NM XC Top 30 Senior Girls: Rebecca Castillo

Volcano Vista's Rebecca Castillo has been a staple for the Hawks since 2011. Photo by Cami Moses.

With the District Meets only a few days away, 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 Volcano Vista's senior Hawk, Rebecca Castillo.

NM Milesplit Top 30 Senior Profile - #11 Rebecca Castillo

What are your Goals for the 2014 XC Season? How are the progressing toward them?

My biggest personal goal this season was to break 19:00 in a race, which I did at the Cleveland Invite. Now all that's left to do is work hard and race hard for my team through State.

What does a typical week of training look like for you? Do you Cross Train?

A typical week has about two hard workouts, a long run, an easy run, and a pre-meet day. We do occasional extra stuff throughout the week, from strength training to working on form.

Describe your favorite workout and tell why it’s your favorite.

My favorite workouts are the long runs—the longer the better to me—or 1200 repeats. Something about the distance is really relaxing to me, no matter the pace.

How long have you been running and how did you get started?

I've been around running since elementary school because my dad ran marathons. I ran local 5K's until I joined a track club as a sprinter in 6th grade. I switched to distance for Cross Country at the start of 7th grade, and here I am now with nearly 11 seasons of cross and track behind me.

What is your favorite and toughest race so far?

Every race is tough, but Academy has always been my favorite course. I almost never had a bad race there.

Describe your favorite XC memory.

I will always remember State cross country freshman year, when our race was the first one of the day with gale force wind, snow, sleet, and dust in the freezing cold. It was an awful race, but we won eternal bragging rights for racing in the worst conditions.

Out of all your accomplishments, which one(s) stand out?

I was completely surprised when I won my school's Female Athlete of the Fall Sport Season award my sophomore year. It's my favorite athletic personal achievement.

What is your favorite subject in school?

This year it's math: I'm enthusiastic about Statistics this year, and Calculus is always fun.

When you’re not running, what do you like to do?

I love relaxing with some music on my downtime, and I'll devour a good book when I have the time.

How have your Coaches influenced you?

I've known two of my coaches since club track back in middle school.  They've really nurtured my growth as a runner, from a slow, little new girl to a varsity team member.

What are your plans after graduation?

I hope to go out of state for college to study either statistics or neuroscience, and start trail running, or at least running for longer distances.

Fast 6

  1. Your favorite pre-race meal: Rice Chex or Special K with almond milk
  2. What shoes do you train/race in: I've trained in the Asics GT 2000 (or 2100) model line since 8th grade, and I currently race in Nike's for cross and Saucony's for track.
  3. Favorite athlete (running or non-running): Steve Prefontaine and Rafael Nadal
  4. Favorite song: Anything by the Arctic Monkeys
  5. Favorite book: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
  6. Favorite quote: "Well, I have the key in my hand, all I have to find is the lock." --To Be or Not to Be, 1942