Summer 2011:
This past summer was the best I’ve had for training since I first started running in 10th grade. Last summer I got what I thought was a lot of mileage hitting 700 miles, but this year I was able to log 800 miles. That’s from where I live all the way to Virginia, which sounds pretty crazy but I did it. The majority of my miles were in Florida, going to do a long run once every two weeks in Clermont for some hill work, but I also spent a week at Warrior Camp at Young Harris College in Georgia to get some extra hills in. Best camp ever!
My typical training week this summer consisted of three workouts, three days of doubling, three easy runs, and one long run. This routine is basically clocked into my body by now, because I follow it during the season as well- but instead of three workouts a week, it’s two workouts plus a race. It was really awesome to see the improvements I made this summer compared with the last, because all of my workouts this year were significantly faster than in 2010. Every day after I ran, I did a core routine because I know that having a strong core is extremely helpful when it comes to racing and strength. I also lifted weights three days a week, because as everyone knows I don’t have the most muscular arms…
Aside from the plan that I followed, another huge help this summer was my good friend Julie Wollrath. We trained together last summer as well, but this summer was even better because we helped each other get better and we became closer friends. She said it best in her interview this past week, I would not be the runner I am today without her. Whenever we run there is never tension, we simply push each other to run harder because we are competitive people. Because of that, this summer was my best for training.
Shelby
**********************************************
ABOUT Shelby Davidson
Not everyone may know this, but I haven’t always been a runner. I’m not one of those kids who have been running their entire life, but it is definitely in my blood to be a runner. My grandpa and dad ran in high school, and so did my brother Tyler (who now runs for the University of Florida) so it was just a matter of time before I picked the sport up myself. I was born in the tiny, boring state of Delaware and moved a lot when I was younger. My entire childhood I was basically a tom-boy because I tried every sport possible- except for karate and lacrosse, and running of course. My main sport was always softball. I played for 10 years until I became a runner.
We were always a baseball/softball type family actually, because my brother played for 10 years as well. We both wanted to play in high school and college, so we grew up playing little league, travel ball, and then varsity in high school. I made the varsity team in 7th grade, which was a pretty big deal but going into my 10th grade year I was so sick of doing it. I had played for so long and I was just ready for something new. My brother is two years older than me, so I got to experience when he transitioned from baseball to running in 10th grade when I was only in 8th grade. He got so fast so quickly, and I wanted to try it out myself. It looked like fun, because long distance was way better than the short distance running around the bases- which I hated by the way. So the summer going into 10th grade, I decided in July that I wanted to run. This was kind of late and I didn’t get much training in, I only ran every other day, but by the end of the season I ran a 19:35. I fell in love with running my first at summer practice that year.
And so it began, my obsession with running. After my sophomore year, it was summer again and I had the desire and the motivation to be fast. So I trained extremely hard before junior year, and I got the results I wanted. This past summer going into my senior year I trained even harder, and I am hoping to achieve my goals and be an inspiration to all of those runner girls out there now who really want to be successful. I plan on running in college after this year, and hopefully winning an NCAA title and then going to the Olympics one day. These are pretty big dreams, but my heart is in the right place and I am determined and focused to give 110% all the time. As long as you have faith in yourself, you’re already one step closer.
"Most people run a race to see who is fastest. I run a race to see who has the most guts.” -Pre
Editor's Note- Shelby will be keeping a blog for us this year as she is set to improve on a stellar junior year. Last year Davidson was a Footlocker Finalist and has had one of her best summers of her high school career. Click here to follow all of her blog posts.
More on Shelby
Catching up with Footlocker Finalist Shelby Davidson
Join the DistancePreps Mailing List!!!
