Campbell Heitz is one of the 2021 recipients of the LVRR Scholarship.
LVRR: What college will you attend and intended major of study? Do you plan to run while attending college?
CH: I will be attending West Chester University in the fall to study elementary education. I will be running on the cross country and track and field teams during my time as a Golden Ram.
LVRR: What age did you start running and why?
CH: I started running 6th grade when my older sister joined the high school team. I joined local races until going out for the cross country and track team in seventh grade, because I loved the family atmosphere of Easton cross country that Coach Bobbi had created and I wanted to join that family.
LVRR: What is your greatest accomplishment in your running career?
CH: My greatest accomplishment in my running career was when the girl’s cross-country team won district and went to states in 2018. We had such a young team that year and surprised many teams in the district with that accomplishment. Throughout the season we were considered the “underdogs” after losing so many strong runners from the year before, but we did not let that stop us and it made us more
LVRR: Who has been your most influential role model and why?
CH: My most influential role model has been my older sister, Mackenzie. She ran Easton XC and graduated in 2018. The person who introduced me to the sport is the same person whose determination has inspired me. She broke both of her feet during her first college XC season, and with determination and hard work, is back to competing, 3 years later. My sister showed me that there is nothing I can’t do with determination and hard work. I will always look up to my sister for showing me what it takes to be unstoppable.
LVRR: What would most people be surprised to learn about you?
CH: Most people would be surprised to know that my favorite courses to run are those that are super hilly, and that I would rather run in 90-degree heat than the cold.
LVRR: What is one word you would say to someone who has just started running– whether it be a youth in the LVRR Kids Series, or an older individual- about why running is worth it?
CH: Freedom- Running gives you the chance to run anywhere at any time. It is one of the few things that the pandemic could not take away. The weather doesn’t matter and it gives you the opportunity to clear your head and run freely.
LVRR: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
CH: I see myself being an elementary school teacher and a cross country/track coach for the school district I teach in.
LVRR: What events did you run in high school?
CH: In high school I ran the 800, 4X800 relay, 1600 and 3200.
LVRR: What is your favorite event to watch that you don’t do yourself and why?
CH: My favorite event to watch that I don’t compete in myself is the 400 because it is super-fast yet the outcome of the race can change so quickly.
LVRR: What cross training do you incorporate into your running routine, if any? Do you focus more on cross training in the off season (if there is an off season for you!), or do you tend to cross train throughout the entire training cycle?
CH: I cross train all year throughout my season and off seasons. My go-to method of cross train is the Peloton bike or Tabata/HIIT workouts I make myself.
LVRR: How do you stay motivated when you don’t want to run?
CH: I think about the end result and how good it feels after I am finished, and remind myself how peaceful and relaxing a run can be for the mind.
LVRR: What are three words that describe how you feel when you’re out running?
CH: Calm, accomplished, strong
