XC Countdown: Rachel Kenny of Matawan Regional


Rachel Kenny - SR

Matawan Regional

2:14 800 PR ✓
5:03 1600 PR ✓
3rd 5k returner @ 17:55 ✓
6th Holmdel returner @ 18:54 ✓

Interviewed 7/24/17

117 days until the Meet of Champions


Q. Is it going to be different knowing you are going to be running with the best in New Jersey this year?

I'm really excited that I'm one of the top returners, and it should be interesting going into races knowing that. This year I'm just trying to take every race as it comes and use my competitors as a way to push myself. Monmouth County has some really great competitors, so I'm looking forward to racing anyone who will make me work harder.

Q. How do you feel about your spring season?

I was disappointed with how the season went, but I'm using that to push me throughout the summer so I can make a comeback this fall.

Q. How has your training been going?

So far training has been going well. For now, we're taking things one week at a time to increase the mileage and see how I handle it, but I should peak it around the end of August. Once workouts start, we will go to Holmdel often to do workouts. Bowl repeats is one of my favorites because it makes the bowl a lot less intimidating, but is still a difficult workout. I also like to get to the gym at least a few times a week to get some lifting in and maintain fitness.

Q. Do you consider yourself to be a middle distance runner?

Yes, during the track season I do a lot less mileage and we focus more on the workouts, but when it comes to cross country the 5k becomes my sole focus and we do a lot more mileage. I'll stop worrying about the speed stuff we do in track and change my workouts accordingly for a 5k.

Q. Who do you normally run with

During the school year, I do most of my runs on my own, but in the summer I try to make it more exciting and I have friends and family ride bikes next to me, or I'll run with my teammates. Our girls team practices six days a week and I'm one of the captains, so I try to be there as much as I can.

Q. What are some goals you'd like to hit your senior season?

I'd like to run well at MOC and Regionals because last season I was really hitting all of my goals up to those races, but I didn't close the season the way I wanted to. I've gone to Footlocker Regionals for the past 2 years, but I'm considering NXR this year. As of now, I'm undecided and I have to wait and see how my running is going up to that point. This season, I want to make sure I don't burn out and I'm able to finish strong. I want to lower my times, and any wins I can get along the way would be great, but I just want to be able to race as hard as I can.

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The XC Countdown is a series of interviews previewing the 2017 cross country season brought to us by Jordan Brannan, a two-time winner of the Indoor Meet of Champions 3200 meter.  He'll be joining NJ MileSplit for some summer cross country coverage. Brannan graduated from Colts Neck this past spring and will be attending Iona College this coming fall. - Robert Kellert