Fort Walton Beach senior Trey LaNasa was 22nd at last year's 3A Cross Country finals. LaNasa, will be one of the top returners for the Vikings this year and owns a personal best of 15:48.73. Last year, we had the privilege of findnig out what was happening int he Panhandle in his weekly blog series. See what Trey has been up to this summer, how he started out in the sport, the low down, and more in this XC Spotlight.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
Believe it or not it started running to become healthier because I was always heavy as a child so I went out for the team my 8th grade year.
Do you remember your first real race?
My first real race was a complete debacle. I went out way too hard and ended up using the run/. walk method to finish. Even with all that I think I still ended up winning the race.
How is your summer training going?
Summer training has always been three things for me: long, grinding, and really hot. I'm running about the same mileage if not a little less than I did last year but my focus has been making all my miles at quality pace ranging from easy runs
at 6:40ish pace to my harder ones that progress down to low 6 minute territory. I keep my mileage generally in the lower 60's but I don't hold myself a slave to it. If I'm feeling tired ill run a little less that week and if I'm feeling good ill run a little more. It's important to me to listen to my body more than anything else. My nutrition plan is to basically eat everything in sight with the exception of sugars and chocolate. I really enjoy cross training in the gym; I never feel stronger as a runner as I do when I have a consistent gym routine.
What is your favorite workout?
My coaches don't like us to divulge too much information about specific workouts but if you put me on a track for a periodized 400m hammer workout I'm a happy guy. Oh and hammers are basically the third interval in a specific set should be "hammered" which is why we use the verbiage.
Which meets will you be running in this year?
The big meets we'll be running are North Port, Flrunners, and Pre-State amongst smaller local meets.
Do you have a favorite course? What do you think is the toughest course in the state?
Right now the state course at ARP is my favorite. You can't beat the elite atmosphere, course conditions, or speed that it offers. Basically it runs as fast as a track with the features of a true cross country course. The toughest course in the state is bar none at the Eglin Golf Course in Niceville Florida. The times range from about 90-120 seconds off someone's PR.
Out of all your running accomplishments so far, which stands out the most? Do you have favorite race or memory?
Out of the [few] running accomplishments that I have acheived I am most proud of our state runner up podium finish in cross country my sophomore year. The guys on that team were my best friends and it was such a great feeling to send them off with some hardware.
What do you love most about running?
My favorite part about running is that feeling when you realize that you are in fantastic shape. We take for granted that we can go out and run without feeling discomfort or fatigue. Knowing that, every once in a while I like to sit back and truly admire the run itself and the fact that God has blessed me with the ability to do what I love.
The Low Down
We wanted to get in-depth and personal with Trey. Check out the low down.
Do you have a favorite quote?
My favorite quote is O'Captain O'Captain our fearful trip is done." -Walt Whitman
Do you have any pre-race rituals or routines?
I don't really have any set in stone prerace routines just because I have an "all over the place" personality. Sometimes I'm really focused and reserved and other times I'm laughing and joking until the gun goes off. Each have been met with equal amounts of success and failure so I don't worry about it too much.
What is your favorite food?
There is a little pizza place in WaterSound,Florida called Bruno's. They make these things called "cinnanots" and they are the most fantastic thing in the world.
What was the last movie you saw and what you thought of it?
The last movie I saw was Dead Poets Society in honor of the late Robin Williams. Cinematic classic.
What shoes do you train/race in?
I train in Brooks and race in Nikes.
What professional athlete would you like to meet the most?
That is an easy choice. I would like to meet Nick Symmonds because he fights for what he believes in and opposes the establishment. Athletes like him are the ones that will put track and field on the map.
What are three things most people don't know about you?
Most people probably don't know that I have horrible eyesight. I just got glasses this past summer and it was like a whole new world opened up to me.
