Welcome back Royals’ sports fans to another installment of Royal Talk. In this edition we chat with sophomore cross-country runner Ashley Barstow . The past couple of weeks the Weirsdale, Fla. native and the Cross-Country team have been hard at work training for the upcoming Sun Conference Championships that take place this Saturday (Nov. 7) in Babson Park, Fla. at 7:30 a.m.
This week Barstow took a break from the rigorous regimen to answer a few questions for the Sports Information Department.
1)What is it about running that you like?
I’m into sports in general. My first love in sports was Inline Speed Skating and running is similar in competition. They are both an individual sport and that’s what I love about them. Running is a lot of work!!!!! Especially when you’re running Cross Country “just” to get in shape. During Cross Country season, at practice, and during competitions, I ask myself every time, “WHY AM I DOING THIS????” But it’s the thrill of reaching the potential you know you have that keeps you doing it.
2) How have you adapted to Coach Gonzalez and the program in general?
My Speed Skating coach was exactly like her. Coach Gonzalez is my favorite coach overall, and I wouldn’t trade her for another. Her program always makes sense if you’re willing to follow it and not chicken out on the hard days. She kills us, but we always thank her in the end because it brings the best out of us.
3)Looking back at your first year, what are some of the things you’ve learned (Sport related)?
Looking back at my first year, I would say Cross Country scared me, but I never backed down, of course. I struggled adapting to where I should’ve been because I wasn’t very confident last year (freshman year). But last year definitely got me into great shape, and being in the back a lot, I got to observe the competition more. It has made me realize that I’m just as good as they are.
4) Have there been any funny moments for you in practice?
There are always funny moments at practice. But I’d say three stand out the most for me. The first one would have to have been last year when we were all running our hour at the lake (which I hate the most!) and we were all talking and Courtney Davis completely just fell out of nowhere. It was SO hilarious. but so random. The second one would be when I met Missy (Melissa Darr) during track season and her adorable baby boy EZ. She kept saying how her son looks more like me (and he does haha) but ever since, it has been our joke every time we see each other. The third thing would be Cross Country practice when it had just rained so much and we were doing repetitions and Diren went to run around the corner and fell in the biggest puddle of water. I’m sorry, but that was great when he walked back looking like he had just jumped in the pool.
5)What’s been the ‘funniest’ off-the-course moment for you so far?
Hmm….when we were all getting onto the charter bus and there was some old song “This is How We Do It” playing on the bus and a bunch of us just started dancing to it. Then one time, coming back from a meet, or practice, I can’t remember which one it was last year, Tranese was free-styling to EVERY song (haha). She had us laughing.
6) What is your mindset going into a cross-country meet? Any mental preparations?
The first thing on my mind is “Whyyyyyyy????”. But then I start excluding myself from everyone and stay quiet preparing myself mentally. The second mile is my biggest problem. I run the first mile great, but the second mile gets to my head and I just slow down thinking I can’t make it. So every meet at the beginning of the season, I slowly improved. I tell myself to just keep pushing through the pain because it’s going to hurt whether I run slow or fast.
7) Explain the feeling of setting a personal record?
It feels so GREAT! It makes you more motivated to improve yourself more. I still have a lot to improve though. But I’m very sure Coach will get me there as long as I stay focused.
8) How are you preparing for the upcoming Sun Conference Championships? Any goals for yourself?
Well, I’ve been running really good this season, and I’m more confident in knowing what I can run. It’s going to be extremely hard, but “No pain, No gain” right? I plan on beating my Personal Record by a lot because I know that I ‘m capable of it. I believe I can make 21 minutes, but I would love to go for 20 minutes. That will be tough, but it’s Conference and you have to go all out. Now if I don’t make the times I want, my main goal is to kill that second mile without slowing down.
Conference is going to be exciting if we all run our best. I believe we all have good potential, we just need to use it. Conference here we come! Let’s Go Royals!!!!
9) If you could do it over again, what would you do differently as a freshman entering college and playing a sport?
I would enter college with a more focused attitude. I have a hard time being an “Over Achiever”, and during my freshman year, I kinda just did my school work with no effort and took the grade I got without being upset about it as if I was in High School. Now as for running, I wish I would’ve believed in myself more. But things happen for a reason and after sitting back and observing all the practices and competitions last year, I know what it takes and I’m not going to hold back this year. So I really don’t regret anything because it helped me to get where I’m at now.
10)What’s your most memorable moment so far?
My most memorable moment so far was at Florida Runners when I finally got the time I had been planning for (22 minutes). That showed me I really can do what I put my mind to. But hearing Coach yelling at the top of her lungs at me meant I was doing good, so I ran even harder just because of that. THANKS COACH!!!