Welcome to another season of Distance Gala Weekly. Last year, we started Distance Gala Weekly with the hopes of bringing a bit more attention to the sport, listing the top performances of the past week, along with interviews, links to additional articles, and much more. Well, we’re back, ready for another season, excited to bring you the news each week of what’s going down at the top of the high school distance running community. Enjoy!

An Interview with McKinzie Schulz

McKinzie Schulz (Sr., Benet Academy, IL) is one of the top returnees in the country at 800m and 1,600m heading into the 2010 track and field season, not to mention she is a strong steeplechase competitor. Schulz has high hopes for this season, which kicks off at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games this weekend in Boston, where she’ll take part in the excellent high school girls mile field. Schulz has big meet experience, making her one of the favorites heading into Saturday’s competition.

Distance Gala Weekly caught up with Schulz this week, as she prepares for Reebok BIG. Schulz discussed a variety of issues, including her early season training, her outlook on the season, why she chose the University of Notre Dame for college and a whole lot more.

Distance Gala Weekly (DGW): You were recently invited to participate in the Reebok Boston Indoor Games elite high school mile. How did the invitation come about? What are your thoughts heading into the weekend in Boston?

McKinzie Schulz (MS): This year I was really excited about doing a big indoor race in addition to Nike (Indoor Nationals). So, I ran at the University of Chicago for a good time in order to get invited to either Millrose or Reebok. Going into the race this weekend, I am just thinking about having a good experience and not getting too worked up.

DGW: The Illinois track season is just starting. What are your expectations heading into Reebok BIG?

MS: My expectations for this race are that we will take it out pretty fast and then we'll see who can hang on.

DGW: What type of training have you done over the past few weeks to make sure you're prepared to run in Boston, but still work on the things you need to do to make sure you compete at your best come outdoor track?

MS: So far I've done some of the highest mileage weeks I've ever done in order to get prepared for outdoor. I've never done long runs until this winter. I have also been doing some creative workouts every Sunday, and one other speed workout every week, to get my legs ready for that fast-paced mile at Reebok. Lastly, I've been doing a lot of visualization and working on my mental game.

DGW: Entering the season, you're one of the top returnees nationally in the middle distance events. What are your goals heading into the season?

MS: My goals this year are solely to improve my times from last year. "Run for fun and personal bests," as Al Carius (coach at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois) would say.

DGW: You’ve committed to the University of Notre Dame. Why did you decide on Notre Dame to continue your student-athlete pursuits?

MS: Choosing a college was the hardest thing I've had to do. I am very indecisive and it was a lot harder than expected. My dad went to Notre Dame, and so it has been my dream to run there ever since I was young. Coach Connelly has a running camp every summer and we have developed a good relationship. I remember calling my mom at camp and telling her how the school just felt like home to me. As I got older though, I thought I wanted to go to college far from home, and that was the plan for a while.

At first I wanted to run for Georgetown but that coach became uninterested, then it was Duke and I really loved the team there, especially the coaches. They've done a really good job! But I couldn't stop thinking about Notre Dame, and I mulled over the pros and cons everyday during history class, lying in bed trying to fall asleep, one time I was even dozing off in class and subconsciously had written Duke vs Notre Dame in my notes. I finally chose Notre Dame, because I've seen the family like connection the students and alumni have that I didn't really feel at any other school I visited.

People complain about the snow in South Bend, but it's not any worse than the snow I've dealt with, plus it makes you tougher and you have more rest days which pays off in the end of the season. I'll get to run again with my role model from freshman year, Abby Higgins. Also, Coach Connelly made a promise to me that he'd do anything he could to make me as good as I want to be, and as long as I do my part I know I can trust him.

DGW: You've had the opportunity to compete in some very big meets, as well as travel for competition. How have they helped you grow as a runner the past few years?

MS: Yes, I have gotten to compete in some really big and exciting meets this past year. The best part of it was meeting the other athletes who were so inspiring to me. Being on a team with people like Michelle Brown (my future roommate), Carlton Lavong, Cory McGee, Davis Fraker, Kori Carter and many others, is an experience that has made me appreciate track so much more. Track is such a difficult sport and the reason so many people do it is because of the beautiful people that make up the track community. I've grown as a runner because of these meets, that have shown me how much hard work can pay off. The trivial things that may distract you in high school are not worth the accomplishments that can come when you put everything you have into something you wish to be great at.