Santa Fe senior Victoria Quintana (bib# 66) has been a cornerstone for the Demons since 2011. Photo by Donald Quintana.
With the Jamboree in the rear view mirror, we now are counting down the days until the state reconvenes in Rio Rancho for the Big Dance. Until then, we will pass the time getting to know this season's Senior Class.
Questionnaires were handed out at the Jamboree, or emailed to those who were not in attendance, and this is what we get. The Top 30 Seniors were determined from the 5K Rankings before the Jamboree, then adjusted after the Jamboree. If a kid was Top 30 before the race, they received a questionnare, if they raced themselves into the 30, then they were emailed a questionnarie after. With that, let's start with the first to respond, Santa Fe's Victoria Quitana.
NM Milesplit Top 30 Senior Profile - #21 Victoria Quintana
What are your Goals for the 2014 XC Season? How are the progressing toward them?
This XC season has been wonderful. My goals have been to achieve a 19:45 in the 5k. So far, with how my season has been turning out, I feel that it will happen before the District or State meet.
What does a typical week of training look like for you? Do you Cross Train?
Mondays are usually a longer run or tempo run. Tuesdays are usually a recovery day. Wednesdays are always our 1000s or 800 repeats. Thursdays and Fridays are our recovery days. Fridays and Saturdays are race days. Sundays are usually another recovery run.
I cross train almost every other day. I usually go on the bike or try to find another cardiovascular exercise to allow my legs to recover faster.
Describe your favorite workout and tell why it’s your favorite.
I have two favorite workouts. I love my long runs and tempo runs because of how mentally tough you have to be. They allow me to dig deep inside and push myself to a different level.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I first started running in elementary school with an organization called Girl On the Run. I started running competitively in 8th grade. I did track and ran the 1600 because my coach figured it was a good fit for me. I enjoyed running distance and then started running Cross Country in High school.
What is your favorite and toughest race so far?
My favorite race was the Joe Vigil Invitational in Alamosa, CO. It is a flat course and I always manage to PR. It’s amazing to see the college runners and be with teams from a different state. My toughest race has to be the Rio Rancho Jamboree. It is always mentally tough to be with a group of girls who want and love something just as much as you do.
Describe your favorite XC memory.
My favorite XC memory was my freshman year when the girls and boys varsity team both made it to state. It was the first time in a decade that both teams had made it and I was honored to be apart of the Varsity team as just a Freshman.
Out of all your accomplishments, which one(s) stand out?
The accomplishment that stands out the most to me is how much I have improved as a runner. When I first started XC, I ran a 28. I still managed to be apart of the Varsity team as the #4 runner but never imagined anything more than that. Now I am a senior and I have managed to become the #1 runner and run a sub 20.
What is your favorite subject in school?
My favorite subject in school is biology. It is what I choose to study when I go into college.
When you’re not running, what do you like to do?
When I’m not running, I always manage to do something active. I love to go hiking with my brother or go bike riding. If I’m not doing that, I’m probably doing my homework.
How have your Coaches influenced you?
My coaches are a huge part of my life. Coach Graham is my second father. He always has the right thing to say the beginning and end to each and every race. He is one of the only voices I can hear in a race. Coach Sam shows me how important my body is to me. She proves to me that I can always push a little harder and become a little stronger with every mile.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to go to school in Colorado and run for a Division 2 school. I also plan to major in Biology and Minor in Spanish.
Fast 6
- Your favorite pre-race meal: Overnight Oats
- What shoes do you train/race in: Racing- New Balance Training- Newtons
- Favorite athlete (running or non-running): Alexi Pappas
- Favorite song: Springsteen by Eric Church
- Favorite book: A Thousand Splendid Suns By Khaled Hosseini
- Favorite quote: “I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.” -Audrey Hepburn
Thank you for your time Victoria and best of luck in the coming weeks.