Abby Gray U.S. No. 1 16:41 For 3 Mile, Shooting For All-American

Abby Gray from Alamo Heights is ranked US#1 for 3 Miles after running 16:41 at the San Antonio Southwest meet this past weekend. She was the 5A State Champion in both the 1600m (4:57) and 3200m (10:44) last spring. In cross country last year she finished 12th at the state meet and went on to run at both NXN and Foot Locker Nationals. She is currently ranked 22nd in the National Saucony Flo 50 Rankings. The senior shared with us some of what she's been doing in her training and her goals for the season ahead.

Texas MileSplit: How has training been up to this point? Have you done anything differently this year than in years past?

Abby: Training up to this point has been filled with logging in high mileage this summer, strength training and lastly watching my nutrition and getting more sleep. Things I've done differently this summer than the last was training in high altitude and more cross training.

Texas MileSplit: How did you feel after this weekends race running a U.S. #1 time of 16:41.80 in the 3 Mile?

Abby: Last weekends race was fun because my coach told me to just go out and run off of how I was feeling so I honestly had no clue what my splits were until after the race, but when I saw my time I was pretty excited!

Texas MileSplit: What are some of the big meets you will be running/focusing on this year? Do you plan on running NXN and Foot Locker again? If so what are some of your goals for these meets/this season?

Abby: Big meets I'm focusing on this year are Districts, Regionals and State. I do plan on trying to make it back to both NXN and Footlocker and if I do, I would love to make all american in both. My season goals are to break 17:00 in the 5k and make it back to state and post season races.

Texas MileSplit: You were a top finisher in the 5A state meet last year in cross country and state

champion in the 1600m and 3200m in track, do you feel any added pressure this year?

Abby: I don't feel any added pressure this year, I'm just excited to run my senior year and try to make it my best year yet, build up my team, and most of all have fun and trust my training.

Texas MileSplit: What will your training look like from here on out to get you to the point you want to be at the end of the season?

Abby: This year I'm keeping my mileage high for longer into the beginning of the season, then I'll begin to taper so I can make sure I peak at the right time.

Full results here!

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