Interview with A.C. Flora Alumna Kenzie Lang
| Bibliography High School: A.C. Flora College: South Carolina Major: Mathematics Minor: Education Sorority: Chi Omega |
SCRunners.com: How did it feel to and were you expecting to win the 1999 state cross country championships?
Lang: During the 1999 Cross Country season I was a sophomore and I knew that I had a good chance of winning. SCRunners.com: Who were the big runners during your career at A.C. Flora?
Lang: Pierre Patterson was a good runner on the guy's team.
SCRunners.com: Was the 1999 state meet a close race?
Lang: Yeah, it was a close race. Nichole Carlton of Lugoff-Elgin (2nd, 1999 and 1st 2000 CC) was a top runner that I ran against.
SCRunners.com: You ran 18:53 at the 1999 state meet, was that the first time you ran under 19 minutes for a 5k?
Lang: Yeah that was my best time.
SCRunners.com: Was 1999 your first year running in the state cross country meet?
Lang: I ran in the state cc meet from 8th to 12th grade.
SCRunners.com: What made you start running for Flora?
Lang: When I got into middle school I heard about Flora's cross country team and thought I would give it a try. I started running for Flora in 7th grade knowing that I wanted to run.
SCRunners.com: How many years have you been running?
Lang: I have been running competively for six years and I continue to run today.
SCRunners.com: When was your first race?
Lang: My first race was the Carolina Kids Marathon in the second grade. I ran my first race for Flora in seventh grade.
SCRunners.com: When did you graduate from AC Flora?
Lang: I graduated in May, 2002.
SCRunners.com: How many years did you run cross country and track at A.C. Flora?
Lang: I ran cross country and track for six years.
| Personal Records 800: 2:20 1600: 5:21 3200: 11:49 5000: 18:53 10000: 46:22 |
Lang: I enjoyed the mile, two mile, and the 4x800. SCRunners.com: Who is your favorite athlete?
Lang: Florence Joyner.
SCRunners.com: What are you studying at South Carolina and what year are you?
Lang: My major is Math and my minor is Education. I am a freshman at South Carolina.
SCRunners.com: What is your training like now?
Lang: I try to run everyday and each day I normally try to run different distances and speeds.
SCRunners.com: What was the most memorable event or events from your high school running career?
Lang: When I won my first state championship in ninth grade.
SCRunners.com: What shoes do you prefer to train in?
Lang: I prefer to run in Adidas trainers and I also race in Adidas.
SCRunners.com: If you can do one thing in the world what would it be?
Lang: I would like to run a race in Australia.
SCRunners.com: Would you like to acknowledge anyone that has made an impact in your life?
Lang: I would like to acknowledge my coach.
SCRunners.com: You mentioned how your coach was very helpful to you. What did coach Childs do to make your high school experience a time to remember?
Lang: Coach Childs helped me in ever way possible. She was really the one that helped me get through all the tough times in my career. She was always there for me and still is. She was the best coach and we have continued to be best friends.
SCRunners.com: What kind of surface do you like to run on?
Lang: My favorite surface to train on is grass.
SCRunners.com: What season do you enjoy to run in the most?
Lang: For me, fall is my most enjoyable season to run in.
SCRunners.com: Do you like to run in rain, snow, or another type of weather?
Lang: I like to run in rain.
SCRunners.com: What would you like to do when you get out of school?
Lang: I would love to teach high school math and then move up to a assistant principal or a principal.
SCRunners.com: On to track season for a while, did you enjoy that season more and what happened to you during your track seasons? Did you run to have fun or were you always being competitive?
Lang: I am a very competitive person so every race I have ever run it's for competition. I had a lovely team and coach who made it a lot of fun also.
SCRunners.com: During your sophomore year at Flora there were the strong girls in the state, Megan Curran and Anne Tominack at Riverside, did you run against them and how did you fare?
Lang: I remember the names and I did run against them.
SCRunners.com: A lot of talk goes on in South Carolina about running in college. Do you think you would have wanted to run for a college or have you felt better training with a little more freedom?
Lang: I am used to running with pain, but college is a different level. I really wanted to run in college, but I knew with my leg condition and all my problems the coach would just make me bike and swim, which I hate more than anything. It was difficult to make that decision, but my coach helped me make the right choice and now I'm glad that I did.
SCRunners.com: The 1600 meter race that you won during the 1999 State track meet you ran 5:29.37 to beat Caroline Spears of Riverside who ran 5:30.92. Do you remember how that race unfolded?
Lang: I remember I had a really bad start, but then I caught up with the everyone, and just I stayed behind and then I made my move during the last 100 meters. I was shocked because I had no idea I was going to win but I saw my coach on the last lap and she yelled to me to go.
SCRunners.com: How was the Carolina 10k you ran in 2003? Were you going for a pr?
Lang: That was actually my first 10k road race so I didn't know what kind of time I was going to get. I didn't really know the course which isn't always good for me. I plan to run in as many road races as possible.
SCRunners.com: Would you have felt more comfortable if you had run the course prior to the race?
Lang: Yes, I would have felt a lot more comfortable.
SCRunners.com: What kind of warmup do you run for a 10k?
Lang: I just jogged a little and stretched a lot because it was really cold.
SCRunners.com: Do you feel that it is good to go to a running store to get your shoes because of the knowledge and experience that they may have?
Lang: Most of the time, because I have inserts in my shoes so I need to get shoes with little padding.
SCRunners.com: You are in a sorority correct? What's the name and does that help school go along more smoothly?
Lang: I'm in Chi Omega and yes, it does help with getting through school.
SCRunners.com: Was there a long induction process to get into Chi Omega and when did you join?
Lang: We actually have the induction late, so it was sometime in January, but I have been a pledge since the second week of school. I have met so many wonderful girls and we do many great things.
SCRunners.com: Back to the mile, Caroline Spears, Riverside graduate, is a consistent runner. Was there a lot of bumping in the race or agressiveness?
Lang: Yes, there was a lot of aggressiveness for many of the runners. A lot more than usual.
SCRunners.com: I know you had a rough start, but did staying in the back help? Why do you think that is?
Lang: I think staying in the back did help, because I kept up with their pace and while the others were fighting to get in the front I stayed the same speed and then had enough energy at the end to win.
SCRunners.com: Would you like to get back into running track meets or has road races become more exciting?
Lang: I would like to run in track meets, but not for USC. I don't know how I would do that, but I would love to.
SCRunners.com: What is your favorite track event?
Lang: The mile is my favorite track event.
SCRunners.com: Have you been back to Flora lately? How is the team doing now? Does it feel different to go back to your alma mater?
Lang: I have been back at Flora and the team is going great. It is weird going back and not having on my uniform.
SCRunners.com: Kate Niehaus, have you met her? She has been doing really well lately. Kate is taking off the track season to play soccer. Do you see more success in females at a younger age?
Lang: I have not met her, but I think female runners are a lot better in there younger years because they peak and they just aren't the same anymore.
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