I’m always on the lookout for new faces and I never know when or where I’ll find one. Alanna Jones just snuck up on me. I was at the Reggie Lewis Center at a coach's meeting and as I was sitting in the bleachers Alanna caught my eye. I think what caught my eye was the fact that I was watching someone with a distinctive form and I had no clue who she was. I hate when that happens! She appeared to be running effortlessly and in this particular workout she was doing the bulk of the work, leading her training partner through most of the intervals. On a whim I hit my stopwatch as she started her next interval. I can’t remember the time but it was a full 1000M and fairly fast. Fast enough so that she got my immediate respect. From that point on I kept one eye on the meeting and one on her workout – impressed at both the quality of the varying intervals and the speed of recovery.
As she started her warm down I decided to time my departure with the end
of her workout. I ended up staying longer than anticipated – she
just wouldn’t stop running. Finally I had to leave and as I passed
her I called out “Are you almost done!” She smiled and replied
“Just one more lap.” When she finished up she walked over
to where I was standing – perceptive enough to know I had something
on my mind. I explained who I was and she was happy to talk track. My
first words were “You’ve got to be a half miler.” She
confirmed it and throughout the conversation she exhibited the poise and
confidence I have come to associate with that event. By the end of the
conversation I had her plugged in as a future “Featured Athlete”.
Name : Alanna Jones
Age : 26
Town of Residence :Waltham
Profession :Personal Trainer
Pictured
on right is Alanna as the pace setter in the mile at the Adidas Boston
Indoor Games in 2004. This
is not a reverse image - she has just been introduced and is headed to
the starting line.
My sister ran in high school and my parents convinced me to give it a try. I was only 11 at the time and had a lot of difficulty running for longer than 5 minutes before needing to walk. It took me 4 years of running cross country before I completed my first race without stopping to walk throughout.
My freshman year in high school I qualified and ran in the 1500m @ the Div II Vermont State Track Championships. I surprised everyone, including myself when I won the race. It was then that I realized.
400m:62, 800m 2:24, 1500m 4:50 Cross Country 19:52
I actually chose Stonehill College, it was the only school I applied to (I don't recommend this). I was put on a waiting list (the year I graduated (95'), Stonehill had 1500 more first-year applicants than usual ). I was so disappointed and stubborn, that I chose not to go to college. It wasn't until May that UVM became a possibility. Mr Foersch (my high school coach) met with Ed Kusiak (UVM head coach) a few times in the season to discuss coaching tips and techniques. In conversation Kus asked where I was attending college in the fall, Coach Foersch said that I wasn't! "Would she be interested in UVM?" Unsure, Mr. Foersch brought me an application to fill out. The next day it was completed, and I was on my way to meet with Kus. Coach Foersch drove me, and within 15 minutes of my interview, my application was faxed to admissions. As we talked, the phone rang, and with a smile Kus told me I had been accepted. I was shocked, but what was more amazing was the fact that on top of everything Kus had done, I was also awarded a very generous partial track scholarship.
Was the weather there ever a problem for training?
I didn't realize it until I moved to Boston. When snow and cold is all you know (growing up in VT), there is nothing to compare it to until you live it. We also had an indoor track facility, so it wasn't uncommon to see me running up to 70 laps when it was below zero.
What was the highlight of your college career?
Winning the America East Indoor Championship my senior year in the 800m (2:09), and breaking a 20 year old school record held by Judy St. Hilaire.
What made you decide to continue running after college?
I told myself that I wouldn't stop running competitively until I hit a plateau, or became injured to the point of where it would jeopardize my health.
No
Robert Hoppler (a distace coach) at UVM gave me two names of coaches to call in the Boston area, Andy Ronan and Bob Sevene. I tried Andy first, but didn't receive a call back, so I tried Sev and the rest is history.
How does running for Reebok benefit you?
* I have a tremendous coach that takes the guess work out of workouts.
*An extremely talented group of athletes to train with.
*I'm provided with running equipment, travel expenses, and entry fees paid for.
*As well as given the opportunity to workout at a few of the best facilities in the country.
Who
is your coach?
Kevin Curtain (He's
great!)
What
does your training schedule look like?
During Indoor Track we have workouts either M/W/F or T/TH/Sunday race.
On my days away from the team I'll run anywhere between 3-7 miles according
to how I feel.
Who
do you train with? Erin Dromgoole, Maura Schnieder, Caitlin Murphy,
Brandee Boice, Amanda Logan, and Yasheka Taylor. Right now my main training
partner is Yasheka Taylor. She made the finals in the 800m (2:06.00) last
year indoors. I've known her for years, we competed against each other
in college, and now that we're on the same team. It's great. I can say
so many positive things about this girl, but most importantly she's got
a lot of heart. If it comes down to the final 100m of any race, there
is no one that will give as much as Yasheka. She is an extremely TOUGH
competitor, and I have a lot of respect for her.
Do you have any problems balancing running and work?
No, my job is absolutely perfect for this sport. I am able to set my own
hours, cross train throughout the day with my clients, sometimes get my
run in with them, take time off for meets, and am surrounded by healthy
individuals on a daily basis.
What is your favorite workout? I love descending intervals, because once you’re through the longest interval, it's all downhill. My favorite so far this season has been 1000 (38 secs pace) 800 (37 secs pace), 600 (36 seconds pace), 400 (33 seconds pace), 200 (30 seconds pace) *Four minutes rest between each interval.
Since this race is my first 800m, I didn't have a plan for pace, I was just going for the win, like everyone else. When the gun went off, I must have been sleeping, because everyone took off without me (I really need to work on my starts). I slowly moved up throughout the first lap until I was in second place. The leader went through in 31 while it took my 33.5 to find my stride. Keeping my eyes fixed on the leader, I started to close the gap. My second lap was 33.6. I felt extremely strong, but was too comfortable. I knew at this point that I wouldn't be running for a new PR. My third lap was a little slower 34.4, but I was able to move into the lead before the bell. I won with a 2:14.96 while second place was 2:17, I closed with 33.5 seconds. I was happy with the win, and to have run a respectable time on a flat track, but I know there is a lot of work ahead of me.
GBTC (1/18) and Terrier Classic (1/31)
What are your goals for this winter and also over the next five
years?
I would love to qualify for Nationals in either the 800m or the mile.
I've been battling injuries since I moved here in the fall of 2000, so
we'll see. I'm taking everything one step at a time, so five years from
now who knows:)
