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Katy's Christie Terhune is a top returner in both the 800m and the 300H. We caught up with Terhune during the winter break. Here are our questions and Terhune's answers from a quick Q and A.
TX MileSplit: How was XC season for you and your teammates?
Christie: Our team did an amazing job this year. We had both the boys team and the girls team qualify and compete at the State meet. It was the boys team's first time to ever make it out of district and to go from that to getting fifth at State was incredible to watch. Both teams have worked so hard and their success was most definitely well deserved! I moved up this year and played around with the 5K for a bit. The 5K is vicious and you can't just flat out sprint (the fun part) because at the end your legs have turned to jelly if you've ran the rest correctly. I had a lot of fun but I'm looking forward to track!
TX MileSplit: Last year was a crazy fast year in the 110H and the 300H for Houston area hurdlers. How do you think competing last year has prepared you for your senior season?
Christie: The biggest thing I've gained from running in such a competitive region is the knowledge of how to run your race no matter what everyone else is doing and keeping the mental strength required to progress. It's actually something I'm still working on. You have to be mentally tough when you get to the first hurdle and realize you've been beaten to it or else you'll get beaten in the race. I've learned the value of finding that 0.01 sec. I've beaten a girl by 0.02 before, and I've gotten second in a 4x4 before by 0.01. It has also taught me to shift the focus less on winning and more on dropping time, because my sophomore year I was barely hanging on to the low 43 girls, which was disheartening. But, I focused on getting faster and set baby time goals. I figure, if you keep dropping time the winning will take care of itself.
TX MileSplit: You have the 2nd fastest returning time in the 300H (42.20) in the state and you are a returning State qualifier in the 800 (2:11.41 PR), is it too early to say you'll focus on one race or attempt to qualify in both?
Christie: Actually, the plan last year was to drop the 800 at regionals. Coach Darcey knows how much I love the hurdles but he also knew my number one goal, which was to go to state, I didn't care at that point. He knew I had a very good shot in the 800 but we both wanted to go in the hurdles. Obviously, we decided to keep all 5 races that weekend, but he was still debating it even as I lined up for the 800! As to which I'll focus on I won't have an answer for that until probably regionals. I should continue to do both the rest of the season though. Coach and I will weigh the options but another 5 race weekend doesn't scare me.
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TX MileSplit: With your improvement in the 300H and your success in the 800, which event do you identify with more and which are you being recruited for?
Christie: I like to think of myself as a versatile hurdler. I'm not going to lie, I had a sort of identity crisis when I went to state for the 800m and not the hurdles! It was weird for me to have people know me as the "800 girl", because I've always been the "hurdler". I've gotten used to it now but that first month was weird. I'm currently being recruited for the 400H, but I'll run the 800 and possibly the 400 in relays and such for indoor. I'm really looking forward to the 400H, I wish we had it in high school.
TX MileSplit: What are your goals for this season?
Christie: I have my goal every year and that is to obviously run faster, but that's everyone's goal. I'm hoping to get my 41 in the 300H, I feel like I was really close last year. State is of course the goal for school track and summer holds some exciting national meets that sound like a great experience. However, since it is my last year as a Katy Tiger, my goal is to give them everything I've got. I don't want to leave high school wishing I'd done something different or better. I love being a part of Katy Nation and I hope to represent them the best I can.
TX MileSplit: So, you're originally from Arkansas and went to school in Oklahoma for a stint. Compare/contrast track and field between those states and Texas.
Christie: I only competed in track in Oklahoma. I started out my middle school and freshman year in Oklahoma and it was pretty awesome. I ran for Jenks High School and loved it. I was able to go to state my freshman year in 4 events (100H, 4x200, 300H, and 4x400), medaling in 3 of those. It was great to be able to be introduced to track without so much pressure. I got to learn to hurdle without getting my butt whooped which I honestly really appreciate. It was definitely easier to make it to state there but pretty hard to win it. I thought I was pretty hot stuff, but in reality I was running what would be average times in Texas. And as we all know, everything is bigger in Texas. The meets, the level of competition, and the athletes are fierce and fast. It's definitely been educational and a great opportunity to be able to race in both states. I was scared to move at first, but I think it's been good for me!
TX MileSplit: You have two great supporters in Mom and Dad. We see them at just about every Katy XC or track meet. What did you get them for Christmas?
Christie: They're pretty great. They come to every meet they can make it off work for and I really appreciate it. My dad took a 26 hour round trip road trip with our 4x4 to take us to a summer club meet in New Mexico and my mom is forgiving when I have a 5am freak out because I can't find my socks before a meet and she rarely misses a meet. I can't tell you what I got them....it's a secret!
TX MileSplit: What is on your playlist during track meets?
Christie: Oh goodness, it varies. My cross country song this year was "Break my Stride" by Matthew Wilder and I sang it so much that everyone on my team kind of got sick of it! It's so catchy, it's ridiculous. Track season depends on a lot of things. I listen to really calm music like Bon Iver if it's a really stressful meet because I'm already hyped up so much I need to calm down so I don't do anything stupid. If it's a regular meet, we usually have someone playing upbeat sometimes throwback music on the bus that we can all just have fun with.
TX MileSplit: Any pre-meet/race rituals, if so, what are they?
Christie: In cross country and relays we all huddle up and put our right foot in the middle while we pray and share last minute encouragements. I really love that time with my team right before a race. When I'm running an individual race, it's a little different, but I don't really have any rituals. I've got my socks which you'll be happy to hear are now anklets. They sadly did not survive cross country this year, but I made it work. They're just super small socks now.
