Interview by MileStat.com staff writer Ryan Call shortly after Northside senior Catherine White breaking her own course record at Wolf Branch Farm in Forest, Virginia at the Runnin With The Wolves Invitational with a time of 18:24. White bypassed the varsity girls high school division to compete in the more competive open division as she raced unattached.
MileStat.com: Congratulations today. You almost tricked us. We thought you were a no show, but ended up running in the open race at the end. Why did you decide to run in the open?
White: Well the boys team came today and the girls team didn\'t come, but I still wanted to run. So my coach emailed the meet director and head coach at Jefferson Forest and told us it would be more competitive in the open race, so I just did that. I thought it be more fun too.
MileStat.com: I noticed you were out there running with Zac Edwards as if he was pacing you. Did you guys have a race plan for today?
White: Yes. He decided to pace me through two miles. At mile two, he was going to decide whether to go or stay with me.
MileStat.com: You ran 18:24 today to break your own course record. How does this year\'s race compare to last years?
White: It was good. I PR\'d by over 20 seconds on the course. I felt better prepared as far as the hills go. I felt stronger, so it was a good feeling.
MileStat.com: Can you discuss your training as you prepare for championship season coming up for the next month and a half.
White: This is when I start to do real workouts. Start to do a lot more fast and quick stuff. I\'ll start to taper really for Foot Locker South. I\'ll taper down a little bit for states, but more so for Foot Locker South.
MileStat.com: Of course you want to qualify for Foot Locker Nationals again, but do you have a time you would like to shoot for on a fast course like at Foot Locker South.
White: I guess I want to do better than last year. Thats always my goal. Hopefully under 17. Its fairly fast, but we\'ll see what happens.
MileStat.com: We noticed you jumped over the logs at Paul Bunyan\'s Revenge. A lot of people are scared to do that, yet you did it?
White: Oh well I thought it would be fun, so I did it!
MileStat.com: This is a real nice course and for those who haven\'t seen it, how would you rate it among your favorite cross country courses?
White: I like the course because its a true cross country course. Not all the gravel or any type of roads or pavement to run on. You got the creek crossings, logs, mud, and the hills here.
MileStat.com: There were a few runners goofing off at the start of the racing laughing and smacking each other around. How did that affect if at all?
White: It didn\'t really affect me at all. I just thought it was kind of funny and made me laugh. Made me relaxed and not be so stressed over the race.