2004 FOOT LOCKER CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Pre-race interview with Zoe Nelson

by Ricky Quintana

Zoe Nelson, click to enlarge (Photo: Alison Wade/NYRR)

Zoe Nelson qualified for the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships by finishing second at the Foot Locker West Regional. Nelson is the 2002 Foot Locker champion.

Fast-Women.com: How are you feeling this year?
Zoe Nelson: I'm feeling really good, a lot better than last year. I think last year I put a ton of pressure on myself and I've tried to not do that this year...

FW: Have you taken that kind of approach the last couple of years or has it kind of evolved?
ZN: Just mostly this year I've been more relaxed going into races. My goal is to get top 10.

FW: Anything different that you see about the course this year?
ZN: There are a couple of spots that are pretty muddy. They look like you could sink into them. Other than that, it looks pretty good.

FW: What about the strategy for this race? You've won it and finished behind. What are you going to do this year as far as your strategy goes?
ZN: I think at first I'll try to be a little conservative for a little bit, then pick it up because I can't be too close to people towards the end. I don't have as great a kick as some of these people. If I want to beat people, I have to be ahead a ways before the end. [I'll] probably not go out too fast and pick it up the second mile.

FW: Do you still love hills?
ZN: I don't know if I love them, but I feel that they are a strength of mine.

FW: Do you think this course plays to your strength?
ZN: I think so. It's not as tough as some courses. Mt. SAC is a lot hillier. Of course there are downhills too, and that's other people's strength. I think it's a good course for me.

FW: This is your fourth year here. What kind of emotions have been going through your mind?
ZN: I haven't really thought about that too much. A lot people have asked me if I'm sad that it will be over. I haven't thought about it. I know I will be [sad] afterwards. I'm looking forward to college enough that it will be okay. I think college will be a good experience.

FW: Are some of the other kids looking to you for advice?
ZN: Not really. If you made it here, you obviously know what you are doing.

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