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Joseph Ault Circle Christian 2013 XC Blog #1
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Joseph Ault - Circle Christian Class of 2013 XC Blog #1
My name is Joseph Ault and I'm a senior at Circle Christian School. When you can’t find me on the trail I’m either surfing or chilling with my friends. I'm extremely stoked and blessed to have this opportunity to blog for Distance Preps throughout my last cross-country/track season. My summer was pretty great this year. I ran everyday with the exception of taking a day off every other week to recover. I really wanted to put in as many miles as I could before the season started. I was consistently hitting 55+ miles a week. When I wasn't running, I was surfing with my team, working part time, or just chilling with my friends and family. I went to Warrior Running Camp this year, which was probably the best week of my whole summer. It was an extremely intense week of running and I got to train with some very talented runners. During the speaker sessions, I learned a lot about extra things I could do to improve my season. At camp, I ran a 5k placing 11th with a 17:28. I’m pretty happy to have hit that considering how hard the training was during the week! This summer I also met up with a lot of my good friends, as much as I could, to try and get in a hard workout. During the middle of summer I met up with Troy Clark at Wekiwa Springs Trail. (If you haven't been there before you should go. It's great if you want to go for a long run while having different types of terrain.) Right around mile seven we met up with a gigantic 300lb black bear. We were a good 30ft away from it so if we needed to run we would have a head start. The only thing I was thinking in that moment was, "I'm not going to be racing the bear, I'm going to be racing Troy after already running 7 miles and the loser doesn’t get a very good prize." Luckily for me the bear walked off.
I have been blessed with the opportunity to run at both XC and Track State every year since I became a sophomore. This year for XC, I would like to finish among the top 10 individually and as a team make it in the top 5, like we have done previous years. During my sophomore year of track I was part of our 4x800 relay team that won state with a 7:58 but also brought home our school's first ever state title! Later that meet I ran in the 800m and placed 6th with a 1:59. I then took 6th place again in the 800m my junior year. After states I always run the Holy Trinity All-Star Showdown and this year, two weeks after state, I pr'd by 2 sec. running a 1:57. I wish I could have pulled that out at States. I'm looking to place a lot higher at states this year and try to go sub 1:55 in the 800m. I would also like to get my 1600m times to be sub 4:20 this year. As much as I would like to take credit for all of my accomplishments, I can't. Without the support of my great coaches, Dr. Tim Chapman and Coach Darcy, I wouldn't be half the athlete or man that I am today. They not only have trained me, but they taught me how to take care of the details, like taking iron supplements to fight anemia, making sure I'm getting enough calories, and staying hydrated. I have learned how to be a better athlete and man of Christ because of them. For this I am truly grateful. When I go to practice I get to spend two hours almost every day with a true family. I have a team that supports me, encourages me, and pushes me to be my best. The fellowship I have among them is my favorite part of running XC and Track for Circle Christian School. I’m confident that with my coaches training and a strong mindset I will be able to throw down some fast times this season! Good luck everyone!
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