15.Erik LoSacco
Scarborough HS, SR
Notable Finishes: 5th Hoka Southern Maine Classic 2019, 13th Festival of Champions 2019, 18th Class A States 2018 & 2019
Comments: LoSacco has been a consistent performer for the Red Storm throughout his career. Now a senior he will look to improve on his 18th place finish at the state championship meet the last two seasons. He has the fourth-fastest 5k returning time from 2019 with his personal best 16:10.31. He helped the Red Storm to the 2018 Class A team title and will look to do that again in 2020.
How has COVID-19 affected you?
COVID-19 has been difficult for me, especially in the early stages of strict quarantining. I missed my friends and my team.
What has your summer training consisted of? How much mileage are you putting in?
My summer training has been fairly similar to a normal summer schedule. Regular daily runs at a moderate pace, to build up a solid platform before the workouts of the season. I hit about 45 miles per week, 7 miles a day with a long run on Saturday. I recently did a mile time trial, to see what kind of shape I'm in leading up to team practices, and I beat my PR with a 4:39:9.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
I have a few goals for this season to make my senior year the best yet. I'm hoping to break 16 minutes, probably at Gorham. That course is fantastic, and it's the perfect place for a big PR. I also want to stay injury-free for the end of the season, so I can run in the New England Championships and complete my four-year streak.
What is your favorite workout that makes you feel most prepared for success?
The Hunnewell Hill workout is a grueling, ten-lap run/race around one of our local neighborhoods, and it's one of the first big tests of the XC season. If you can get through that, there's nothing you can't do.
What did you learn from the last xc season that will help you improve in 2020?
Last year really showed me that I can run up with the top of the pack. I got a lot of good experience racing with the best guys around, and I hope to continue my good momentum this year.
How is your team looking for the fall?
At this point, based on last year's times, Scarborough looks to be ranked second in the state. I'm excited to be in position for a championship, as we've overcome far bigger obstacles than a #2 rank in the past.
How do you stay motivated when you don't want to run?
Barely. Kidding, kidding. Usually, I think of all the work my team-mates and opponents are probably putting in as I'm sitting on my couch, and shame myself into getting out there and training.
What is the greatest piece of advice you've ever received in the sport?
Coach Ross, the most knowledgeable person I know in the sport, told me to stick with Zach Barry and pace off of him. It turned out to be a winning strategy, and one I still use to this day. Thanks, Coach.
What are the top three "little things" that you do to prevent injury?
Avoiding injury is, in my opinion, one of the most important things for a successful season, more important than fitting every workout you can into your schedule. Firstly, whenever I feel even slightly sore, I throw an ice pack on. Even if it's probably nothing, it's always a good idea to ice up. Also, it's a good idea to run workouts in trainers rather than spikes whenever possible. Racing spikes aren't designed to be worn for longer periods of time than a race once a week, and wearing them too often in workouts can lead to shin splints. Finally, before every race, I make sure to roll and stretch my ankles. It's a quick, 10-second stretch to loosen your ankles to lessen the chance of injury when you roll or twist them on a course, yet nobody seems to do this. With some of last year's courses (Falmouth, for instance) I feel that it made a difference.
What is the one thing you have done during COVID-19 that you have never had time for in the past?
During the quarantining due to COVID-19, I've had more time to get outdoors. I had more time for hiking and going to the beach than ever.
What's the farthest you've ever run at one time?
It was during Scarborough's Cross Country camp, actually. Our plan was to run a lap around the lake, 6 miles, but we took a wrong turn and got lost in a town we didn't even know the name of, trying to get to a campsite we didn't know the name of. After talking to a police officer at a car accident scene, who pointed us about 8 miles in the wrong direction, we got attacked by a pitbull. It was 90 degrees out, and constant hills. After a while of this, we ended up knocking on the door of a random house to get water before being found by a coach driving around looking for us. 13 miles. Quite a day.
If every day were a holiday, what would yours be?
My favorite holiday is definitely Christmas. I mean, it's got its own music genre, you make cookies, and there's snow!
Favorite subject in school?
Chemistry has been my favorite subject in high school so far. Working in a lab mixing stuff together to see what happens is more interesting than writing essays.
If you could go on a run with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
If I could run with anyone, dead or alive, I'd run with my dad. So I do. He's the one who introduced me to running and started me on this chapter of life, and I enjoy every run with him.
If your teammates gave you a superlative, what would it be?
Mine would likely be 'calm'. At the starting line of every race, when everyone else is shouting, jumping, and getting hyped up, I stay focused and quiet. I don't know how you can mentally prepare for a race like they do, but if it works it works.
