LVRR: What college will you attend and intended major of study? Do you plan to run while attending college?
KB: I will be attending Ursinus College in the fall to major in biomedical engineering. I will be running on the Ursinus women’s XC and Track team competing at the D3 level.
LVRR: What age did you start running and why?
KB: I always loved sprinting as a kid, but I began competitively sprinting freshman year and distance running sophomore year. Unfortunately, in middle school there was no track team and at the time I was convinced I wasn’t a distance runner so I didn’t join the XC team. Although I started a little later than my peers, I am pleased with the progress I’ve made from when I started.
LVRR: What is your greatest accomplishment in your running career?
KB: My greatest accomplishment in my running career was being able to experience a second undefeated season along with a league and district title win my senior year. With the district win we were able to compete at states which was a goal I had since the beginning of the season, but a goal I thought was unlikely I would achieve. As captain of the team I was beyond proud of all my girls and how far they’ve come through all their hard work and the endless support they showed each other.
LVRR: Describe an experience where you had to “sink or swim.” What did you learn from it?
KB: At our last home meet we raced against our rival Parkland and we knew it was going to be a close race so everyone needed to put forth their best effort. I was neck and neck with another Parkland runner the whole race and as 7th runner it was crucial for me to get those last points. As I approached the shoot all I could feel was my beating chest and sweat running down my face. I had the choice to be comfortable or get uncomfortable and as I made those last few strides past the finish line past my opponent it became clear I made the right choice. I learned when you leave your comfort zone you achieve things you never knew you could.
LVRR: Who has been your most influential role model and why?
KB: My most influential role model by far has to be my XC coach Kelly Bracetty. She joined our program my junior year and has revolutionized our team from the moment she began coaching us. I like to think I’m pretty good with words, but when it comes to describing how she’s impacted my life I am left speechless. She inspires me, she mentors me, and she is the reason I am the runner I am today. The way she cared about and built a relationship with every single one of her athletes and took the time to analyze what they needed to succeed leaves me in awe. She is the runner I want to be and more importantly the woman I want to be. She pushed me when I thought I couldn’t take another step, she taught me what it takes to grow and I value that the most.
LVRR: What would most people be surprised to learn about you?
KB: Most people would be surprised to learn I actually was (still debatable if I am) very anti-distance running until I peer pressured to join XC my sophomore year and even then, I wasn’t that good. Having asthma and allergies made it hard to breathe which was very discouraging, but as I adapted, I began to focus on all the skills that go into distance running. With a lack of natural talent, I am proud of all the hard work I’ve put into this sport
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?
KB: One word I would say to anyone who just started running is focus. Keeping a goal and staying focused on that goal will allow you to yield unimaginable success. Even if the goal is little like running an 8-minute mile instead of a 8:15 one. In my opinion running is one of the most mentally demanding sports and when you lack that focus it can be very overwhelming and hard to go that extra mile (literally). On the other hand, it is also one of the most rewarding sports to me so stay focused and keep going and I guarantee success will find you.
LVRR: Is anyone else in your family a runner?
KB: One of my tios on my dad’s side is a very big distance runner and holds several records at his alma mater.
LVRR: What events did you run in high school?
KB: I ran a large span of events ranging from the 200 to the mile. My main events were mid distance events like the 400 and the 800. My all-time favorite event was most definitely the 4×4, so much fun.
LVRR: What is your favorite event to watch that you don’t do yourself and why?
KB: One of my favorite events to watch that I don’t do is the 4×1 because the pure speed and accuracy it takes is astounding to me. When it all comes together it is a very beautiful thing.
LVRR: How do you stay motivated when you don’t want to run?
KB: I usually lack a decent amount of motivation to run especially during quarantine when I had to run alone since I usually rely on my teammates to push me. So instead I rely on dedication and realize how much success I am missing out on if I skip that training day or don’t put my all in the workout. I’ve seen my dedication pay off and it never fails me. Just set a little goal and keep making them bigger each time you succeed.
LVRR: What are three words that describe how you feel when you’re out running?
KB: Three words that describe how I feel when I’m out running is liberated, invincible, and limitless. When you reach that runner’s high you feel like you can do absolutely anything and once you get a taste of that that’s all you ever want to feel.
