Maine Milesplit Q&A Sam Seekins
Your season has gotten off to a great start, 8th place at the Laliberte meet, a couple of 2nd place finishes at Maranacook & Belfast behind two of the states best runners (Wade Davis & Jason Kaake) and win at your last meet by one second over Robbie Leeman of Lewiston. Tell me a little bit about your race at Messalonskee last week, how did it play out? Did you take a wrong turn?
I knew that Messalonskee was a really fast course. The steepest hill isn't very long so I was expecting the race to be pretty quick. The first mile started on the track, went downhill and across some flat fields. Robbie, Matt Driscoll and I crossed at about 5:03 for the first mile. After that, the splits went back to normal because there were actually some hills from then on. At mile two I entered the woods coming off the athletic fields just ahead of Robbie. Soon after deciding to take a left, I heard yelling behind me. When I turned I saw Robbie running in the other direction...... I had started to go the wrong way. I turned around and chased him back through the woods. If it weren't for him yelling to me that I went the wrong way, who knows where I would have gone. The race quickly evened back out and I went ahead with about 800 to go but Robbie was still right on me. Just before going up the final hill I ran to the right around a small tree and then realized I was supposed to run to the left of it. I ran back down to the marker and then back up the hill again. At this point Robbie had made up the ground between us and we went into the final 200 sprinting side by side. We flew over the last 200 and I gained a small lead with about 50 to go to cross in 16:35 and then Robbie in 16:36.
The KVAC is filled with some of the states top distance runners. With all the talent around you, does it motivate you to train harder? Who is your biggest rival? What are your individual goals for the season?
The tough competition definitely makes a difference. Competition really drives me and I came into this season looking to take it up to the next level. In terms of rivals there are many. I love to race with the guys in all the classes but in Class B it's gotta be Ryan Widzgowski and Ryan James. My main goals this season are to break 17 at Belfast during regionals (and hopefully win regionals!) and place in the top 5 at States.
What races are you looking forward to running the rest of the year? What is your favorite course to race on?
I'm looking forward to the meet that we are running at Erskine on October 3rd. Last year I didn't run a very good race at the home meet and I want to make sure the course record is set by someone from Erskine. Our course, however, is not my favorite course. That would probably be Belfast. It's fast and there are plenty of places for spectators to see you.
Being a top distance runner isn't easy, you have to put in the miles and do all the work, you can't fake it. What's a regular training week look like for you? What is your favorite workout to run? How about what's the one workout you never look forward to doing?
The beginning of the week usually starts off with a run of around 5 to 6 miles. Tuesday is almost always a track workout and Wednesday is a time-trial 3-5 mile race. Thursday is very easy and I usually do a three mile run with wind sprints built in. Friday is the race, Saturday is an easy 5-6 mile and Sunday is 10+ day. I ice after every practice and do strength training 3 days a week (Mon,Wed , Sat). My favorite workout is definitely the hard 3-5 mile run. I love testing myself in practice and trying to get a better time on a route I know well. The worst workout..... repeat miles and 800's.
How did you first get into the sport of XC/Track? Did you play other sports growing up? Who have been some of your biggest role models in the sport?
XC and track kind of came out of nowhere for me. My dad and sisters had always run but I never really saw myself doing it. Growing up I played baseball, basketball and soccer and I loved them all. The only running I did was a local Fun Run for the kids at our school. I did pretty well but didn't realize how much I liked it. I didn't even try track until 7th grade and even then I played the other three sports much more seriously. I am a huge fan of Ryan Hall right now. He is the best American runner in a long time. Of course my dad is a huge role model for me. He ran a bunch of marathons back in the day and every time I think about that I just want to run even more.
Do you have any pre-race rituals or superstitions?
I don't have any superstitions but I definitely have some pre-race rituals. The two nights before I always eat as much as I can. Usually, it's some type of pasta but whatever it is I eat a lot of it. I always do a ton of stretching and icing after my easy 3 mile and right before bed on the night before I take a hot bath to relax. It makes your legs feel so good.....
Final Question Belfast, Leavitt or Twin Brook, which do you prefer for a state meet?
Leavitt is a great course and I have never run on Twin Brook. I am going to have to go with the one with the best times: Belfast.