For Chloe Gonzalez Her Team is a Major Inspiration

Let's touch upon the contrast this summer of running may have had compared to how you entered last cross country season working back from the 2018 end of spring injury. Are there major differences and is there anything you picked up from that experience that you are finding useful this year with a healthy summer of running?

Yes this summer has definitely been different from my last summer. Last year I built up really slowly and did not start running again until the first week of August and only ran for about 10 minutes and slowly increased from their, but was cross training all throughout my injury even after I started running again.

This summer I have been exponentially increasing my mileage because I work better with a larger base. One thing I learned from my injury is to take my time and to not be so hard on myself. If I am feeling off one day or am a little under my mileage I have come to realize that that is okay. Not every day, run, or week is going to be easy if you are not feeling good take your time. If you are coming back from an injury, take it slow. Jumping back in before you are ready is not good for your mind or body.

Gonzalez after her 1600m Meet of Champions win in 2019. 

I know the delay in racing last fall was more about building your base before you hit the course. But with what you were able to accomplish last year despite the out of norm start to the season what does that do for your confidence entering this season in full form?

It definitely was a good gauge to see how my body adjusts to certain training styles and influenced my training later in the year. This year I plan to follow about the same racing pattern which would be to limit my early season racing. This works better for me and definitely helps me personally later on in the season. Going into this year I am very confident in my team and I know what we are capable of going into this year, even with losing some seniors.

As the top New Jersey returner at Holmdel Park this year, what would it mean to you to win the cross country title individually? How will what you learned from this past spring's 1600m win and even your squad's back to back team titles at XC MOCs help with the pressures that come with it all? The last North Hunterdon girl to win individually was Jodie Bilotta who brought home three straight from 1985 - 1987.

Winning Meet of Champions as a team and individually this season are  goals of mine. I believe track and cross country are very different types of running, but have the same end goal so the same motivation I had in track is the same motivation I have for cross country.

Since we have won the past few years, we as a team have felt the outside pressures, but have learned to adjust to that situation and not let it get in the way of our running. Our motivation to win for the third straight year overpowers the pressure. We use that pressure to push ourselves to keep getting better.

Speaking about the team and your championships as a group, North Hunterdon girls now have eight total wins in school history with six coming during the 80s and you are two-time defending champs heading into this fall. Another title defense in 2019 would tie Red Bank Catholic for the most wins all-time at nine.

After returning everyone from the 2017 team you lost three seniors from 2018. How's the team looking as a group with summer training and mindset, anyone really stepping up to fill spots and roles within the squad? Major newcomers?  

Although we have lost many seniors this year, we have always had a very deep team. Even with the loss, we always have girls who are willing and able to fill those spots. Having a lot of open spots this year inspires a sense of confidence and motivation among our younger girls who are wanting to fill those varsity spots. We miss our seniors, but having new girls step up to the plate has brought a new and positive energy to the team and I believe we are capable of competing how we have in the past or even better.

Do you have an idea about your schedule? Where you or your team might open up? Any big invitationals in or outside New Jersey this season?

Besides Northeast Regionals, we stay in New Jersey for our races. Some of our girls will be opening up at the Bernie McGee Class race at Greystone Park and all of us will be running at Shore Coaches Invitational. 

Now entering your senior year, you've encountered a lot of success and I'm sure plenty of lessons. What is the most important thing you've learned so far? What is your main inspiration this season?

One thing I have learned is that although most people think so, running is not an individual sport. Success does come from the amount of time and effort you put into something, but that is only one small part of a bigger process. Your teammates should become, and be, some of the most important people in your life. They are some of the only people who understand your struggles and support you while also celebrating your individual and team successes.

Running is not a selfish sport. It is a sport that is built upon character and teamwork, the girls are your family away from your family. Learn from your challenges and become the runner you want to be. You make your own choices. Enjoy the little accomplishments. No matter how big or small celebrate your achievements. The last most important thing is, only do things that bring you joy. When something stops becoming fun, it is not what you should be doing.

Any college visits planned or schools sparking your interest?

I have almost all of my officials planned and hope to know very soon!