Hello fellow readers, I'm Alex Esposito, co-founder of Hillsborough Distance Running. My running career begin in the Auten Road Intermediate School Running Club when I was in fifth grade. I was not very interested in running at the time; I just did it to stay in shape for basketball. Once middle school rolled around, I decided to give cross country a shot. I enjoyed running under the coaching of Brian Hahl, but in 7th grade I was an average runner, usually placing in the top 15. In 8th grade things really changed for me. In the final week of summer vacation with school right around the corner, I hadn't run at all. My mom told me to get off my ass and start running, and that's just what I did. That day was a turning point in my life, I realized I had to stop being lazy and accomplish something. Since then, I have taken my running skills to a whole new level. For around half the season, I usually placed in the top five. I remember after one meet when I finished 8th, my coach told me that it wasn't my best performance and he knew I could do better. His words gave me the confidence to be the runner that I am today. I started working harder and harder and the results that I wanted came. Once my buddy Marcus went down with his knee problems, I took over the #2 spot, and held that spot for just about every meet the rest of the year. Not only myself, but our entire team had an outstanding year that won't ever be topped. We only lost one meet that year, to Timberlane, or "The Evil Empire", in which our #1 runner, A.J. Kaletski, and Timberlane's #1 runner were involved in a controversial finish. Timberlane's runner allegedly cut off a small bit of a turn, but those few feet proved to be the difference, as we unfortunately lost. To end my middle school running career, I finished sixth at the Ed Scott Invitational at Pingry Middle School. I hope to continue running for the rest of my life. This year, I was a member of the HHS Cross Country team, and I was quite disappointed in myself after not getting the times I had hoped for. This summer, Marcus and I are going to train harder than anyone else and we will do whatever it takes to get those varsity letters. I also run winter track and spring track. I really love running, and I don't know what I'd do without it.PR's:
800m: 2:24
1600m: 5:34 (I only ran it once in the beginning of the year, I'm definitely looking to improve on that)
5K: 18:33
3200m: 11:29
I started running for the same reasons you did too. I ran for hillsborough for four years. I don't think it would be a wise decision to play volleyball in the spring. Spring track will get your times down faster. If you want to be the best you need to commit to one sport, and if running is your life, you should stick with it.
ReplyDeleteI was at the same mile time as you when I was a freshman. By the end of spring track I got it down to a 5:05. I'm just making a suggestion because your story is very similar to mine and you can be the best if you work your ass off in spring track. That's just the way to go. Jason Walton stayed with track and XC only, that's why he was the best.
Impressive 5k time for a freshman.
Its a damn hard choice. I felt like I was pressured by many to do volleyball, by my parents and people on the team. I know a lot of people would be disappointed in me if i chose to do track, but running is my love, and I want to be the best I can be. I already signed up for volleyball, but tryouts don't start for like a month, so there's still an opportunity. I'm going to talk with my parents. And thanks for giving me some advice man.
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