Interview with James Hart - #5 runner on the defending Region I XC boys champion Lafayette squad
How did you get started running and why?
I started running because I wanted to win the annual 1 mile race at my middle school. I had come close to winning before, but that year I wanted to really train for it and come in first. I ended up not winning it, but I was hooked on running. I signed up for a local track club and then joined cross country my freshmen year.
What kind of training did you do over the summer to prepare for the season?
Over the summer I did mostly easy mileage and built up to around 55 miles a week. At the beginning of the summer, my hip was bothering me and my training wasn't going as I wanted, but when it stopped hurting, I noticed a big improvement in my fitness. When the preseason began, I started doing more tempo runs and intervals that I think have helped a lot.
Was there a particular race in which you felt your individ...