Sophomore Grace Heitkamp, the girls’ cross country team’s top runner, shares her insights on the season.  Grace has been a runner for five years, and she describes the sport as “inspiring and a great way to achieve goals.”

How do you believe your season is going so far?

I think it’s going well, it’s a little weird figuring things out, [with my race times] but I believe that my times are better than last year, and I’m having a good season so far.

What are your goals going into the race this Saturday?

I would like to be close to low 18s, which I know is a stretch, but Celtic Clash is a really fast meet and it is good to have a breakthrough race.

Do you feel you made the goals you set up for yourself at the meet at 3 Creeks?

I think I did, I would have liked to get under 18:00.  Overall, I think I ran a great race and I am excited for Celtic.

What are your pre-race rituals?

I always ice bath the day before the race; it helps me relax my muscles.  I also take a Nuun tablet, which is basically coffee for runners.  It gives me energy before the race.  I [also] always have a piece of toast with peanut butter a few hours before I race.

What are your hopes for the postseason?

I’m really hoping to make it to states again; I’m hoping to go all-state this year.  I would also really like to run under 19:00 for all of postseason.