Name: Nathan Greenfield
School: Mill Valley High School
Q: What does your training look like right now given the current situation?
A: With the current situation, I am trying my best to stay in the routine. Adjustments have had to be made such as moving off the track and onto the trails and not being able to have practice, but overall not too much has changed. Getting out the door every morning has been great for my mental health!
Q: What are you doing to stay busy other than run right now?
A: Other than running, I have been staying busy by playing video games with friends and working on school work.
Q: What was your most memorable race/moment?
A: My most memorable race was the Chile Pepper Festival this cross country season. Getting to see some of the top collegiate teams as well as experiencing the chaos of the start of a race with 750+ people in it is unforgettable. Looking through the final results and discovering we finished top 5 against some of the best teams in the midwest was an awesome experience.
Q: What was the funniest thing that happened during your running career?
A: Its hard to pick out a single moment, but I would have to say that the funniest moments were some of the conversations we had out on our long runs. There was never a dull moment with these guys.
Q: Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
A: On the cross country course, I would say our biggest competitors were the guys over at Aquinas. They were always really tough to beat. We had a lot of great battles between us and it was always fun to toe the line against them. Off the course though, my biggest competition was always my teammates. We pushed each other in training and were able to make each other better because of it.
Q: What was your greatest accomplishment?
A: My greatest accomplishment is just getting to be a part of the varsity team at Mill Valley. My first race of my freshman year, I barely broke 21 minutes for the 5k. Fast forward to my junior year where my PRs were 16:38 for the 5k and 10:02 for the 3200. Being able to finish on the podium at state cross my senior year was icing on the cake. I owe all of this success to Coach McAfee and the assistant coaches at MV, I truly would not be where I am today without them.
Q: If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
A: If I could do it all over again, I don't think I would change a thing. Sure I've had ups and downs just like everybody else, but the low points are what make the high points worth the blood, sweat, and tears.
Q: What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
A: I have been fortunate to remain relatively injury free most of my career. The most difficult obstacle I had was a knee injury during my senior cross country season. I was able to work with an amazing physical therapist and now I am stronger than I have ever been before.
Q: What will you miss the most?
A: The thing that I will miss most is being able to run for something bigger than just myself. Even as I continue my running career, I will miss the team aspect of high school sports.
Q: What advice would you give to younger athletes?
A: My advice to younger athletes is to stay consistent in your training but also to stop and enjoy the moment. Four years goes by fast and it is up to you to make the most of it!
Q: What kind of an impact has your coach had on you and your team?
A: There really is no way to put into words the impact Coach McAfee has had on my life. It may be cliche, but Coach McAfee has always been way more than just a coach to me. He is someone who truly cares about everyone on the team, no matter how good they are. He is someone who I can go to with anything going on in life and he knows exactly what to say and what to do. He is someone who is always looking for ways to improve his coaching and build connections within the community. For that, I am forever grateful.
Q: What are your college plans?
A: I will be studying Civil Engineering at KU next year and plan to make my return to Rim Rock Farm in the fall as a member of the KU Running Club.
Q: Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
A: I would like to say thank you to my parents, my coaches, and also my teammates. All of these people have been by my side every step of the way. I truly would not be the same without all of these people in my life.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
A: These last four years have been unforgettable. Thanks to everyone who made that possible.
Q: Favorite Meal?
A: No doubt about this one - pizza.
Q: If you could be any animal what would you choose? and why?
A: If I could be any animal, I would choose to be a Jaguar. Why? Because it is my high school mascot and more importantly, Jaguars are fast.
Q: Your favorite superhero?
A: My favorite superhero is Steve Prefontaine. Pre had the greatest superpower of all: Guts.