Arianna Balinnang is a junior who is a two sport athlete. She runs on both the Varsity Cross Country team and the Varsity Track and Field team.
How is the Cross Country team preparing to make a successful run at state this season?
At practice a lot of what we’ve been doing are workouts targeted for endurance as well as workouts targeted for speed. I think along with doing the workout, we are trying to give our 100%, we are trying to take our hard days hard, our easy days easy, and our regular days regular. So just making sure we are giving the effort that is needed to be successful.
Being an upperclassmen, what leadership skills do you implement every day at practice to support your teammates?
So beyond just trying to make sure everyone knows where they’re going, what they’re doing at a certain time, I think a big part of what myself and the other upperclassmen have been trying to do is to make an effort to know our teammates on a personal level. We make sure to include fun team activities such as taking the team out for ice cream. It can also be as simple as telling them good job after practice.
Why is it so important to stay motivated at practice to prepare for big races?
If you don’t have any motivation at practice, you don’t really have a “why”. You don’t have a “why” while you’re going out to race, “why” am I doing this sport, “why” am I giving my effort and my time into something that I don’t want to put my 100% into. So, it’s important for us to stay motivated because we have a goal in mind. We want to continue our winning streak for sectionals, regionals, and NIC. We also all want to perform our best on an individual standpoint, as well as together as a team.
How does having two star freshmen this season help prepare the team for greatness in the future?
Sami Pentelow and Shreya Nayee are the two of the nicest and most hard-working little girls on the team. I think having them already being so talented early helps them to recognize what they need to become faster. They already have that motivation instilled in them. So, I think the fact that they’re already so talented and they’re so dedicated from such a young age is only going to benefit and help them, as well as the future of the Cross Country team.
Who inspires you to be hard-working and determined to reach your goals?
My inspiration is my Dad. My Dad ran in college, so he already knows all the main components about running and how to become a better athlete. He helps me stay motivated and tells me how I can improve as time goes on. Besides my dad, my teammates also push me to be hard-working and determined to reach my goals. They are the most encouraging and kind people I know. They are not just my teammates. I look at them as my sisters. They’ve helped me and supported me through my highest highs, as well as my lowest lows. They truly are my family.
How does Cross Country help you prepare even better for this upcoming Track season?
In Track, as a distance runner, I am usually more inclined to run events such as the 800, the 1600, and the 3200. Running Cross Country helps me build endurance, as well as helping build a strong and disciplined mindset. Having a sport in the fall helps with the transition to help prepare for Track in the spring.
What is your advice to younger/incoming runners?
My biggest advice to younger runners is realizing that the point you are at right now, isn’t the point you will stay at forever. Sometimes when I raced, and when I was stuck with a consistent time, it led me to feel somewhat hopeless in the moment. It led me to believe that I would never get faster. But, it is important to remember that you are training with all your effort every single day, so doing that alone is already getting you where you need to be. With that being said, know that you are working hard, and be proud of yourself. Enjoy the moment.
How do you feel about pursuing running in college?
As of right now, it’s not something I’m 100% sure on. I’m still deciding whether or not it’s something I want to pursue further, but I’m open to it!
What are your favorite things about Cross Country?
Too many to count! But I’ll have to say all of our bus rides. We do our Wordles, make Tiktoks, do hair, and just talk and talk until we all feel like napping.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned throughout your running career?
I’d say the most significant lesson running has taught me and something my coach always emphasizes that progress is never linear. It’s not always going to be a personal best, and that applies to other things as well like in my classes or my other activities. Some days are great, and some days aren’t, and that’s just the way it is. For me, I measure my progress by consistent effort and always showing up. All I can do is reflect, stay motivated, and keep on pushing for something better.
