Hey all Florida running fans, my name is Quincy O’Connor and I am just getting underway in my senior year at Celebration High School, right outside of Orlando. After a great summer of running and some fun, I am now getting my final XC season underway. My summer this year was nothing too crazy, just building mileage. I was lucky enough to be able to go to camp in Flagstaff, AZ, which for all those who like to travel, I would highly recommend. I have never been to a city more perfectly set up for runners than Flagstaff; and I cannot think of a better place to train.
I began my season at Trinity Prep last weekend, and was fortunate enough to have a good race with Daniel Salas, of Trinity Prep, to start off my season after a long summer. The first meet of the season is always fun for me. After running strictly mileage for such a long period of time leading up the season, it is exciting to be able to lace up my spikes and let loose over the course of five kilometers. This weekend was a bit different however. My coaches decided that I was going to take the weekend off, and just run a workout rather than race, which meant that I had the rare opportunity to relax and spectate a cross country meet. This was great because I have younger twin sisters who both run for our girl’s team. However I rarely am able to see them race, so it was fun to be able to cheer them on.
Being a spectator also made me realize how awesome our sport is. Being an athlete it is sometimes difficult to fully appreciate the wonder that is cross country; not many sports involve waking up at the crack of dawn to go run through the woods. It really is a life changing sport for all those involved, whether it is athletes, coaches, or parents; and I realized this morning how lucky I am to have gotten involved in the sport when I was in 7th grade, I am whole heartedly thankful to all those who pushed me into the sport. It is the type of thing that as athletes we should think about every now and again, and take time to show appreciation and thanks for those who nudged us in the right direction. It is crazy what simply watching a cross country race rather than running can make you think! So, on that note, I’d like to thank all those people who got me into the sport, and all you reading this should go do the same!
Anyways, aside from all that, the meet at Mt. Dora went great. My team ran better than they have since I joined the program here at Celebration at the start of my junior year, it was a really great thing to see the huge steps forward that all of my teammates are making. Even outside of my team, it was a great meet to watch. Both varsity races were exciting. The winners of both respective races looked great all the way through, despite the fact that Mt. Dora is quite a hilly course for Florida. So congrats to both Mitchell Moore and Vanessa Valentine on great races!
My next race will be next weekend at the Mt. Dew invite at the University of Florida. I did not run this race last year, so I am excited to race at UF for the first time, and to be in a very competitive race for the first time this season. Until then I will be training hard, despite the dreadful heat of Florida (still not use to it!), and studying; hoping to make senior year one to remember.
More On Quincy
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Cross Country Q&A - Quincy O'Connor (Article) Celebration's Quincy O'Connor is one of the top runners in Osceola County. Last year he moved to the Sunshine State from New York and finished 14th at the 3A Cross Country Championships. See what O'Connor has in store for his senior season, what he likes to do when he isn't running, and much more in this Cross Country Q&A. - 2011-09-02 11:40:00
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Quincy O'Connor - Boys Varsity Winner (Video)
O'Connor is new to Florida, moving down from New York, and put up another good performance today. - 2010-10-09 00:00:00