Anna Elkin crossing the finish like at NXN South Photo By: Travis Miller
Anna Elkin finished 5th at NXN South to earn her a qualifying spot to NXN this weekend. She also finished 5th at the state meet a few weeks prior. This will be the seniors second trip in a row to NXN. Last year the she helped the Hebron girls to place 8th which was the highest place for an NXN South region team since the Southlake Carroll girls placed 2nd in 2012. We asked Elkin some questions about what it was like running last year, her plans for this race, and more in our Q&A below!
Texas MileSplit: Having gone to NXN last year what are you most excited for this year and why?
Anna Elkin: Going to NXN last year with my team was honestly a dream come true. Because I am going by myself this year, it is a little different by I am still just as excited. I am most excited to see all of the gear that we get. Walking onto the stage and seeing your locker with your name on top and all of your free stuff inside is so exciting. Thinking about the race is also really exciting. I am so thankful to get this opportunity and I could not be more excited to get to race against the best girls in the country.
Also, I am really excited for the meal after the race. They have ice cream and I haven't had ice cream in a really long time so I'm really looking forward to it.
Texas MileSplit: What was one of the coolest experiences you had last year at NXN?
Anna Elkin: In my opinion the coolest experience last year was the actual race and race day. Walking into the building where we all of the teams and individuals get ready for the race was a cool experience. Then, right before the race they call the individuals and teams out one by one and give them an introduction. Running through the crowd to the starting line when they were introducing my team last year was so cool. But when you actually get to get on the line and race, that is the coolest part. At that moment it kind of hits you that you are about to run a race with the best girls in the whole nation and all of the hard work that began in June is finally going to pay off. You are surrounded with people who are goal-oriented just like you and that is most definitely the coolest experience ever.
Texas MileSplit: What are some things you learned in last years race that will help you this year?
Anna Elkin: I think one of the biggest things I learned from my race last year was that you really have to find your own race inside of the whole race. In most races my plan is to just get out hard and get to the front, but that isn't ideal for me in this race. I think last year I got lost in the pack and didn't really know what place I was in, so this year I am just focused on getting out hard, getting into the position I want to be, and then finding my race inside the race.
Texas MileSplit: How has your training been over the past two weeks? Was it hard having Thanksgiving break in the middle? Why or Why not?
Anna Elkin: My training the past two weeks has been great! It has been kind of weird for me running on my own because I usually do every workout with my team, but I am really lucky that I have a coach that still wakes up every morning and meets me at the school so I can have practice. My training hasn't really changed all season because we always say that if what we are doing is working, then why stop it. So, even on the break I really just tried to stay consistent and get in some hard workouts. My workouts so far this week have been some of the best of the season so I am really excited for the race!
Texas MileSplit: Being that this is your last cross country race (or one of), looking back on the past four years what were some of the highlights?
Anna Elkin: Looking back on the past four years there are so many highlights that come to mind. I remember my first varsity race and the first race that I won, but what stands out the most is my junior year. That year we won state and being on the medal stand with my team is a moment that I will never forget. That year we also won Nike South, and we went to Nike Nationals. The team that year and the success that we had was incredible.
Texas MileSplit: What was one of the most stand out moments from this season, in particular?
Anna Elkin: From this season I would say that the moment that stood out the most for me was getting 5th at state. For the past two years my goal has been to be top 10 so to finally accomplish that goal was such an incredible feeling. Every day I write in my log book "have you thought about the state meet today" and every day we talk about our goals so to finally go there and run a race that I was proud of made me really happy. Also, qualifying for Nike this year was a big deal to me. Getting top 5 at Nike South was something that I used to dream of, but to finally do it was a big accomplishment. This season has been one that I will never forget, but state and Nike are the two moments that stand out the most.
Fun Questions:
Texas MileSplit: If you were an animal what kind of an animal would you be and why?
Anna Elkin: If I could be any animal I would be a dog because dogs are always happy.
Texas MileSplit: Favorite pre and post race food?
Anna Elkin:
Pre Race- chipotle white rice and black beans
Post Race- vanilla ice cream
Texas MileSplit: The Quan or the Nae Nae?
The Quan
Texas MileSplit: Favorite pro athlete (any sport), and why?
Jordan Hasay
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Anna Elkin - Hebron - 5th Girls Championships
(WATCH Anna's Race Here)
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