Athlete Name: Kathleen Leblanc
School: Thornton Academy
Year of Graduation: 2016
2012 State Meet Finish: 12th Class A 19:48
Best time in a 5K race and in which meet:
My best time was 19:48.53 in last years state meet in Belfast.
Tell us how your summer training is going?:
My summer training is going great. I have been following my coach's training schedule and I can feel improvement. It's not too difficult, but we are making sure that I will peak at the same time I did last season. I have also enjoyed being able to run with my dad, sister and also a few teammates
What are your goals for the upcoming season?:
My goals for the upcoming season are to just overall keep improving and to PR. And I plan to work my hardest to do so.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?:
When I was young I did Saco Bay Striders one summer because my parents thought it would be fun if I tried track. I ended up not totally liking it and never did track again until sixth grade. I did do cross country in sixth grade, but had to quit after a week due to travel soccer. In track, I did most of the short distance races, hurdles and long jump. My coaches kept telling me I would be great for distance, but I never really listened until eighth grade and we did the mile in gym and I did it in 6:48, but by the end of the year I had it at 6 flat. Moving into high school I was debating on even doing cross country in the fall and was very close not to, but I did and ended up loving it and doing very well for a Freshman.
Will you be competing anywhere out of state this season?:
I hope to be competing at New England's again which I have heard will be held out of state.
What is your favorite course to run in Maine?:
My favorite courses to run in Maine would have to be Vaughn Woods and Twin Brook
What is the toughest course to run in Maine?:
The toughest course to run in Maine would probably have to be Vaughn Woods. Even though it is one of my favorites it has to be the toughest.
What meet during the regular season do you put extra emphasize on to compete well at?:
I try to compete well in all my races during the regular season, but I believe I put a little bit more emphasis into the last couple of races because they determine really where you go from there.
What is your favorite cross country race so far in your high school career?:
My favorite race so far would have to be Regionals, because I went into that race not knowing what to think. But when everyone saw Pan and then started to scream "Go Charlotte", but realized it was me...It was the best feeling ever. I feel like no one knew about me until that very moment and it was just the best feeling. It's something that words can't explain.
Favorite cross country memory?:
My favorite memory would have to be our Saturday long runs when we all just took it slow and made it as interesting as possible. We found a few trails, came up with a few games and challenges, but most of all it was just so much fun to be doing something you love with your friends.
When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?:
My favorite thing to do when I am not running is to hang out with friends and family. I don't know what I would do without their love and support.
Favorite quote?:
My favorite quote is "I tell our runners divide the race into thirds. Run the first with your head, the middle part with your personality, and the last with your heart." -Mike Fanelli
I like this quote because I feel like this is exactly how I run my races and I feel like that is the key to having a good race.
What shoes do you train in?:
For training I switch off between a pair of Asics GT-2000 and Nike Zooms.
What shoes do you race in?:
For racing I use a pair of New Balance pink and grey light weight spikes, but I might be getting a new pair this season due to how long I have had them.
What professional athlete would you most like to meet?:
The professional athlete I always wanted to meet was Joan Benoit Samuelson and for Christmas last year my parents gave me a slip saying just that "Sometime after the holidays, you will be going on a run with 1984 Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson!". So this summer I met Joan at Back Bay in Portland and we went for a run together. It was a lot of fun and a great experience.
What is something that most people don't know about you?
I am a identical twin, I help out with Saco Bay Striders, and I used to be the water girl for TA's Freshman Football team when I was in middle school.