Name: Carmen Solis
Sport: Cross Country
Year: Freshman
High School: Waubonsie Valley
Lily Goodfellow: When did you start running?
Carmen Solis: I started running when I was in fourth grade. My mom signed me up for a running club with no expectations. I ran with my brother and I got first place, which I didn’t think I could do. So, I just started from there and I really liked it. Then I ran throughout middle school and high school.
LG: What are your goals with cross country?
CS: I think it’s just staying in good health. And getting better times in each race.
LG: Do you have any advice for younger people just starting out in cross country?
CS: Don’t get discouraged. Even though you might think you don’t have the mentality to do it and get through the race, just keep pushing through.
LG: How do the meets work in cross country?
CS: For cross country, we do just one race. But we’ve been switching off in college, where it’s like 6k one week, 5k the next week, and 4k the next. That’s for women. It’s one race for women and one race for men. For men, they usually have an 8k. The meets are combined, and the men and women run at different times.
LG: What is your favorite running event?
CS: In track, I like running the 800.
LG: What do you eat the night before a meet?
CS: I usually carbo load. So, I eat pasta. The team will often go to Olive Garden, so I’ll get the chicken alfredo or shrimp alfredo.
LG: What have you learned about teamwork from running cross country?
CS: I think we need to have a team dynamic just to get through the race. So each runner supports each other.
LG: What do you listen to while running?
CS: I like to listen to pop or to rap.
LG: What do you think is your greatest accomplishment?
CS: Getting fourth place in a regional meet in middle school. I didn’t think I could do it, and I moved up a lot in eighth grade. It helped me realize that I could believe in my own strength.
LG: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
CS: That’s a good question. I really want to go to Europe.
LG: What one word best describes you?
CS: Caring. I like caring about people.
LG: Thank you, Carmen!
CS: Thank you.
