you setting for the upcoming summer with the sport of track and field?
royal: After the HS season is over, I will be participating with the Florence Track Club and competing in the Jr Olympics which will be held in June. After the state JO meet I will go on to the Regional meet. I will also be competing with the Florence team that will be going to Cleveland at the July for the International Children's Games, which will have athletes from 30 countries. I competed last year when the games were held in Graz, Austria. This year I hope to do better and make it to the final round. I am very excited about competing again on at the international level.
scrunners: What keeps you motivated to get out the door for school and practice on a daily basis?
royal: Because it is fun to run and be with friends.
scrunners: Who do you admire the most and why?
royal: Kate Niehaus from Spring Valley. She is really good at running but the thing is that she is a really nice person that will tell you good luck and a job well done. She is very friendly.
scrunners: Do you read running books? If so, which one has been the most influential in helping you in life?
royal: I look at the Youth Runner Magazine to see how other athletes my age are doing and what they have done.
scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could do what would it be and why?
royal: I would like to run to help raise money for kids with disease, so that doctors can help find a cure.