(Photo By Jeremy Danzie)
Pine Crest junior Michael Kennedy was fifth in the 3,200m at the 2A state championship this spring. On the cross country course, he boasts a 16:21.00 personal best set at the Cross Country Finals where he was 9th. Kennedy, who guided Pine Crest to a runner-up team trophy last fall, talked to us about the upcoming season, and some of his favorite things off the course.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I've been running since the 6th grade. Cross country for the first two years of middle school was just a lot of fun and games. That's why I joined. I wasn't going to not do a sport and all my friends did cross country. Maybe it's the example my class has set, but if I was in the 6th or 7th grade today I wouldn't even want to sign up! Some of these guys are doing way more than just playing capture the flag and running in a few outdoor two milers. It wasn't until the summer before 8th grade that my training for distance running began in earnest.
Do you remember your first real race?
My first race that I remember considering as very real was Pre-States on JV when I was in 8th grade. To this day I love that course up in Tallahassee and this was my first time there. I remember coming down the final stretch after the 3 mile mark and hearing my pal Ryan yelling "You're gonna break 20 Michael!" And before finishing I had to shout back "Hey, I really am!"
How is your summer training going?
This summer so far has been pretty awesome in terms of training. I guess I forget how little I did in summers past but I really turned the milage and speed up this summer. I like that feeling of progress all the time.
What is your favorite workout?
In the fall I really like when we get the opportunity to have some nice distance runs down A1A, they give me a chance to add some miles for the week, and they let me have some great conversations with my friends. Another favorite of mine is when, in the spring, we do plenty of reps of 300s.
Which meets will you be running in this year?
The usual crop of home meets, Pre-States, Fl Runners, and Martin County Under the Lights are going to be supplemented by a few new additions to our schedule, the Horse Park and Westminster Invitationals.
Do you have a favorite course? What do you think is the toughest course in the state?
I really like the course for FL Runners at Titusville. It was the first place I broke 17 way back in freshman year and a lot changed then for me as an athlete. The toughest course may very well be the state meet course in Tallahassee. Any amazing times there are run in spite of the hills and terrain and because of the competition and the context. I think that Chain of Lakes Park (flrunners Invitational) is the perfect combo of both the competition and the relatively easy course terrain.
Out of all your running accomplishments so far, which stands out the most?
Getting my schools records for the 5k and the 3200 my sophomore year really did it for me. Having my name as fixtures on that board by our track really humbles me and makes me want to work hard every day I come out there, knowing that with enough work I can break them again.
What are your goals for the upcoming cross country season?
This season I really want to just continue off of what we achieved last fall with our runner-up performance at the 2A championship. We've all been working very hard and adding on miles, with the expectation that we're only gonna improve more and more this fall.
What do you love most about running?
My favorite part of running has to be the friends it's afforded me. Almost all of my closest friends make up this team and I really don't know what it'd be like or if I'd come out every day without these guys.
Finish the sentence... Michael Kennedy is ____.
Michael Kennedy is dedicated to competing and leading the Panthers to another great year of distance running.
The Low Down
We wanted to get in-depth and personal with Michael. Check out the low down.
(Photo courtesy Michael Kennedy)
Do you have a favorite quote?
"I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened." -Mark Twain
Do you have any pre-race rituals or routines?
I do some strides and leg swings. I don't want to over think anything or try anything new right before a race.
What is your favorite food?
Any steak my dad grills!
What was the last movie you saw and what did you think of it?
I saw Ant Man. I think it was a lot of fun and an instant classic. I'd give it five bags of popcorn for sure!
What brand of shoes do you train/race in?
I wear Newton Gravities, They're lightweight and the lugs on the front promote good form. For racing I've just had the same pair of Nike rival XCs since I started high school.
What professional athlete would you like to meet the most?
Charles Barkley, I think he'd be fun to be around and he was truly one of the greats.
What is something most people don't know about you?
There's not much my teammates and friends don't know about me. But third-wave coffee and standup comedy keep me busy outside of the usual school and running.
Lastly, if you were stranded on an island with three things what would they be?
Between music and podcasts my iPod would be my first choice. After that I'd have to bring my Kindle with some books on it. Are these cheating? Either way, my third choice would be a friend, I don't think they'd be super happy with being stuck on and island, but tough.