(Photo By Jeremy Danzie)
Ransom Everglades junior Beatriz Ruan was district, region and 2A Cross Country Finals runner-up in 2014 and brings with her the second fastest time of any returner in her class, an 18:21.00 from the Holy Trinity Fall Classic. Learn more about Ruaz on and off the cross country course in this spotlight feature!
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I've been running for 5 years. My love for running really started in 5th grade when we had running club every Wednesday in which we ran laps around the field. I would get really competitive with all my class mates and try to beat the boys to run as many laps as possible. Also the presidential fitness test where we had to run the mile was a huge deal in my grade. I won the power award for fastest girl's mile, which happened to beat many of the boys times too. My dad would often take me running to the dog park near snapper creek and then to wayside market for breakfast on Saturdays, which also increased my interest in running. I started running as an actual sport in 6th grade where I ran middle school xc and then high school track in the spring.
Do you remember your first real race?
Yes, it was the Belen Invitational in 2010. I was so nervous I considered escaping and avoiding the dreaded pain or the race all together. I was a 1.5 mile course, specifically for 6th graders. I started off the race in 3rd, then by the first half mile I settled into first behind the pacer from the Belen high school cross country team. I finished my first race ever in first place with pretty big lead, my legs feeling like lead, and a teary hug from my surprised mom when I crossed the finish line.
How is your summer training going?
My summer training is growing pretty well. It's the time when we get the most mileage of the season in, so the workouts are tough. We run between 3 to 5 miles a day, with some more interval type workouts on Wednesdays.The longest run so far has been an 11 miler up in North Carolina at our xc team camp at Appalachian State University. Apart from the state xc meet last year, I don't think I've ever been more tired or felt more accomplished, given that half of the run was up a mountain.
What is your favorite workout?
My favorite workout has to be 400 repeats. I know that probably sounds crazy and most runners would disagree, but it's the perfect distance for a nice burst of speed to make you feel fast but short enough to recover quickly from. They also don't take that long so even if you do 12 of them you'll be home early.
Which meets will you be running in this year?
I'll be running in the Wickham Jamboree, Youth Fair, UF Invite, FLrunners Invite, FSU Pre State Meet, Orange Bowl Invite, and the Celtic Invite.
Do you have a favorite course?
My favorite course is the FLrunners one in Titusville. It's fast, flat, and beautiful, especially when the sun is beginning to rise.
Which course would you consider the toughest?
The hardest course is by far at Larry and Penny Thompson Park. It feels treacherously long, there's no shade, the ground is uneven and mostly limestone. It's taken me a year to finally be able to run it confidently.
Out of all your running accomplishments so far, which stands out the most?
I think my best running accomplishment has been placing 3rd in the 3200 at last year's state track meet behind Julia Montgomery and Mackenzie Wilson. I led the entire race, well aware of Julia and Mackenzie using me to block the wind for them. By the last 200 of the last lap they gradually overtook me and left me behind. Gritting my teeth, I pushed until the very end, with not one regret in my mind. I didn't PR and didn't win, both of which had been my goals, but I teared up with happiness as I hugged my assistant coach. All I felt was pure joy at that moment for the most valuable prize for me was not gold, but giving that race every ounce of effort I had. That bronze metal is the most treasured piece of jewelry I own.
What are your goals for the upcoming cross country season?
My goals for the upcoming xc season are to break 18 minutes, which may be a far reach but, if I've learned anything from this sport it's that we're more capable than we think we are and shouldn't be afraid to dream big. I want our team to win state as well, to make sure our coach leaves (whenever he does) with a state title from the past 10 years and my name on it. I also want to mentor the younger runners on my team and make sure they are aware of how import their health and nutrition are, to prevent them from repeating my mistake (when I passed out in my very first high school xc race at the one and only Larry and Penny).
What do you love most about running?
The thing I love the most about running is losing myself in the joy of it or the runner's high as I guess most people know it as. There's no better feeling than waking up early and running when the whole world's asleep, getting lost in thought as you run for miles on end and feeling like you're soaring over the ground. Having a nice huge breakfast afterwards is also a great plus.
The Low Down
We wanted to get in-depth and personal with Beatriz. Check out the low down.
Do you have a favorite quote?
I know it may be an overused one but my favorite quote is "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." -Steve Prefontaine - It really resonates with me and I kinda use it as a mantra for my races.
Do you have any pre-race rituals or routines?
I kind of have this weird thing I do before races where I jump really high up and down as I tuck my legs underneath me, kind of like a squat jump. I do this a few times at the starting line while I'm waiting for the race to start. I also love wearing crazy socks with different designs on them, from eggs and bacon in a smiley face to a skull in bones. I think of them as my personal trade mark and am always on the search to find different ones to make sure they stay unique.
What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is Mediterranean/Indian food. There's nothing better than some hummus, babaganoush, chicken curry and warm naan bread after long day.
What was the last movie you saw and what did you think of it?
The last movie I saw was Inside Out. It was different from any kids movie I've ever seen and really made me think. It taught me just how much your emotions control your actions and I highly recommend it for all ages.
What brand of shoes do you train/race in?
I train in Saucony Kinvaras which are relatively light but have just the right amount of support. I race in Nike XC spikes with a leopard pattern but they always get holes on the sides of my pinky toes from the way my foot hits the ground when I run.
What professional athlete would you like to meet the most?
I would have loved to meet Prefontaine and talk about his running philosophy. But, since that's no longer possible, I would like to meet Mary Cain. She was a fifth grade prodigy, running insanely fast 800s and 1600s until a coach from the Nike Program took her in in high school. She has been running professionally ever since. I read an article about her about a year ago and she's been kind of a role model for me since.
What is something most people don't know about you?
Most people don't know that in elementary school, I didn't drink from a single plastic bottle for a full 3 years. I was a huge environmentalist and that was my form of protest. I won the Green Award from the Sierra Club for my efforts. I was also president of the Green Club at my school; we called ourselves the Green Warriors.
Lastly, if you were stranded on an island with three things what would they be?
If I was stranded on an island I would have one of those straws that filter water as you drink from it, a decked out pocket knife, and a radio so I could send out an SOS and be rescued.
More Coverage
- Beatriz's Athlete Profile
- Ransom Everglades Team Page
- 2A Girls Individual Rankings
- 2A Girls Team Rankings
