Sadie Hamrin of Bemidji Class of 2018
Personal Records:
800m - 2:18.72
1600m - 5:16.07
3200m - 11:48.36
4K (xc) - 14:42.50
5K (xc) - 18:27.30
State XC 2017 - 24th place (All-State)
State XC 2016 - 83rd place
State XC 2015 - 15th place (All-State)
State XC 2014 - 19th place (All-State)
State XC 2013 - 68th place
State XC 2012 - 50th place
State T&F 2014 - 4x800 2nd place
State T&F 2013 - 4x800 alternate
Where were you born, and what does your athletic background look like?
Who are your coaches cross country?
Ryan Aylesworth and Nina Lubarski are my amazing distance coaches. They are so incredibly supportive, and although they want us to always succeed and place well, they are so absolutely understanding and kind even when we don't have the days we wanted. They motivate us to work extremely hard, while also encouraging us to have fun doing it.
Which Bemidji Lumberjack teammate has helped you the most this cross country season?
Kayla DeWitt has helped me so much this season. She has so much drive and determination, and when I'm tired or just don't feel like running, she always motivates me to keep running and work my hardest.
You were the individual champion at the Bemidji Invitational. How did that race unfolded for you this year?
I went out in that race wanting to win. I felt confident before the race, but I knew that there were top runners there and I would have to battle them for the win. Throughout the race I just tried to stay relaxed, and I wasn't going for time, just for place.
Caitlin Covington of Perham, Jerzie Finstad of Thief River Falls and I were together as a pack for the first mile. Finstad slowly fell off the pace and it was Covington and me for the next mile running together. Then with a mile to go I pulled ahead and tried to stay calm the rest of the way and stretch the lead as much as I could. I felt really strong all the way through the race, and it was great to have those two girls push me.
What has been your biggest obstacle?
My biggest obstacle has been that I struggle a lot with confidence. Both with running and other things I do, I never think I'm good enough. I was extremely depressed for over a year, but I finally got my life back together this summer. Although I'm extremely thankful that I don't struggle with depression anymore, I still have issues with my self-confidence, and it's been something that I've been really trying to work on.
Yes this was difficult for me too. I was 5-0 and 80 pounds as a 7th grader yet made it to the state cc meet. (I was crying on the line before that race.) My eight grade year I was up to around 5-7 and 100 pounds and did not run well at the state meet. As a ninth grader I mostly just gained weight up to about 120 pounds and was at my best finishing 19th and made All-State for the first time. (I was extremely happy with that performance but did not know what "all-state," meant.) Sophomore year I might have been 5-8 125 and made All-State again.
Then junior year I had knee pain the entire year and doctors did not know what it was. At the state meet I also forgot my inhaler to prevent asthma. I was around 5-9 135 for much of the year and still made it to state but obviously was unhappy with the year and my race at state cc that year.
At the state meet this year I felt very good after a wonderful season. I was in the top ten for the first mile or so but slowly faded to a 24th place finish. But this was a comeback for me making All-State again. I feel good at 5-9 and 145 and look forward to doing well the rest of the year in my sports.
What I did to return to top level running is to take a weight training class where we did the basic lifts: Bench, Squat, Cleans, etc. I tried to put emphasis on the lower body but have found that hard on my knee. So I spent more time on core exercises instead. But recently it has been feeling better so I feel that I can go back to more of an emphasis on the lower body this winter. We have always done some rope skipping and before cross country and track & field seasons my weight training goes to endurance rather than strength.
The other thing that has helped me as I have grown older is to do more long runs. We try to do at least one long run of 10 or 11 miles one day per week during the summer.
What is your favorite workout?
My favorite workout is mile repeats. Out of all the workouts, I feel the most in shape after mile repeats. They also give me a ton of confidence for racing. In the last mile of a race, I just try to pretend it's my last mile repeat, and then I know I can do it.
Do you do any sprint training or do you prefer to stick to speed endurance workouts? Have you changed what you have done from year to year?
We do hill sprints, strides, and flying 30's. Over the years, my coach has added more long runs and more 800m/1000m repeats.
Give us some details from the Section 8AA race this year.
The Lumberjack girls team has been doing well this year, and we've moved up a ton from where we were last year. We've had a bunch of people in and out with injuries, but they've all been smart about preventing further injuries and taking care of the ones they have so that they can come back to racing as soon as possible. We've really worked on running together not only in practices, but during the races. This strategy has helped us a ton, because the girls that stick together at practice then have the confidence to stick together during the race, and it's pushed them a lot this year.
What Bemidji runners from the past have inspired you as a runner?
I've been especially inspired by Jenna Truedson and Isaac Berg. Jenna was always so extremely driven and tough, and never once when I was watching her, did I see her face show any pain. She just went out there and ran the race she knew she could run, never doubting her grit. Secondly, Isaac Berg was an incredible example of someone going from being a simply good runner to a top of the state type of runner. I admire his work ethic so much, and it shows what you can do if you set your mind to something, put the hard work in, and truly believe, you can do it.
What mistakes do you see beginning runners make? What would you say to them?
I see beginning runners pushing past injuries, thinking that they'll continue to get better, but then they end up out of running for weeks. I also see them trying to push in too many miles in the summer, and then ending up either injured or burnt out halfway through the actual season. It's all about balance.
What has helped you improve the most as a runner?
For a workout, the 800m repeats have definitely helped me the most because they work a lot on my mental strength.
Who are your favorite athletes?
Two of my favorite athletes are teenage Olympians Simone Biles (gymnastics) and Sydney McLaughlin (400 meter hurdles). They're both such tough athletes, and I respect their work ethic so much.
What kind of race strategies do you like?
I've learned that I generally can't start out too fast, but I go out aggressively if I need too. My favorite way to race is to sit on someone's shoulder and then kick at the end. I like to sit towards the front, and then when I feel like they're getting tired, try to stretch a lead.
What are your plans after high school?
I'm planning to major in violin performance. My dream school is Juilliard, but some of my other top schools are Peabody Conservatory and Baylor University. I want to have a career as a concert violinist or a violinist in a professional orchestra.
What else are you willing to share with MileSplit MN?
I've played the violin since I was 2 years old. This last summer, I was the concertmaster of the MN All-State Orchestra, and when I was 8, I was featured on Oprah's Most Talented Kids. My dream is to travel the world, performing as a concert violinist. I also have maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school.