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Ellary Battle

Alamogordo's Ellary Battle is finding herself in the swing of things this season, coming off a 4th place finish at the 5A State Cross Country Championships and now a multiple distance event contender going into June. Today we get to find out more about Ellary in our Getting to Know New Mexico Athletes Series.

When did you first start competing in track and field, and do you recall any of your childhood competitions?

I started track in seventh grade but I've been running for a long time. The first "race" I ever did was just a little one mile fun run that I did when I was maybe 9 years old, but I won and I think that's when I really fell in love with running and competing.

Was there a certain moment when you realized you'd be able to compete at such a high level?

I don't think I realized how good I could actually be until just this past cross country season when I started winning meets and training like I can and should. Before that, I had a mental barrier that was holding me back but once I was able to overcome that I started to be really successful.

What are some bumps in the road that you've encountered when it comes to training for different events during the season?

Nothing about track is easy, especially not our practices, so sometimes it is hard to keep pushing through but it's always worth it.

How did COVID impact your training as you prepared for the season?

It is still really difficult to run with a mask on but I'm just happy to compete at all.

If you had to pick: Track and Field or Cross Country, and why?

I would definitely pick track. There's a super competitive but also super positive and fun feel to track that nothing else compares to.

Is there another track event you wish you were good at? What is appealing about it?

I've always thought hurdles would be fun but I don't think I'm coordinated enough to be good at them

What are some hobbies and interests you have outside of running?

I love the outdoors so hiking, swimming, and biking are some of my favorites. I also really love reading and traveling.

Who is your role model, and why?

My role model is my grandpa because he is a great athlete (he ran track and played tennis in high school and college) and an even better person. He has done so many amazing things in his life and he inspires me to do anything and everything that I can. He is one of my biggest supporters and he always offers advice and tips for my running.

Everyone has a bucket list, so give us some of the things on your list!

Hike through Iceland, run a marathon, travel the world, go shark diving, scuba dive, run in college, live in Hawaii, win state (track and cross country)

What is the best advice you have received?

My coach tells us that we "train hard to win easily" and I think that's really true and I try to remember that while I'm training and racing.

What is your favorite pre-race snack, tradition, etc.?

My favorite tradition is that my team slaps the top of each other's hands while we are on the line of a race to get the nerves out. It always makes us laugh so we start the race in a good mood.

If you could do a sport other than XC/Track, what sport would it be, and why?

I think swim would be fun because I like swimming and I want to do triathlons so it would probably help with training for that