ELIZA REGO
(PB: 600m - 1:37.84; 800m - 2:12.30;1,000m - 2:54.76; 1,500m - 4:29.96; Mile - 4:52.83; 5K - 17:38.29)
La Salle Academy junior Eliza Rego has quickly turned herself into a national-caliber runner. She won her first two individual state crowns (1,500m, 1,000m) this past indoor season and in March anchored the Rams' 4x1 mile relay that captured the overall title at the New Balance Nationals. Just recently, she finished second in the mile at the New York Relays where she narrowly missed a berth to the adidas Dream Mile.
Eliza will be back at it again this weekend at the Penn Relays Carnival where she'll run the final leg for the Rams' distance medley relay. We caught up with Eliza before she heads to Philly in our latest Q&A on RI MileSplit.
RI MileSplit: Congratulations on a great indoor season.Now let's talk about outdoor track. Judging by your recent second-place finish in the Invitational Mile at the New York Relays this past weekend, it seems to be off to a great start. Tell us about the race, one where you finished in 4:55.70 and was just .18 behind winner Lucy Biles of Herriman (Utah). You were in contention from the beginning. Take us through the race. How did you feel? What was your plan prior to stepping on the line?
Eliza: Going into the race I was a little nervous because I hadn't raced since nationals, which was over 4 weeks ago. My goal going into the race was to win and receive the berth to the Adidas Dream Mile on June 13. I also had splits that I had to hit; 73 for each 400 and I had to be around 2:26 to 2:28 at the 800. I knew that it would be tough to win because Lucy Biles was in my race, but I was excited because I knew she would push me. After the first lap I felt comfortable and relaxed. I was surprised that running a 73 first lap felt easy and paced considering that it is still early in the season. The 800 was a little slow, it was about 2:30, so I had to make up for it as much as I could in the second half of the race. During the last lap I stayed behind the leaders and decided to kick with about 100 left, but I made the mistake of kicking too early and started my kick around the turn. Finishing so close to first was a little upsetting, considering the same thing happened to me during the indoor season when I was running for a spot at the New Balance Grand Prix, but overall I am very happy with the time I ran.
RI MileSplit: You have the Penn Relays this Thursday night where you're on the DMR squad? After anchoring the national indoor champion 4x1 mile relay in March, you're confidence has to be high with a strong team heading to Penn. What are your team's expectations? I'm assuming you'll be running the mile anchor? Telling us about running that all-important final leg.
Eliza: I will be anchoring the DMR of Sheridan Wilbur, Jess Apajee, and Karina Tavares at the Penn Relays on Thursday night. After nationals, we proved that we can compete with any team in the nation. Our expectations and goal is to finish as one of the top teams. We will be running against the best DMR teams in the country, so placing would be amazing.
Running the last leg is very nerve-racking. First, you have to wait and stand on the side for about 7 minutes, watching the race unfold. Coach Martin always tells me to know where everyone is during the race before I line up, so while I'm waiting I keep track of what place every team is in. It is also very difficult to pace during the last leg because everyone is separated throughout the track. I usually go out too fast during the first lap, so I've been working on pacing during this type of situation.
RI MileSplit. Other than the nationals in June, will you be running any other out-of-state meets this season? If so, what event(s) will you be doing?
Eliza: The only out of state meet that I will be running in until Nationals is Penn Relays this Thursday.
RI MileSplit. You're part of a very-talented team, particularly in the distance events. Tell us what it's like to have gifted teammates such as Sheridan Wilbur and Karina Tavares to train with on a daily basis. Does it often get competitive during workouts and distance runs?
Eliza: Our team does get competitive during workouts, but in a good way. Its great having such a strong team because we push each other during workouts. We also switch leading during workouts, for example sometimes Sheridan and I will alternate leading the reps.
RI MileSplit. You've excelled in events ranging from the 600m to the 5K? What is your favorite event and why?
Eliza: My favorite event is definitely the 1500 or the mile. This is my favorite event because I like the quicker events that requires more speed, but also requires endurance. I'm not going to lie, I hate the 600. I've told Coach Martin this many times, but she doesn't care and still puts me in it; it's too short for what I'm used to running. I do like the 5K because I love to run long distances, long runs are my favorite type of workout, but I prefer to run faster than 5K pace. The 1500 and mile is the perfect combination of speed and endurance.
RI MileSplit. Finally, what are your overall goals for the season?
Eliza: I usually don't have goals and I just run, but this indoor season has led me to setting goals for this year and for the end of my high school career. For this season I would like to break the state mile record. The current record is 4:52. I believe that I can break this because I ran a 4:52 mile at the Indoor New England's this year. I would also like to break 4:50 in the mile before I graduate high school.
Now some general questions....
RI MileSplit: You're stranded on an island. Other than food, what is the one other item you would need to survive (or maintain your sanity)?
Eliza: If I were stranded on an island I would probably bring Sheridan's book case. She has so many books and I am always asking her to bring me one to read when we go on trips. I think that reading would be the only thing that would keep me sane.
RI MileSplit: What's your favorite TV show? Favorite movie?
Eliza: My favorite TV show is The Office. Karina and I are currently watching it on Netflix together. I don't really have a favorite movie, but I absolutely hate horror movies.
RI MileSplit: Who is your favorite sports figure and why?
Eliza: My favorite sports figure is Zdeno Chara from the Bruins. My dad has always been a big hockey fan so over the years I have watched many Bruins games with him. Chara is the captain of the Bruins and is one of the best defenders in the NHL. He's also 7 feet tall with skates on, which I can't imagine considering I'm 5'3.
RI MileSplit: What is your favorite subject in school and why?
Eliza: My favorite school subject is Literature. Literature is my favorite subject because I enjoy reading. I usually read before I go to bed, so reading for literature doesn't seem like homework or a chore.
