10 Questions with Joelle Amaral
This past scholastic XC/track year was quite successful for Joelle. She came into the year with a PR of 5:01.29 in the 1600 and completed the outdoor season with a 4:52.29, a very nice improvement indeed. At Holmdel, she finished 6th at the Meet of Champions, matching her PR of 18:43 and leading her team to an ever-so-close 2nd place finish, only 1 point behind winner Hillsborough. She is the third fastest Holmdel returner and took some time out from endurance shopping at the Garden State Plaza to answer some questions for us.
1. How old were you when you started running and did you love it right away?
I was about 5 years old when I started running for Randolph's clinic track program and 7 when I started running XC. It's hard to think that far back but, I most definitely loved it right away. It was just something I always did that I never got sick of.
2. What is your favorite sport – XC or track?
Track! Even though I love XC, I just feel like I perform better in track. Not only that, but relays are definitely what makes the whole experience even better. My team and I are always making different shirts and wearing matching spandex and ribbons to every meet. (Joelle anchored her team to a 3rd place finish in the NBN 4xMile 2nd all-time New Jersey and 9th in the NBN DMR).
3. What do you like to do most when you’re not running?
When I'm not running I'm usually hanging out with my friends. It’s hard for us all to get together sometimes, but when we have the opportunity to do so we always have fun no matter what we do.
4. What is your least favorite workout?
My least favorite workout is probably tempo runs on the track. They just bore me so much, running around in circles for that long a time. My mind usually ends up wandering off to basically anything.
5. What is the best book you have read this year?
Don't laugh, but the best book I read this year is "The Last Song" by Nicholas Sparks. I guess I’m just into those romantic love stories.
6. Who is your favorite singer/band/recording artist?
I basically like all different types of music and songs, but my favorites are Miley Cyrus and Sam Adams. And of course I always have to listen to “Living on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi before I run to get me pumped up!
7. What do you want to achieve in XC and track this year?
I definitely want to be able to lower all my personal best times, make it on to run at either NXN or Footlocker nationals, stay healthy and consistent, and last to just keep having fun while doing what I love.
8. What is your biggest accomplishment in running?
I don't really have a biggest accomplishment in running, but I'd say just by being able to lower all my PRs over the last three years and continuing to train and get stronger and more successful is definitely an accomplishment. Also, 2 team accomplishments that stand out more than anything else is placing 3rd at New Balance Nationals in the 4 x Mile and placing 5th in the 4x8 at Penn Relays.
9. What are your favorite and least school subjects?
My favorite subject is English and my least is Math.
10. Who would you choose to be stuck in an elevator with if you had to be?
If I had to be stuck on an elevator with anyone I would pick the cast of Jersey Shore. They would entertain me for hours, and I mean come on... you got to admit they’re hysterical.