Running With Cross Country

Oct. 20, 2010

Throughout the 2010 season, SoonerSports.com will sit down with members of the OU cross country program to provide insight into practice, competition and a few fun facts you should know about each team member. This week we sat down with junior Annie Martin.

How has the season been so far?
“This season has been going really well. We've actually had to deal with some adversity this year as far as injuries. Two of our top runners are currently suffering from injuries and I am actually just coming back from being injured. I didn't train all summer due to a knee injury. I would definitely say that we are being pushed in more ways than one. Besides just training it's been good. We've really built a good team dynamic and a lot of us are really enjoying each other's company and are starting to become more of a close knit team. I think more than anything we are all training as best as we can and we are handling the situation with injuries to the best of our abilities. I know personally it was really hard coming into the season being hurt and not being able to train with the team. We've still been able to remain close and supportive of one another in our efforts to get better, and to heal and also to improve on the course.”

Do you think you can take the momentum from the Chile Pepper into the Big 12 Championships?
“Absolutely, last week's mentally and strategy was to compete together as a team and really work towards helping each other out. I know coming in as a transfer student I had never experienced the feeling or opportunity to compete in a race with other individuals supporting you. I think it will be really important for us to stay focused on that same kind of strategy in hopes of really working together and pushing each other to achieve personal bests and to compete to our maximum ability.”

What do you think about when you are running?
“Personally there are a lot of things going on in my mind. Coach (Skip Pickens) is always concerned with us staying focused and keeping our eye on the prize and the finish line. I think when it comes to racing and running there is a lot of time that goes into focusing on how I am feeling and really making decisions based off of the feeling that I'm experience, so it is important to be aware mentally of what is taking place.

“I'd also say that when you talk about the ultimate prize and ultimate goal, the finish line isn't always the biggest thing that I think about. It's more about my relationship with Christ and the real suffering that he has gone through. Every time I'm in pain I just look back on what's really more important than the ultimate prize.

Our team runs during workouts, I'd say a lot of us really enjoy using our longer runs to really bond and share each other's stories and get advice. I know recently we've all had good therapy sessions during runs now that we are closer.”

What do you like most about being a Sooner?
“The best thing about being a Sooner is knowing that everyone that is here competing in athletics is really all about becoming better athletically and academically. There is this huge cohesiveness and effort to become the best you can be.”

What is your favorite thing about the team?
“Besides the fact that everyone works extremely hard, it's everyone ability to care for each other, and be good teammates and really support each other throughout everything.”

10 things you should know about Annie Martin
1) Her favorite restaurant is Cheesecake Factory.
2) Her favorite book is the Bible.
3) Her favorite sports besides cross country are track and basketball.
4) If she could have dinner with three people they would be her best friend Abbey, her dad and her grandpa.
5) Her favorite movie is Remember the Titans.
6) Her dream date is her boyfriend Luke Bryant.
7) Her favorite musical artist is Lil Wayne.
8) Her favorite pair of shoes are her Michael Kors stilettos.
9) If she won the lottery the first thing she would do is give to the less fortunate.
10) Her role model is her dad because he played football at Nebraska and has always been there for her.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors