XC Watchlist: Anneka Murrin- Yarmouth HS

XC 2015 Preview

Derek Veilleux

Aug 22, 2015

<p> Check out our 2015 Maine XC previews as we prepare for the upconing season</p>

XC Watchlist: Anneka Murrin - Yarmouth HS

Athlete Name: Anneka Murrin

School: Yarmouth HS

Year of Graduation: 2018

2014 State Meet Finish: 6th in Class B 19:52.96

How long have you been running and how did you get started?

At first, running and I had a complicated relationship. My parents signed me up to run with a track club when I was young. I lost interest in running until my family moved down to Oregon. I was about 11 at the time when the 7/8th grade teacher/coach, Mr.Stemple, convinced me to join the schools cross country team. Turns out I had a talent for running and that was when I got my first pair of Nike spikes (the ones I still run in today) and Nike Frees. I guess that I owe my inspiration for running to Mr.Stemple.

Do you remember your first real race?

I could never forget my first real race. It was in Yreka, California with my cross country team from Ruch, Oregon. The course was a 3k loop around a lake, half gravel and half pavement. I took second place to my teammate Amy Watson. I can't remember my time, but if I am to guess, it would be horrible. To be honest, I had no idea what the heck I was doing.

How is your summer training going?

Unfortunately, I have to say that my summer training could have been better. I came down with a hip injury at the beginning of outdoor track season. I ran in Western Maine Conference but due to the injury, I didn't run at states. The injury took me out for at least two months. My whole summer has been balancing cycling, cross fit, and physical therapy appointments to try and get back to running. Late June was the start of my summer running and so far things are going well. I'm managing running most the week, along with cycling and cross fit.

What is your favorite workout?

I really enjoy any type of hill workout.

Which meets will you be running in this year?

As many as I am allowed too

Do you have a favorite course? What do you think is the toughest course in the state?

So far, my favorite course is the 2014 New England's course in Connecticut. My opinion for the toughest course in Maine has got to be Pratt's Brook. Which is too bad, because it is my teams home course.

Out of all your running accomplishments so far, which stands out the most?

To me, I feel the most proud about my performance in the 2014 New England's XC race. I didn't expect to do that well, my place and time pleasantly surprised me.

What are your goals for the upcoming cross country season?

Individually, I would like to make it to States and place in the top 10. For the team, I would like YHS to place at least in the top three in the state.

What do you love most about running?

I enjoy the freedom. When I run alone, it is just me and the road ahead. I don't have to worry about work, school, house chores, anything. I have complete control over where to run and when it stops. That is the reason I love running.

Finish the sentence Anneka Murrin is

Anneka Murrin is stoked for cross country season!

Do you have a favorite quote?

"Don't mistake my kindness for weakness." - Al Capone

Do you have any pre-race rituals or routines?

Of course I have a pre-race ritual! The day before any race I watch "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers".

What is your favorite food?

I enjoy my mother's orange chicken stir fry with brown rice.

What was the last movie you saw and what did you think of it?

The last movie that I saw was 2013 film: "The Great Gatsby". Considering that I have seen it multiple times and own the movie, I would say that my feelings towards it are quite strong (on the positive end).

What brand of shoes do you train/race in?

I use to train in all Nike, but then my coach introduced me to the Saucony Kinvara. I now train in the Saucony Kinvara 6 with a 4mm offset. The spikes that I race in for cross country have been the same ones that I have ran in since the 6th grade. They are the Nike Zoom Forever XC 2 spikes. In case anyone would be wondering, I run in the Nike Victory 2 spikes for track.

What professional athlete would you like to meet the most?

The athlete that I have admired for so long is Alexi Pappas. She has been my inspiration for a while now and I haven't gotten the chance to meet her yet. I would be very pleased to do so one day.

What is something most people don’t know about you?

The one thing about me that many wouldn't know is that I have cold and sports induced asthma. Having asthma doesn't damage much of my running performance, though it has taken me out of a few races. My main goal with the condition is to not let it be reason as to why I didn't try my hardest.

Lastly, if you were stranded on an island with three things what would they be?

To begin, I hope that my time on the island would not turn into Tom Hanks' situation in "Cast Away". Though, if I were stranded on an island, the three items that I would want are: a Swiss army knife, a water filter, and a flint striker.