McKinney North sophomore, London Culbreath is Texas' #1 returner and is currently #6 in the Flo 50 rankings. This weekend, Culbreath gets ready to compete in just her third competition of the season and perhaps the most important of the season thus far, and maybe - just maybe one of her favorite cross country meets.
Culbreath was nice enough to take the time to participate in a Q&A with TX MileSplit. Check it out!
TXMS - How different was the preparation for this season compared to your freshman season?
LC - We are preparing to run a longer season this year so we started training a little later (postponed) in order to peak around nationals in December. That's why I was gone for some of the earlier meets, because I am gradually getting into training.
TXMS - After a long season last year that lasted form summer track through Brooks PR, what did your life consist of?
LC - Right after Nationals at Brooks, I went straight to Chicago for a national soccer tournament to play my last few games with the team, after that I decided to quit soccer to focus on running and took a long break, which was relaxing! Then I went to my church's summer camp with a few of my friends which was an absolute blast, and then I finished the year with a cross country bonding trip to Taos, New Mexico. That was one of the best ways to connect with my teammates and share some memories!
TXMS - How excited were you to finally get started for your second XC season?
LC - Watching and supporting my teammates run while I was still training got me really anxious to start my season... I couldn't help watching from the sidelines and constantly counted down the days until I could run! I was really excited and anxious to see what all I could accomplish as a sophomore.
Photo by Troy Taormino - USA Today Sports
TXMS - Going into the season as a freshman last year, you were kind of unknown to many people, but after the success throughout cross and ending with the track season, how different does is it feel returning with everyone knowing who you are?
LC - I feel so blessed knowing the gift God has given me. I am excited to return the season with His guidance and accomplish big things.
TXMS - What is the motivation for you this season or the goals you have?
LC - The motivation for me this season would definitely be directed towards nationals. I would love to place higher than last year or even win. I know there are a lot of competitive girls at nationals and I'd love to get the opportunity to race against them to push me and see what I can do.
TXMS - We are pretty much in mid season and you've only competed in two meets thus far. What is the plan for the season or the reason for competing minimally early on?
LC - As I mentioned earlier, we started the season later in an effort to peak later on in the season, closer to nationals in December. Also with Brooks PR at the beginning of summer and a long break that followed, I was initially behind on training and needed to gradually be introduced again.
TXMS - Last year, you came in as the fabulous new kid on the block and took down some of the top upperclass runners in the state. Is there any part of you that thinks about that when you train to make sure to not allow that to happen to you?
LC - I loved being the underdog last year, nothing to prove, but everything to gain. But this year I feel that I have a target on my back or potential targets in the future. I train hard and run hard every Meet preparing for the tough competition that will be at nationals and from younger classes, so yes I am always thinking about that to motivate me. It's easy to be an underdog but hard to stay on top.
TXMS - What kind of experience was the track season for you when you joined one of the most talented group of girls in the nation on the McKinney North track team?
LC - The experience was so amazing and I felt truly blessed to be a part of the team. The girls work so hard and push me and there's never a dull moment with them. We are like a family and I never wanted the season to end with them because I knew how far we could go together.
TXMS - Throughout the year, you enjoyed all kinds of success and recognition for your running. During the track season, your team rolled through the season racking up all kinds of individual personal bests/records team bests/records and it all culminated with another state title for the team. How different was it for you and the girls to see Coach Richards get an award to recognize her efforts and the coaching staff's efforts to assist you and your teammates reach the accomplishments you were able to?
LC - It was nice to see others acknowledge the dedication, commitment and hard work that coach Richards had put in towards our success. We as a team already knew how special she was but it was great to know others knew too. It's rare to have a coach to be tough when she needs to be but care for you and be your best friend when you need her to be, and I'm so truly thankful to have her as my coach.
TXMS - In the two races you have run this season, you went for a U.S. #7 17:09.80 and followed that up with a 17:58.70. What do you think you can possibly produce this weekend at McNeil?
LC - I know McNeil is a fast course and this is where I got my PR last year and broke the state record so I think anything is possible. I hope I can run another PR (below 16:48) and see what I have in store for the course this year.
TXMS - How did you get into running?
LC - I started running at the age of 10 when I was at a soccer conditioning camp and ran 2 miles, beating nearly all of the coaches and older players. My dad had signed me up after that and I absolutely HATED it. I would start crying when my parents told me they signed me up for track every summer. But as I began to understand my God-given gift in running I began to grow closer to the sport every year. And once I got to middle school/high school and was able to create a family of runners, I've understood it's where I belong.
Photo by Travis Miller-Bonus Questions-
TXMS - Which do you like the most, cross country or track and field?
LC - I can't really choose, there are pros and cons to both, like in cc you get to see different scenery and more challenging courses but it's hard to compare times/ranks. Track on the other hand is the same lap every time but it's flat and easy to compare times!
TXMS - What if your favorite individual event and favorite relay on the track?
LC - My favorite individual event is probably either the mile or 2 mile. I'm better at the 2 mile but I think the distance of a mile is perfect. My favorite track relay is the 4 by 4 because I used to run that and have a middle school state record in that event!
Photo by Jessie McCabeTXMS - What was your favorite cross and track meet?
LC - I like the McNeil and Nike meet the best because McNeil is a fast course and Nike has great competition. My favorite track meet was probably Texas relays and Brooks because at Texas relays I got to be a part of a relay and it was a huge meet and Brooks was an awesome experience!
TXMS - What is the craziest, weirdest, or funniest thing you've heard from a guy runner about how fast you are?
LC - "That took long enough...I hope your faster in track than you are at answering snap chats"
"You're so perfect and a great runner. This is a weird question but are your feet ticklish? It's for a bet"
TXMS - Do you have any pre race rituals, race day rituals, or superstitions?
LC - I always eat pasta at team dinners before the race. On race days, I ALWAYS have to wear my white headband, it's my superstition and it's so old, the company doesn't sell it anymore and I had to pin the back to keep it from falling off !
TXMS - What is your favorite type of food?
LC - Steak, baked potatoes, and Pasta
TXMS - What is the hardest workout you've ever had?
LC - I can't recall the hardest but I guess if I had to choose it might of been 7x1000 or a mile ladder.
