Dan Kilcoyne thought about giving up running. The Chariho Regional High School senior was dealing with the stresses that come in that final year. He was focused on college applications and scholarships, all while balancing the sport he had fell in love with six years ago. The decision was hard, but in the end he couldn't quit on his teammates.
"At one point I wanted to take time off from running, but as part of the team I know that I could never do that. I was having trouble fitting everything in during the day. I was going to bed past 12:00 a lot of the nights. I thought about not doing indoor this year and just coming back strong for outdoor." A lot of the stress has been taken off lately and I just love the sport too much."
Kilcoyne says he hasn't found the perfect combination to balance the two just yet, but has found a mixture he can handle. When Dan and his brother Jake hit the track they combine for one of the top brother duos in the state of Rhode Island. The two agree and disagree on certain things as most siblings do, but when it comes time to run, Dan says the two are teammates.
"It's nice to have someone to train with, but it's also nice to run alone once in awhile. We're our own kind of runners. He's more long distance and I have a bit more speed. I'd beat him in the 200,400, and 800 because I have a lot of strength to push through those. He beats me in the two mile because he just loves that race and has a bit more endurance."
What about the mile? Dan says the two will find out soon when they go head to head in the Rhode Island Classic. The meet features several of the top teams from Rhode Island and the surrounding states. It will be a good opportunity for the duo to see where they rank. For Dan it will be his first meet of the season. He says he decided to take some time off from cross country while Jake jumped right in.
"For Jake it's his third meet for me it's my first. I decided to some rest and strength training after cross country. He should have the advantage because I have little idea what I'll be able to do and practice hasn't been too intense. It's a pretty big meet and should be fairly competitive."
Jake started off the 2011 indoor campaign by winning the 3k in 9:10 at a dual meet. He easily won the race, and also won the 1500 at a smaller invitational Chariho held recently. Brother Dan says if Jake goes out fast splitting 30 second for each 200 and finishing in a 4:14 the race won't be competitive.
"If he runs like that tomorrow he won't be beating me. As for my mindset I plan to stay relaxed the first couple laps and then start moving with about three to go. Jake plans to run even splits and get the best time possible. He's thinking more about time. I'm thinking more about place."
In a race that pits the two brothers head to head Dan says there is no bragging or betting it's simply a race.
"We both race hard and there is nothing really to say about it afterwards."
At the beginning of the school year Dan was contemplating if he would run indoors. Now he is preparing to break records and improve on his state championship from a year ago. The senior believes the decision to take time off early in the season will pay dividends later on.
"I'm very glad I stuck with it. I can't imagine not going to practice with these guys. I'm hoping to break 2:28 in the 1K and get the state record."
Dan also has high praise for his little brother Jake.
"He's improved incredibly from last year. He ran a 9:06 in the 3K and finished 6th at states and wasn't that competitive on a regional level. Now he is one of the top guys in the 3K and two mile. He has an 8:46 for 3K this year. The best is yet to come."
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