A new series to Kansas MileSplit starting this week is the Runner of the Week. For the first week, Blue Valley senior Colton Donahue was awarded the Kansas MileSplit Male Runner of the Week after his 10:06 2-mile performance at the Olathe East Inviational. Colton's 10:06 not only was good enough for over a minute win in the Senior Boys race, but also the fastest time of the day at the Olate East Inviational regardless of class. Donahue was 6th last year at the 5A State Championships leading his team to a 6th place team finish. He also finished 4th in the 800, 2nd in the mile, and 3rd in the 3200 last spring on the track.
To nominate a Runner of the Week send us an email at deverett@milesplit.com.
Kansas MileSplit: We heard that the temperatures were over 100 degrees for the race. How did this play a factor and how were the course conditions?
Colton Donahue: The heat was certainly a factor but frankly as hot as it has been all summer, this race did not have extraordinary conditions. We have been training in this kind of heat all summer long, so the main thing was to not let the heat be a distraction and focus on the race. My conditioning certainly paid off, as the heat was not a major factor.
KM: You put a minute and five seconds on second place. Talk us through your race and how it played out?
CD: The primary focus was on the pace. My objective was to be sub 10 minutes and I started out a little conservative. By the time we got to the one mile mark, which was at 5:06, i knew I needed to pick up the pace and was a little disappointed at my one mile pace. At that point, I picked up the pace and began to really stride out. By the time I hit the last 800 meters , I basically sprinted and was able to complete the last mile in 5:00 flat. I felt good about the race but could have pushed the pace in the first mile, a sub 10 minute 2 mile was definitely achievable.
KM: After placing 6th last year at state, you seem ready to go this year running the fastest time at the Olathe East Cross Country Classic. How was your summer of training?
CD: My primary focus over the summer was to establish a strong base for distance. This is only my second year running cross country and I felt that last year my distance base was not as strong as it could have been. So, I basically only took one week off over the summer and primarily focused on my endurance. I feel I am entering 2012 with significantly stronger level of endurance and believe this will help me materially improve my times over last year.
KM: What are your race plans for the rest of the year?
CD: My race plans are to continuously improve by focusing on my overall objective of winning the state meet. This means focusing on the long term objective versus the weekly races. My plans are to continuously improve my times but also stay focused on the real objective of completing the year in the #1 position.
KM: Any goals for senior cross country season?
CD: I have many goals for my senior season. The first is to help my team compete in every event, including regionals and state. The second is to set a new school record at Blue Valley High School. The third is to win a state championship for Blue Valley High School and myself. The last is to establish myself as a premier runner for the next level of competition in the college ranks.
KM: Best of luck on the rest of your year, Colton!
More Coverage
Colton Donahue's Athlete Profile
Olathe East Invitational Results