Senior Marika Crowe has become accustomed to being part of a winning tradition. She has trained under the watchful eye of Massachusetts coaching legend Henry Phelan and has been the beneficiary of some of the best training partners in the history of the state. But the time has come for Crowe to assume the leadership role at Lincoln-Sudbury, and it appears that Coach Phelan’s systematic plan of increasing mileage and intensity is poised to take hold.
Crowe enters the 2011 cross country season as the reigning Massachusetts mile champion, and a renewed emphasis on cross country may make her an instant threat in New England. MileSplitMass had the opportunity to catch-up with the state mile champion to see how her summer training was unfolding.
Best times in a 5K and 3 Mile race?
My best 5K time came last fall at the Burnt Hills Invitational in Saratoga Springs, New York where I ran 18:44.26. Most of the meets we run in are Dual Meets and usually those aren't full 3 miles or 5K's.
Tell us how your training is going?
My summer training went really well! I took two weeks off after Outdoor Nationals in late June, and started logging base miles in early July. This has been the first summer where I have been really focused on making my XC training a big priority, and I have been able to hit more weekly miles than I ever have before. My summer training consists of one long run and one 'tempo' run. I didn't start the tempos until August, but I have been happy with how they have been going. Most of my summer training is pretty low key, and we don't really start real workouts until September, and it is definitely a nice mental break from racing, but I am really excited to get back into the swing of things and start racing!
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
This season I am really focused on making sure the team runs well as a whole so that we can accomplish our team goals (I think those are the most important). Individually, I know that I need to try and score as few points as possible to help the team score at every meet. I want to come in top 5 at states this year in cross, and win as many other meets as possible.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I have been running since Freshman year in cross country, but I didn't really get serious until freshman year of spring track when there was an opening on the 4x800 relay. I ran 2:19 or something my freshman year, and our relay got All-American at Nike Outdoor Nationals in 2009 and ever since that experience I got pretty focused to try and accomplish as much as I could. I got started in the first place because I knew how good the L-S program always was, and I wanted to be part of something successful like that. I've always liked to run, so I figured I'd try it out, and now I'm really happy that I did.
Will you be competing out of state this season?
Yes! I think we are going to the Burnt Hills Invitational in Saratoga Springs, NY again. I also think we might be going to Ocean State Invitational in RI, and then as long as things go well probably NXN-NE in Poughkeepsie NY. I really like traveling for meets because I like racing against new people as much as possible, and good competition makes it more interesting and challenging.
Favorite course to run in Massachusetts?
Franklin Park! It rocks!! And I get to run it three times this year I think :)
Toughest course in Massachusetts?
Easily the state meet course at Northfield Mountain [deathly.. so happy I don't have to run it again, ever!]
Favorite Cross Country race so far in your high school career?
Probably NXN Regionals last year. Our team did not have the best day at the All-State meet, and we almost didn't go to regionals. We decided we didn't want our season to end with the race at States, and it turned out to be the best decision! I ran like 3 minutes faster than I did the year before at the tough Bowdoin Park course (I think my time was 20:02...a palindrome!), and we kinda proved to ourselves that we were better than we had shown the week before. It definitely set a tone for me for the rest of the year which I think carried over to indoor and outdoor track.
Favorite Cross Country memory?
Definitely the Division 1 EMASS meet my sophomore year (Fall, 2009). It was an absolute mud bath at Franklin Park and the times were all ridiculously slow. I think our race was won in just under 20 minutes for 5K, and I placed in I think the high 20's, but it was absolutely the most fun cross country race I have ever run. Our team won that day, and won the state title a week later so the whole thing was kinda a whirlwind and so much fun.
When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
I love swimming, traveling, shopping, and hanging out with my friends!
Favorite quote?
Haha, my teammates will kill me if I don't put this one: "The only race pace is suicide pace, and today looks like a good day to die" -Pre.
Personal Bests
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1000 Meter Run2:57.07
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2.x Mile Run (CC Short Course)18:11.80
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Two Mile Run11:52.10
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3000 Meter Run13:03.00
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Three Mile Run18:44.26
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400 Meter Dash1:02.34
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5000 Meter Run19:59.00
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600 Meter Dash1:38.39
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800 Meter Run2:14.46
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One Mile Run5:00.43
