Three meets for a total of five races. That's how the stats page for Timber Creek rising junior Brandon Marquez read this outdoor track and field season. Marquez, who was second as a freshman at the 4A Cross Country Finals and third as a sophomore, opted to run an unattached schedule this spring. Recently he competed at the AAU Club Championships and says that although he wasn't competing as much, he was still training to perform at an elite level.
It's all about being healthy and I'm happy that I've been injury and pain free.This meet was just a see where I'm at type of meet. No taper or anything, just show up run from the front and see what I was capable of. It was good opportunity to PR in each distance to end my sophomore year."
Marquez set personal bests in both the 1500 and 3000 meters respectiveily posting times of 3:59.45 and 8:39.99. He felt he was capable of more if he had someone to chase and he might be right. He won by seven seconds in the 1500 and a whopping 50 seconds in the 3000 meters. In the process, he broke age group records in both events (4:06 and 9:06) and would have set records in the 17-18 division as well with those same times. He says there wasn't a specific plan going into those races, more of just going for it based on how he felt.
"I just went out there and it was a great set of fitness runs for me. I was happy to achieve the times I did, especially since a track meet in July in Florida is not as ideal for distance running as in spring or fall! I definitely feel like I could've ran faster in both races and I think that's a good sign that I'm on track where I want to be going into this cross country season."
Marquez set personal bests in both the 1500 and 3000 meters respectiveily posting times of 3:59.45 and 8:39.99. He felt he was capable of more if he had someone to chase and he might be right. He won by seven seconds in the 1500 and a whopping 50 seconds in the 3000 meters. In the process, he broke age group records in both events (4:06 and 9:06) and would have set records in the 17-18 division as well with those same times. He says there wasn't a specific plan going into those races, more of just going for it based on how he felt.
"I just went out there and it was a great set of fitness runs for me. I was happy to achieve the times I did, especially since a track meet in July in Florida is not as ideal for distance running as in spring or fall! I definitely feel like I could've ran faster in both races and I think that's a good sign that I'm on track where I want to be going into this cross country season."
Now that his track season has come to an end he plans to put in miles over the summer and prepare for cross country. However, the question on everyone's minds is where will Marquez run in the fall of 2014? He says his track experience put him in a good place for the upcoming season, but will he be a member of Timber Creek's team, another school, or compete unattached?
Wherever he shows up, he will be ready to perform, and fans of the sport will be happy to see him out on the course.
Wherever he shows up, he will be ready to perform, and fans of the sport will be happy to see him out on the course.
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