2004 FOOT LOCKER CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Pre-race interview with Aislinn Ryan

by Ricky Quintana

Aislinn Ryan, click to enlarge (Photo: Alison Wade/NYRR)

Aislinn Ryan, a junior at Warwick Valley High School in Bellvale, New York, qualified for the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships by finishing second at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional.

Fast-Women.com: How does the course look for you this year?
Aislinn Ryan: It's kind of muddy, but that's okay.

FW: I guess that since Great American, you've been chasing Nicole Blood a little bit. How has the season gone?
AR: It's been going pretty good. I've been PRing every race and actually yeah, I've been behind Nicole. I'm really happy about the times. Summer training has really paid off. I've been running like I wanted to.

FW: Who are the girls who are going to be big factors in this race?
AR: I think anyone is a factor. We've all made it so I think everyone is pretty much at the same level.

FW: What are you going do differently this year to place better than last year?
AR: This year, I have higher expectations for myself. I'm just going to try and run like I have been running this whole year. Just try to stay with the top pack and run my race.

FW: Do you have confidence that you can kick with these women in the last part?
AR: Yes, I do.

FW: Do you think it will come down to that?
AR: I really have no idea how the race is going to go. Seriously, last year and the year before are the only two races I've watched before. It's unpredictable. You never know what is going to happen. Especially the boys' race.

FW: What kind of time do you think it will take to win here?
AR: Last year, Katelyn won with a low 17:20. Not saying that that's not fast, but I think it will be faster than that. These girls are a little bit faster than last year. Everyone's running a little bit better, so times will be in the low 17's.

FW: Do you like this course?
AR: Yeah, I like it. The one hill is tough, but it's nothing like Bear Mountain which I run all the time. I like this course, it's nice.

FW: Do you do any preparations for a course like this?
AR: Well, I live all [around] hills, so wherever I run is like preparing for hills.

(Interview conducted and posted on December 10, 2004.)