The top four finishers from the 2011 4A Cross Country Championships graduated. Chamberlain's Max del Monte finished fifth, but if you ask the senior who his biggest competition for a state title is, there is none. He's not being arrogant either. He is simply focused on being the best that he can.
"It's really just about racing Max del Monte. As long as I'm giving 110 percent in every race, if I cross the line and know I left every drop of blood on the course behind me and I finished with everything I had then I can be content and live with myself. I think a lot of people get caught up in racing against time and that's great, but for me personally, I'm going to be racing myself and that is the only person I'll be looking to beat."
Del Monte's quest to better himself and be at the top of his game is evolving before his eyes. As a freshman he was averaging around 18 minutes a 5K. Three years later he has improved his time by nearly three minutes. He says his summer training and preparation for the 2011 season has gone well.
"It's been a long summer, but it's been pretty consistent mileage; about 80-85 miles per week. Our team went to Clermont for a running camp that my coach puts on every year. Basically, the focus is to run a lot of miles and get a change of scenery with the hills. They are great because you get the miles, but you also get the strength factor."
The team worked out at Lake Louisa State Park and also had access to the National Training Center. At the NTC they had the opportunity to witness some of the top athletes working out and even some that were rehabbing.
"We saw Tyson Gay several times since he was there for rehab and therapy. To see people like him and other great athlete it's inspiring when I go up there. I always do good workouts there and feel good when I'm in that environment knowing there are a lot of active people working out up there. It's a very inspiring environment to be in that's for sure."
Unlike the rest of his teammates, del Monte does not attend Chamberlain High School. He is home schooled. He says that many people believe home schooled students are locked up inside all day, but it's not like that.
"I think I get out more than most of my peers do. I go out to lunch with family a couple times a week or over to my dad's office (he is an architect) and watch him work, hangout with his employees and see what they do."
The senior doesn't train during "school hours", but does go for runs in the morning and tries to build in some core exercises depending on what he has going on during the day. Other than that the senior says it's strictly practice with the guys every night. He attributes his success to a smart training schedule.
"I think training has a big part to do with it. As far as practice goes between running and core training it is about half and half and that is the biggest difference for me. It hasn't been running, but core exercises and range of motion type things. It's important to use those muscles you don't normally focus on. The biggest thing that worked for me last year was training hard, but knowing my limits, not overtraining, and being a smart racer. I definitely think I could have ran quicker times in earlier meets, but I think racing is a process, and you can't get too picky in your earlier years because you don't want to peak too early."
Del Monte is looking forward to Pre-State later this season. He loves the crowd and the competition and says he wishes he could watch from the stands. When it comes time for that race and the rest of his races this season his fiercest competition will be staring back at him. It is a time for him to run his race and get to his peak. It's all part of beating Max del Monte.
"My one goal is to beat Max del Monte. If that means running 16 minute or 15 minutes I want to be the best I can be. I don't want to limit myself to someone's times or goals. The only way I can run is if I put that behind me and forget about everyone else that is out there and beat Max del Monte."
Personal Bests
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1600 Meter Run4:12.51 -
3200 Meter Run9:25.49
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5000 Meter Run15:03.71
Interview: Max del Monte and Jake Covington After Pre-State
More Coverage
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Max's Athlete Profile
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Article: Max del Monte Pushing It To The Limit
- Article: Del Monte: There's No Place Like Home (School)
