My own words: Emily Hay - why I run

Why I Run – Emily Hay in Her Own Words.

Emily Hay is a typical teenager. She is also the New Zealand Secondary Schools junior and New Zealand athletics U18 steeplechase bronze medalist and a Southland Secondary Schools cross country champion.

And that is not typical of today’s teenagers. So what prompted a 15-year-old to take up the demanding sport of distance running and the even more demanding steeplechase?

Lance Smith caught up with the talented runner to see what drives her.

Why running, what made you decide distance running was your sport?

I enjoyed all the cross-country races and distance races at athletics days at JHC junior campus so I decided that I wanted to do more of this so I signed up.

Photo: Emily with Rod Dixon and Lorraine Moller. Pic: Lance Smith

Does the time needed for training impact on your social life?

With all the training and races that I do, it can be difficult to find time to hang out with friends but I manage to find time sometime during my week. I feel there is still freedom in my running programme to work around the training to fit in the time to hang with friends.

What do you like about the steeplechase?

A steeplechase race just seems to interest me more than just a straight run like a 1500 or 3k. I like being able to train for another element of a race, being the hurdles and water jump, rather than just running. Another reason why I kept doing steeplechase was because after my first nationals I realised that I could actually do this and potentially go far with the right training.

Distant running and in particular the steeple is hard work. Doesn’t that put you off?

The training is what is going to get me far so I don’t mind putting in the hard yards in training to compete well. I really enjoy the steeple so for me I find it easier to train for steeple than regular distance running so I don’t mind if I have to put in the extra effort by training for hurdles and the water jump.

Photo: On the way to winning the Southland secondary schools cross country title. Pic: Lance Smith

You come from a sporting family. What support do you get from you parents?

My parents support me at all of my events, they give me positive encouragement and don’t expect me to win which takes some pressure off me. They give me the opportunities to travel to events and compete at high level competitions.

JHC has had several well performed athletes in the past? Do they still, and how supportive is your school?

JHC is lacking some athletes at the moment but there are a few young students coming through with talent. James Hargest allows students opportunities to participate in many events and encourage us to compete at high levels.

I know you have entered the Motatapu Miners Trail. It will be tough. Are you worried?

Not at this stage seems it still a while away, but I’m going to have to put in some serious hill work to make sure I go into the race with confidence.

What’s your proudest running moment to date?

My proudest running moment definitely be my 2k Steeple race at my first National Secondary Schools. I went into the race not knowing many people and their capabilities because I’d never raced to this level before. As soon as I pulled away from the girl I was drafting behind, I knew I had the chance to medal, so I gave it all I had. When I crossed that line in 3rd place I was so overwhelmed and so proud of what I had just accomplished. I was never expecting that result and especially not at my first big event.

What are your running plans for this summer season?

My main plans are to compete at secondary school nationals as well as Athletic NZ nationals and to run for pb’s.

What are your future goals?

In the future I would like to compete at an Oceania’s and to run for New Zealand.

You have two more national T&F Champ as an U18. What are your intentions for them?

By the end of high school I would like to win a gold medal for the 2k steeplechase in the senior age group which would most likely require sub 7 minutes. I am just going to try lower my 3k time as low as I can and see where that takes me.

What about cross country?

Cross country doesn’t really have an impact on my track achievements because I see them as two different seasons and I train for the two respectively. Obviously the training for each is different so heading into the new season I won’t be as trained and prepared for that environment as I could be but I settle into the new season reasonably quickly.

What other sports have you done or do now?

Over the years I’ve participated in heaps of sports, some of them being netball, dance, hockey and touch but I currently do athletics, swimming and netball.