Estancia's Jakob Bernal has been a cornerstone for the Bears since 2011. Photo by Grant Heffelfinger.
With the regular season 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.
As noted before, 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, we continue our series with Estancia's September heat seeker, Jakob Bernal.
NM Milesplit Top 30 Senior Profile - #24 Jakob Bernal
What are your Goals for the 2014 XC Season? How are the progressing toward them?
My goal for this season is to be the AAA State Champion. My team and I work hard every day, and push each other to our limits. We pour our hearts into every run we do. I've been putting in a ton of miles since the state track meet, and had a great summer of training.
What does a typical week of training look like for you? Do you Cross Train? Mondays are long runs, Tuesdays are hard speed workouts, Wednesdays are recovery runs, Thursdays are hard workouts, and Fridays are a pre meet run. During the summer I did bike some, but I usually do not cross train.
Describe your favorite workout and tell why it’s your favorite.
I LOVE repeat 300 meters on the track. Every 100 meters is representative of a mile in a race, and we have to run them strategically, getting progressively faster. It is a great distance that combines speed and endurance, and doing them multiple times builds a huge speed threshold.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I started running in the 7th grade for track. It's actually quite funny how I became a distance runner. The rule for the team was if you got in trouble for any reason, you had to run the mile at the next meet. Well, of course I go and act stupid during practice, and for the FIRST MEET of the season I had to run the mile. It was my first race ever, and I won. I continued to run the longer distances and was successful. So that's how I got started.
What is your favorite and toughest race so far?
My favorite course is Rio Rancho, but my favorite race so far would probably have to be the ATC Everybody Invitational where I broke 16 minuets for the first time. The toughest race I've had by far would be Jemez Valley. The heat and hills and everything just wasn't good.
Describe your favorite XC memory.
My favorite XC memory would have to be my freshman year at districts. I broke my previous PR by over 50 seconds, we had a 1-4 gap of 13 seconds. We qualified to state as a team for the first time is SCHOOL HISTORY! I was so proud to be a part of that.
Out of all your accomplishments, which one(s) stand out?
Out of all my accomplishments, I am probably most proud of making the podium last year at state when I was not expected to even be top 25. Being ranked 29th and coming in 6th, upsetting so many people made me feel on top of the world.
What is your favorite subject in school?
My favorite subject in school is lunch and getting to run!! Haha but I do really enjoy math and government.
When you’re not running, what do you like to do?
When I'm not running, I enjoy playing basketball. I also spend a lot of time mixing and making music. I love to hang out with my friends most of all though.
How have your Coaches influenced you?
My coach has influenced me in so many ways. She had made me a better person, and taught me that I can do anything, as long as I listen to her! Haha, but she is really a huge influence in my life. It took us a while to finally understand each other, but it was worth it all. I wouldn't be where I am today without her.
What are your plans after graduation?
I really, REALLY want to run for university. I also want to study athletic training, and in the long run become a coach.
Fast 6
- Your favorite pre-race meal: Spaghetti!!
- What shoes do you train/race in: Nike Free 4.0 Flyknit
- Favorite athlete (running or non-running): Alexa Efraimson, Steve Prefontaine and Derek Jeter
- Favorite song: We Are Legend-Dimitri Vegas, Like Mike and Steve Aoki
- Favorite book: The Harry Potter Series!!
- Favorite quote: "To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift." -Pre.
