Most runners dream of winning just one state title in their high school career. For some runners like Brit Lang, a second state title would probably mean more than most in winning their first one. As a freshmen at Oakland Mills High School in 2012, Lang won the Maryland 2A state cross country title. So that immediately translated to more state titles over her next 2 and half years of running right? Not exactly.
A sophomore year that didn't go as well including an injury suffered during the indoor season then a junior year which saw her run lifetime bests in virtually all of her events, but stronger competition in 2A especially with the emergence of Patuxent's Hayley Jackson has kept that number of state titles for Lang the same since November of 2012... One.
The state's top returning finisher from the Foot Locker Northeast Regional and a near sub 5 minute mile performance at New Balance Nationals Outdoor has Lang starting her senior season of cross country this weekend at the Brunswick Invitational with a renewed sense of confidence to go after state title #2 this year. Check out MileSplit's Q&A interview with Brit Lang below!
Interview with Oakland Mills senior Brit Lang
How did you first get involved with running?
I first got involved with running when I was very young, maybe around five years old. Both my parents ran throughout high school and college, and have been coaching since before I was born, so I was exposed to the atmosphere very early on. My sister, who is four years older than I am, was also involved, which made me want to jump in even more.
It may take you back a while, but recall winning the state cross country title as a ninth grader and how the raced played out for as well as the feelings you experienced on that day?
Winning my first and only state title in 2012 was a blessing. Going into high school I was never sure I would be able to accomplish that goal, and I am so grateful that I did. It is a day that I will never forget. The race was interesting and kept me working the whole time. For the majority of the race a Poolesville runner and myself broke away from the rest of the pack. At around the two mile mark (when the maze on the old course began) I made my move to break away, and I was lucky enough to hold on through the finish. My family and friends were more than thrilled for my accomplishment and it was a pleasure to get to share that moment with them all. Celebrating with my team that day also made it an even more incredible occasion. The team placed second at the state meet and I was so happy that I could be apart of helping us achieve that.
After winning that title as a freshmen, did you think that you would have numerous titles over your next two years?
Winning my first ever state meet definitely set the assumption for most that I would win numerous over the next few years, but in my eyes it was never expected. It was surely a goal in my head at all times, but the competition that I have competed with since then has been outstanding. Winning is a very hard thing to do, and when it happens it is something to be thankful for, not something to just expect.
Has there been any moments of frustration in not having won a state title since? Does it bother or motivate you?
As I said in the last question, winning it not an easy thing to do. In running, only one person out of 100+ people in the race wins and when that is accomplished it is a true blessing. Again, my competition in 2A has been amazing and I am thankful to be able to run and compete with these girls. Winning is always a motivation, but there is no bother when it is not achieved. Running, for me, has always been about improvement, so as long as I am improving I am satisfied. Over the course of my high school running career I have improved a lot, especially this past year, so I am not frustrated, but satisfied and grateful.
Has there been an major setbacks or low points in your running over the last few years? What were they and how did you overcome them?
Since the fall of 2010 I have been dealing with a hip/ quad injury that has caused many set backs. I have taken a lot of time off, including my entire sophomore year indoor track season, which gets me out of shape and harder to come back at the level that I am used to. I think that I have done a decent job at managing this issue and working through it as best that I can.
Was there a moment or time where you felt your running on the upswing and getting greater confidence back?
This past year, my junior year, was a big confidence year. I got my times down pretty far and placed very well at my state meets and at New Balance Nationals and Footlocker in the fall. My sophomore year was a down year, so coming out this year as strongly as I did boosted me up a lot.
Despite having not won a state title since your freshmen year, was it encouraging last year as a junior year to run PR's in essentially all of your events?
Yes, it was very encouraging running those PR's. As I said before, running has always about improvement for me, so those times show that I have been accomplishing that.
You had a very strong race at Foot Locker Northeast last year as Maryland's top finisher taking 25th in the seeded race. How did you feel about that race and do you feel that encouraging end of season as state's top finisher helped your confidence going into track as well as coming back this fall?
I felt great about my race at Footlocker. I was kind of bummed because I was the first person to not receive a medal, and that would have been a great accomplishment, but I was very happy with how I did. My time was solid for such a difficult course, and getting 25th at a highly competitive race like that was awesome. Yes, this race did give me confidence coming into track, knowing that I was still improving.
