Patuxent senior Hayley Jackson made her 2016 cross country debut - and first time racing since last winter - with a dominant victory at the Barnhart Invitational. Her time of 18:03.91 is the second-fastest in Maryland this season behind Walter Johnson's Abigail Green. Read here as she talks about her win and more!
MileSplit MD: This being your first race since last winter, what sort of feelings did you have leading up to the race? How about once the gun went off?
Hayley Jackson: My feelings before the race was better than usual, I had the same old healthy nerves and was just in such a great mood to come back to competing. Thinking about it I was probably more excited than nervous. Stepping on the line I heard coaches say to their athletes "just follow Hayley" then it hit me even harder, I had all this pressure on me again to do well. The nerves were coming in over the excitement. Then I looked over to my team and they were giggling and having a good time. I just remembered don't be stressed run YOUR race and have an amazing time. When the gun went off all my nerves turned into adrenaline and I was ready to make this my race!
MS: You created a sizable gap within the first mile of the race - did you have your eye on the meet record (17:49.00)?
HJ: For the first mile I didn't want to go out to fast but I wanted to get out. I wasn't affected by not leading the first part around the field, but once I got up to all the spectators I spotted and heard some of my family members which made me really happy and just pushed me to run faster. Once I hit the mile mark I saw my split and it said 5 something I was, "Oh that's fast oops!" But I still felt great so I just went with it and just let my legs take me. I wasn't really thinking about the record honestly. I was honestly thinking about which family member or friend I was going to see next in the sidelines cheering me on.
MS: How did you feel about the course, seeing it for the first time?
HJ: I LOVED IT! First of all great weather! That really helped. I really liked the course and how flat it was with the downhills. Yes there was hills but nothing too dramatic. It was very spectator friendly which I liked. Even though I was running on fields I somehow didn't get bored. There was things to look at around the course at points like all the cute dogs everywhere.
MS: What improvements do you feel you have made as a runner since this time last season? Any changes in training?
HJ: My confidence is SO much better. I'm way more positive and always try to have a smile on my face! It's going to take a lot of you try to take me down. Lots of changes in training. First off my mom is a coach so that's interesting sometimes. Not much has changed with my training but my attitude towards it. I don't fear workouts anymore I just get them done and smile cause it's over and I felt good about.
MS: Do you have a set time goal for the end of the season? How about postseason race plans?
HJ: I would love to run in the 17:10s - that would be amazing! Postseason I would to go back to NYC for foot locker to redeem myself.
