When did you start running? Talk about your transition to the high school team and your first impressions.
I started running the summer before Freshman year so I skipped over eighth grade year, luckily. I remember my first practice and this sounds really bad but how much I disliked it. I remember Chuck asking all these random questions about vitamins and iron while I’m trying to run up the Millington hill. Yet, I came back, don’t really know why but I did. Another thing I remember was showing up and saying my name was Caroline (and that was a saturday practice I think) and then becoming Jonesie literally the next practice. So if anyone wanted to know where Jonesie comes from, I have no idea.
What was your most regrettable or embarrassing XC moment or race?
At states last year, the race was at 1 pm so we got to sleep in which rarely happens. At breakfast the next morning my brain wasn’t thinking, I guess, and I ate a bowl of cereal. I think I thought that 5 hours would be enough time to digest the milk and I would be fine. Yet, in the middle of the state meet, I got a stomach cramp. So, don’t eat cereal before a state meet.
What is your proudest XC accomplishment (this does not have to be a performance)?
At regionals last year, it was Cat, Sienna, and I in the alternates race and I ended up getting 1st with Cat and Sienna getting 2nd and 3rd. I was proud of myself in that race because I tackled the giant hill and I ran faster than some of the people in the varsity race. Plus, I was gone on vacation a week before that so it really showed my strength.
What are you looking forward to this season?
Since the season was pushed back until February, it’s going to be cool to see all the races we can do outside of the cville area. Plus, now we have more time to train and do these other races that we wouldn’t be able to do otherwise.
What do you love about the team?
There’s really no other team at wahs that really does fun trips or activities outside of practices. The closeness of everyone is really nice because you can talk to anyone. Also, running workouts together really bonds us.
What has become one of your (non-running) pandemic obsessions (maybe obsession is too strong a word- what are you into that's not running)?
I do this year round, but sitting in my bed and watching hours and hours of Netflix and Disney Plus. My all time favorites are Gossip Girl, Jane the Virgin, and Wizards of Waverly Place.
If you were to give advice to girls just joining the team or some of the younger runners, what would that be?
The first practice is always the worst because usually you don’t know everyone or anyone and it’s your first time actually running with the team which can be really intimidating. Just stick with it and ride it out and eventually the pace faster and the mileage increases. Also, don’t run the cool downs fast. They’re supposed to be the slowest part of the run and if you don’t run it slow, it can really hurt your muscles.