Monday, November 21, 2011

Catching up with Amador Valley HS runner, Jena Pianin...

Today we chat with Amador Valley HS junior runner, Jena Pianin who this past Saturday won the NCS Division I race with the 3rd fastest overall time in any division.  Her time of 17:41 trailed only Carrie Verdon of Campolindo and Julia Maxwell of Branson who are both favorites going into the state meet to win their respective divisions.  At her previous two NCS MOC XC meets, Pianin finished in 11th place as a freshman and 7th place as a sophomore.  Last year during track, Pianin placed 4th in the 3200 at the NCS MOC to qualify for her first state track meet.

1) What other sports have you played besides cross country and track and field?
Besides running I did ballet when I was younger.

2) When and how did you get your start in xc and track?
I started track in 8th grade at Harvest Park Middle School. In 8th grade I moved to California from Massachusetts. I joined track to meet new people and ended up loving it!

3) What was the first success that you remember in each sport?
The first success I had was during 8th grade at the middle school time trial. I ran the mile and really surprised myself when I ran a 5:52. That’s where I fell in love with racing; I was hooked!

4) What were some of your highlights during your freshman season at AV in xc and track?
Freshman year, my biggest highlights were winning MVP and being the number one runner on the varsity squad, but most importantly meeting all my AMAZING teammates! During track, my biggest highlight was breaking Amador’s 3200m school record.

5) What about sophomore year? What are your current track and field prs for 400, 800, 1600 and 3200?
Sophomore year my highlights included qualifying for state in XC and track, and improving my school’s 3200m record throughout the track season. My PR’s are: 400m: 62(split), 800m (2:21), 1600m (5:02), 3200m (10:48).

6) What did you do differently this summer training wise to prepare for this current xc season?
Training smarter and more regularly over the summer really helped me prepare for the long XC season. Most importantly, cross training, eating right, and working out twice a day helped me build a good foundation going into this year.

7) What was your highest weekly mileage during the season? What was your toughest workout? What does a typical week look like for you with a Saturday race?
My highest mileage this season is 55 miles per week. My toughest workout would be hill repeats.

8) Tell us a little about your coach and how he has helped you become the runner you are today.
Coach Ozzie (Jason Oswalt) is extremely knowledgeable, down to earth, and easy to talk to. Coach Ozzie helps me come up with race plans that I can stick to. My other coach, Coach Huff, is an amazing motivator and has shown me how to really believe in my ability. He makes me aspire higher every day.

9) Favorite xc course? Favorite xc invitational? Favorite distance run? Favorite xc workout? Favorite track event? Favorite track invitational? Favorite track workout?
Surprisingly, I don’t have any favorites. Each race, workout, and invite offers a new and exciting challenge.

10) What was your plan going into the NCS race and how did the plan unfold once the gun went off?
My plan going into NCS was to run smart and stick with the leaders. When the gun went off, I stayed focused and in a competitive mind set.

11) You ran at the state meet last year. How do you think that experience will help you at this year's state meet?
Last year, I didn’t know what to expect, but this year, I’m ready to have the best race possible to help the team. I hope I can make state my best race to date!

Thank you very much for your time Jena!  AJC

10 comments:

MORE! said...

anymore interviews scheduled?

Albert Caruana said...

Sure. Give me names of athletes or coaches that you would like to see interviewed.

Anonymous said...

Interview Parker!!!

Anonymous said...

Interview Gabe!

Anonymous said...

Parker Deuel is a two time NCS Champ...you should certainly talk with him.

Anonymous said...

Interview Nick Ratto.

Anonymous said...

Ratto, definitely!
Holden?

Anonymous said...

who's Ratto?

XC/Track Fan said...

If you could figure out a way to do team interviews, that'd be awesome. Like, the Campo girls team, or the Piner guys team would be totaly interesting.

Anonymous said...

Parker Duel

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