Chris Allen has only run two cross country races in his lifetime. Until this year, Allen considered himself a soccer player and dedicated the fall season to life on the pitch. So how does somebody with such little experience get recognized as one of the best cross country runners in the state? By running 9:09 in the 2 mile and winning the New England Championships, that’s how.
Many will argue that track times often do not translate to the arrhythmic running of the most challenging cross country courses, but Allen may beg to differ. In 2010, he spent the fall season playing soccer and running when time permitted. The lack of focused training did little to deter the King-Philip harrier and he entered the Foot Locker Northeast Regional Championships regardless. Clearly not in peak form, Allen finished 30th overall and began to rethink the prospect of returning to the soccer field.
The move was a wise one, and Allen went on a tear in the track post season. In addition to winning the New England Championships in the 3200m, he finished second in the 2 mile at the Massachusetts State Championships, and 12th in the 3,000m at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals. Cross country may be new to Allen, but winning is not. MileSplitMass had the opportunity to catch-up with the converted soccer star to see how his summer training was unfolding.
Best times in a 5K and 3 Mile race?
My best 5K is 16:17 in a road race during the fall of my junior year.
Tell us how your training is going?
My training has been great. My coach has had us be conservative with mileage over the summer so we can stay healthy while still getting stronger. We have a very young team--almost all of last year's varsity is returning. There is a lot of potential and kids have made big strides during spring track and over the summer. We have worked really hard and I think we can exceed expectations and surprise some people later in the season.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
This is my first season of XC, so I don't really know what to expect. I want our team to do well and improve over the course of the season. Individually I want to perform well in the championship meets, and if everything goes well I would like to qualify for Footlocker Nationals, but that's a long time from now and will take a lot of work.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
The summer before freshman year I ran every day to get in shape for soccer tryouts. When the soccer coaches held a 2 mile race at tryouts, I beat all of the older kids except for the team captain. He was also the captain of the track team, and convinced me to come out for indoor track that winter. I ran 4:35 in the Freshman Mile at Nationals a few months later and realized how good I could be at running. Then I decided to go out for spring track and dedicated myself to succeed at running.
Will you be competing out of state this season?
Our team will stay in MA this fall, but I will probably go to New York for Footlocker Northeast at the end of the season if everything goes well.
Favorite course to run in Massachusetts?
I can't really answer this question, as this is my first season of XC.
Favorite Cross Country race so far in your high school career?
I have only run two XC races in my life, but my favorite one of the two would have to be the Footlocker Northeast Regional my junior year. I had played soccer that fall so I hadn't been completely dedicated to training for it but still had a blast. I came in 30th which was much higher than I had thought of placing. I probably ran one of my best races ever that day.
Favorite Cross Country memory?
I've only had two races on XC courses, so I can't really answer this question either. If it was my favorite track memory, I'd say winning the New England Championship in the 3200 meters last June. There were a lot of great runners in that race and I wasn't really expected to win, and it was a great feeling to set a personal best in such a big race. A lot of hard work paid off in that race.
When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
When I am not running I enjoy hanging out with my family. I also love playing soccer and basketball.
Favorite quote?
"You can't propel yourself forward by patting yourself on the back."
Personal Bests
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1000 Meter Run2:43.30
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Two Mile Run9:09.46
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3000 Meter Run8:37.11
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3200 Meter Run9:05.97
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800 Meter Run1:58.50
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One Mile Run4:18.40
