Har-Ber High School senior Valerie Reina is one of the top runners in Arkansas. This year Reina is looking for her third state title and is hoping for a trip to Foot Locker Nationals. MileSplit's Todd Grasley talks with Reina to see how she is coming off injury, what she has done to train this summer, what artist pumps her up for a race, and much more in this Cross Cross Country Q&A
Last year during the spring you had some setbacks. What were they and how are you doing now?
I'm coming off an injury I had in the spring, but everything is coming back for me. I found out last year after the state track meet that I was anemic. I was also dealing with a strained calf muscle and shin splints. It was a frustrating and disappointing track season. I was actually training very well and ran faster while running 300 hurdles and 4x400m relay. Any distance event was hard because I had no kick and would just run out of gas. Over the summer I've tried to eat healthier and especially eat food high in iron as well as taking iron supplements. Taking time off and cross training has helped heal the calf and shin splints. Getting ferritin levels up is a slow process, but it is getting better. I would guess that I'm at about 80%
What has your summer training been like?
I started running again in mid June after some time off after track. At that time I was running less than 15 miles a week, but also swimming and doing other cardio work. I've worked up to running about 45 miles a week now. We've just been trying to get my mileage up at this point and haven't really started any workouts.
Your dad Reuben ran for the University of Arkansas and was an Olympian in the 5000 meters. Other members of your family run as well. Do you all train together?
My sister does run. She is in 8th grade so it is her first cross country season. She is one of the best girls in the area in junior high, but we don't run together because she is in junior high and doesn't run many miles. I run a lot with my dad Reuben. He is a good training partner. Over the summer my cousin from Texas was with us for about a month and coming off an injury I was able to run with her. I also have a group of guys that I'd run with on occasion, but otherwise I did a lot on my own. Now that school has started, I run mostly with the boys team. It's nice to have running partners again.
You've won the state championship your freshman and junior years. What would it mean to cap off your career with a third title?
I actually won my freshman year, got second my sophomore year, and won again last year as a junior, so finishing the year off on top is very important to me. We should have some good competition this year, but more importantly my real goal is to make it to Foot Locker Nationals and also run some fast times. I'm hoping to break 17:30 and get into the lower 17's.
Last year you finished 11th at Foot Locker South. What was that experience like for you?
The plan all last year was to run at Foot Locker South. We decided to skip Nike and focused on Foot Locker. It was my first year at the event and I loved it. I traveled with my dad and Gabe Gonzales (now at KU) and his coach Seneca Lassiter (also ex-Razorback). Again, everything just fell into place. I loved the course. I felt great and set a PR running 17:46. My dad won that event when he was in high school and he helped me a lot to prepare for it. It was a good feeling to run so well, but it was also hard knowing I missed Foot Locker Nationals by one place. It is my ultimate goal to finish top ten this year.
What is an ideal course layout for you?
Any! It's cross country you have to be ready to race on anything.
Do you have a song that pumps you up before a race?
"Blazin" by Nick Minaj. My sister and I love listening to that song to pump us up. We've listed to it almost every day this summer. I actually love to listen to Nicki's whole album while I'm running sometimes.
What is your favorite quote?
"If you're not first, you're last" - Ricky Bobby
Who are your rivals or toughest competition?
This cross country year is expected to be the toughest I've had. Maggie Montoya had a great track season and Emily Myers also ran well in the 3200m at the Meet of Champions. I'm expecting both to be running their best and we all want that state title. Having quality competition in the state of Arkansas doesn't always happen, but it is looking to be the toughest ever this year. I am looking to forward to competing and making the most of my senior year.
What meets are you looking forward to the most?
I'm looking forward to the Marcus Invitational in Denton, TX, OSU Jamboree, the Chile Pepper of course, and Footlocker Regionals at the end of the season.
Personal Bests
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1600 Meter Run5:04.30
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3200 Meter Run11:17.76
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5000 Meter Run17:46.00
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