Alex Maier is currently ranked #2 in the state of Texas and #23 in the Saucony National Rankings.
Q: How long have you been running for?
A:I've been running since 7th grade
Q: How does it feel going into your sophomore year being 2nd in the 5K (at the state level)?
A: it's pretty surreal, to be honest. Coming into the season, I was wanting to continue the momentum from last season where I thought I did a good job. Just kinda run my own races, but to be that high up is certainly kinda mind boggling.
Q: You have made big improvements this season compared to last season, What training did you do over the summer?
A: I started running a lot more mileage, and started running that mileage faster too. Those are kind of simple ways to improve yourself with your training, to run higher mileage and to run faster.
Q: What does a typical week of training look like for you?
A: During the season, it is anywhere from 60-70 miles with workouts on Mondays and Wednesdays. During the summer it is usually above 70 miles, in that 70-80 range so far for me.
Q: What made you start running cross country?
A: Actually in PE in Middle School, like during the miles, the time trial miles they would do, I would always finish towards the top of the class, like my PE class, and that kinda, I was like hey, maybe I should try this cross country thing, and I just kinda took it and ran with it from there.
Q: Who/What is your biggest motivation in your running?
A: I would have to say knowing that my teammates are there with me, knowing that they are getting up at the same time as me, that we are all working towards that same goal, that we're all in it together. That really fuels me and drives me to do what I do.
Q: What personal and Team goals do you have for this season?
A: Personally, I guess the next big step now is to break 15 since I hit a 15:09 at Southlake. That would definitely be a big goal, and then team wise, well I know our goal is to get to state and compete and hopefully win.
Q: What are your pre-race rituals?
A: The night before we all have ban meal, which is essentially where we all go to someone's house and have pasta, get a lot of team bonding in, then I like to go home and stretch, get to bed, definitely a good night sleep since we have to get up early for most of our meets that's very important. Then before the race lots of stretching, drink lots of water, eat healthy, like fruits usually strawberries and blueberries.
Q: What is your favorite course to run on and why?
A: I would have to say the McNeil Course probably because that is where state is, it's probably one of the more important courses to run on and its pretty fast too
Q: Who out of your team pushes you the hardest?
A: I mean we all push each other pretty hard, it's hard to name just one person. You've got Nick, Michael, Payton, Riley, all those guys on Varsity Squad really work together to achieve our goals.
Q:What advice do you have for someone just getting into cross country?
A: Just keep rolling with it. Do what you need to do to get better. Two things you need to do if you want to get better, you run faster and run higher mileage and really just be consistent with it. Show up every day and keep working at it.
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