Cross Country Season on Flotrack 2013Sep 25, 2013 by Mitch Kastoff
US#2 Joe Hardy maps out his fall schedule, will choose Foot Locker over NXN
US#2 Joe Hardy maps out his fall schedule, will choose Foot Locker over NXN
Seattle Preparatory's Joe Hardy has started this season hot out of the gate. In his season opener at the Sundodger Invitational, Hardy easily defended his title with an even quicker mark than last year. In the Saucony Elite 50 national rankings, Hardy has been in the number two spot for two consecutive releases. We caught up with the senior earlier this week.
Before you started your summer grind, the last time we saw you was at the Portland Track Festival. Between then and now, how has everything been going training-wise?
Training's been going all right. I actually took three weeks off this summer for a trip to the Dominican Republic, which was a really good break I thought. Training's a constant so I try to make it as enjoyable as possible. We've been doing 2-3 hard workouts a week and I feel pretty strong for this XC season.
Last year you opened your season at the Sundodger Invitational with a 19-second win in14:57.10. This year was similar, but 10-seconds quicker and a 10-second margin of victory. How was this year's race?
It was a good opener, the course is essentially just downhill and uphill so it's fast but also feels pretty hard. It was a solid race, however, I would have liked to have pushed myself a little harder especially in the last couple miles.
Photo: Aaron Rich
What's your racing schedule like this fall compared to past seasons?
I'm doing Stanford this year, actually this weekend which is a new invite for me. I'm really exited to run there. I know it's a fast course and there will be some good competition. Also instead of NXN, I think I'm going to try to do Foot Locker this year. Again, this is new and I don't really know what to expect but it should be fun. Other than that, our team is doing an invitational every other week and then we have the gauntlet of three weeks in a row of metros, district, and state.
You're the defending Washington state champion, the defending NXN Northwest champion, and the number two returner from NXN, where you finished fourth. Is an NXN title on your mind this year?
As I said earlier I don't think going to do NXN this year. Not a knock against the event, but it's more team oriented as opposed to Foot Locker, which is individual. Unfortunately, the Northwest Region for NXN is incredibly strong this year and I don't think my team will have a shot at making NXN, which coincides with my choice to do Foot Locker.
Can you describe the importance of the Nike BorderClash Invitational (if there is any)?
Borderclash is simply a unique race that no other runners in the country get to experience. Nike is a great company and really tries to promote running as best as it can and we're lucky to have it in the Northwest. This being said, I don't look to Borderclash as a competition per say. I think of it more as an icing on the cake; a reward for a season full of hard work.
What do you normally do in your downtime?
Nothing really pops into my mind. I like to spend time with friends and stuff.
What's your favorite cross country workout?
4xMile at 2 mile pace, 30min tempo, or 8x400 at 60-seconds.
Would you rather only be able to whisper or only be able to shout?
Whisper because my voice is weird and can be embarrassing if I shout.
Before you started your summer grind, the last time we saw you was at the Portland Track Festival. Between then and now, how has everything been going training-wise?
Training's been going all right. I actually took three weeks off this summer for a trip to the Dominican Republic, which was a really good break I thought. Training's a constant so I try to make it as enjoyable as possible. We've been doing 2-3 hard workouts a week and I feel pretty strong for this XC season.
Last year you opened your season at the Sundodger Invitational with a 19-second win in14:57.10. This year was similar, but 10-seconds quicker and a 10-second margin of victory. How was this year's race?
It was a good opener, the course is essentially just downhill and uphill so it's fast but also feels pretty hard. It was a solid race, however, I would have liked to have pushed myself a little harder especially in the last couple miles.
Photo: Aaron Rich
What's your racing schedule like this fall compared to past seasons?
I'm doing Stanford this year, actually this weekend which is a new invite for me. I'm really exited to run there. I know it's a fast course and there will be some good competition. Also instead of NXN, I think I'm going to try to do Foot Locker this year. Again, this is new and I don't really know what to expect but it should be fun. Other than that, our team is doing an invitational every other week and then we have the gauntlet of three weeks in a row of metros, district, and state.
You're the defending Washington state champion, the defending NXN Northwest champion, and the number two returner from NXN, where you finished fourth. Is an NXN title on your mind this year?
As I said earlier I don't think going to do NXN this year. Not a knock against the event, but it's more team oriented as opposed to Foot Locker, which is individual. Unfortunately, the Northwest Region for NXN is incredibly strong this year and I don't think my team will have a shot at making NXN, which coincides with my choice to do Foot Locker.
Can you describe the importance of the Nike BorderClash Invitational (if there is any)?
Borderclash is simply a unique race that no other runners in the country get to experience. Nike is a great company and really tries to promote running as best as it can and we're lucky to have it in the Northwest. This being said, I don't look to Borderclash as a competition per say. I think of it more as an icing on the cake; a reward for a season full of hard work.
What do you normally do in your downtime?
Nothing really pops into my mind. I like to spend time with friends and stuff.
What's your favorite cross country workout?
4xMile at 2 mile pace, 30min tempo, or 8x400 at 60-seconds.
Would you rather only be able to whisper or only be able to shout?
Whisper because my voice is weird and can be embarrassing if I shout.