Name: Hannah Anderson

Sport: Cross country

Grade: 12

How long have you been running for the Ranger cross country team?

“I’ve been running with the team since freshman year.”

What is your biggest inspiration throughout your athletic career?

“My dad has been my biggest inspiration because he is a marathon runner and has always encouraged me to pick up the lifestyle.”

How/why did you first start cross country?

“I first started cross country as a way to get in shape for lacrosse in the spring. My mom emailed the girls’ team captain’s mom and asked that she add me to the Facebook group, without me knowing.”

What is your best time that you have achieved while running in a race? What was a reason you did particularly well in that race?

“My PR was 22:59 at Portage. It snowed right before the race, and the cold definitely a motivator to run faster.”

What is the hardest part about running cross country? Why?

“The hardest part about running cross country is maintaining a strong mental attitude. There’s a lot of tough training and a lot of time inside your own head, some days motivation comes a little harder.”

What do most people not know about running cross country, that is an important role in running?

“To many people, running seems like one of the most individual sports out there, but it really is a team focus. Your teammates are really there so you can push each other to new limits and keep each other focused on the goal, it’s a really essential part of the sport.”

Do you participate in any other sports at FHC? If so which is your favorite?

“Yes, I also play lacrosse in the spring, and I would say that is my favorite sport.”

Are you interested in running in college and if so where?

“I am not interested in running in college unless it would be in a running club.”

Where are you planning on going to college and why are you interested in those colleges?

“I’m applying to Northwestern as my reach school because I visited the campus and loved it and the sense of community there. I also want to major in English, and Northwestern has a great journalism program.”

What is your favorite quote about running? Why?

“When you walk, one foot is always on the ground. When you run, most of the time you are actually airborne. For example: a 6-foot-tall runner with feet about 1 foot long was found to take 1,250 steps while running 8-minute miles. Thus, while covering 1 milea��5,280 feeta��he was in touch with the ground for 1,250 feet and airborne for 4,030 feet.

Put another way, he was in the air for 76% of the time. So don’t think of it as a 10-mile run. Think of it as 7 miles of flying.” – Paul E. Richardson

“This quote is my favorite to think of during particularly arduous runs because it helps to feel a little lighter on your feet and move a little faster.”