Are you planning on racing at Foot Locker Northeast again and possibly trying to qualify for Foot Locker Nationals? Is that a goal of yours in the postseason?
I do plan on running at Footlocker again this November. Getting 10th or above and qualifying for the national meet is he ultimate goal and I would be so so so happy if that occurred, but I am just hoping that I can have another quality race and improve from last year and see how I end up.
How has your summer training been? Whats a typical week of training like been for you?
My summer training this year was the best summer training I have ever done. I am not a very high mileage runner, but I averaged 25-30 miles a week. I had one or two long runs a week, one speed work occasionally since I was racing the 4x8 at AAU nationals, and then the rest medium mileage days.
Have you started checking out colleges and planning on any visits this fall? What are you looking for in a future school?
I am still very early in my college search, but I have begun my search a little. I am looking for a warmer climate, a decent program where I would fall somewhere in the middle of the pack and somewhere further away from home so I can experience a different atmosphere.
Obviously one of your top competitors in 2A will be Hayley Jackson who state titles in all three seasons last year. How is the rivalry between you and her as well as what do you think of her as a competitor? What makes her tough to beat?
The "rivalry" if that is what you would like to call it, is strictly while running. I really enjoy Hayley as a person, talking to her in the bullpen and before/ after meets. She is a very humble and obviously outstanding competitor. She pushes me and always gives me someone to chase, which is the best way to get better at anything. She is just a great athlete and is built perfectly to run which makes her a tough on to beat.
What would you say is your greatest strength as a runner as well as an area that you would like to improve upon the most?
As a runner my greatest strength is my competitive nature and my strength. While running I can deal with a lot of setbacks (pain, heat, etc.) because of my competitiveness and wanting to always give everything that I have. A weakness I have could also be how competitive I am. Because of this, I tend to push through pain that maybe I shouldn't, and this sometimes leads to injuries.
So close to both sub 5 in the mile (5:01.22 PR) and sub 11 in the 32000 (11:00.93 PR) this past spring, obviously sub 5 and sub 11 are top time goals for you in the upcoming track season? How much faster would you like to run before you graduate?
Yes, sub 5 and sub 11 are my two biggest goals for track season. I would like to get down to around 4:55 and 10:50 for those two events. Obviously the faster the better, though.
You have had a great race (freshmen year), a not so great race (sophomore year), and a good race (junior year) at the state cross country meet. What do you think you have learned from your 3 state meet races that you can apply for your final race as a senior?
Learning my competition and knowing the course well help during my race. Knowing my competition gives me a good idea of where I should be in the race and knowing the course helps me pace correctly. When running at such a high level it is important to just stay in tune with your body and run your own race.
What are going to be keys for you to have a successful 2015 cross country season?
Keys to having a successful season for me are to just stay healthy and stay consistently training well.
What is something about you that most people would not know about you beyond your running
Most people would not know that I used to be a very dedicated and competitive soccer player. Once I got to high school I had to make the choice between the two sports, and I obviously chose cross country, but it took a lot of thought and debate.
What are your hobbies or interests outside of running?
Outside of running, my time is mostly spent writing or being with my friends/ family. My family is very tight knit and we do a lot of things together, same with my group of friends. I also have a job at a laser tag store which is pretty fun.
What are the goals for this season?
My goals for this season include running PR's and just improving from where I was last year. Anything else, such as winning, would be a plus. Another goal for the season would be to help my team prepare and help them by running well at regionals. Qualifying for states as a team might be a bit of a hardship being in the West region.
What would it mean for you to go out as a champion in senior year whether it be cross country or track?
If I were able to go out a state champ my senior year, that would be gift from God. I would be excited, happy, thrilled, blessed, just as I was my freshman year. It would be great to go out on top, but with my competition, it will be a lot of fun to see how everything ends up.
Most runners dream of winning just one state title in their high school career. For some runners like Brit Lang, a second state title would probably mean more than most in winning their first one. As a freshmen at Oakland Mills High School in 2012, Lang won the Maryland 2A state cross country title. So that immediately translated to more state titles over her next 2 and half years of running right? Not exactly.
A sophomore year that didn't go as well including an injury suffered during the indoor season then a junior year which saw her run lifetime bests in virtually all of her events, but stronger competition in 2A especially with the emergence of Patuxent's Hayley Jackson has kept that number of state titles for Lang the same since November of 2012... One.
