Cordell and the rest of the Bulldogs get ready for the SEC Champs

1. Helping Georgia finish in the top 15 at the Pre-National race in the purple division, how has the season been going for you heading into the final stretch of the competition?

It's been a short but fun season. This is all so new to me. This is my first full season of cross country. Pre-nationals was only my third 6K ever. I wasn't disappointed with my race, but i didn't have the best race. I had to take 7 days (wednesday to wednesday) completely off with no cross training and as a result I was pretty flat. I am just focusing on one meet at a time working on a PR every meet. Coach Waters has taken a very conservative approach to the start of the season and in result the team is pretty healthy.

2. Georgia will also host the upcoming SEC Championships on November 3. How much of an advantage do you think the race will be for the Bulldogs since it is on your home course?

Initially, i thought we were at a huge advantage because i was thinking we would practice on the course alot, but considering the golf course is open seven days a week until sunset we have no opportunity to run the course until the day before just like every other team. Their are definitely some advantages like not having to travel, having all your friends there to cheer you on, a familiar setting, etc. I am very excited, and Athens is a fun place to visit for teams that haven't ever been here.

3. As a high school athlete in the state of Texas, you finished 11th in state in cross country as a senior and 12th as a junior. How did you balance out also participating in the sport of soccer during the same season in which you were also a 4-year letterwinner?

I wasn't really a cross country runner in high school. I didn't run a full season until my Junior year. My focus in High school was the 400 (55.3) until i ran the 800 (2:08) as a junior. I was basically running cross country to get a base for track. In Texas Cross country was only a two mile race so it wasn't that big of a difference. I played club soccer during the cross country season and our soccer practices were very long and tiring. I got alot of my mileage there so intervals were what my cross country practices were most important for. I don't think i ever exceeded 20 miles per week in high school. High School soccer didn't;t begin until Feb/March so it went on during most of the track season. It really wasn't a very hard balance. If anything, the 2 sports really compliment each other ( not including all the bumps, bruises and strawberries that come from soccer)The only thing i found really hard was having soccer and track practice in the same day. Sometimes my legs just felt dead.

4. Distance coach Dan Waters begins his second season with Georgia. What is the basic training philosophy of the Bulldog program and how much has he helped you along during your collegiate career so far?

Coach Waters is very patient. He has taken this team from nothing to a pretty solid group of runners. He has alot of goals and expectations, but they are all very realistic. He worries alot about the over-all health of the team and due to alot of injuries last year, he has taken a little more conservative approach to the season. He is a fantastic coach and a very respected man. He has has helped me so much. Last year i was told that i had to run in the XC SEC meet just three weeks before. I panicked feeling i wasn't ready to run a 6k and I increased my mileage from 20 mpw to about 35-40 mpw in a week and resulted in a stress fracture. I was devastated because this injury was holding me out of the real season i was recruited for. I red-shirted indoor and started running again early march. I thought i could get in shape fast so i decided not to red-shirt outdoor. I had the roughest season of my life! I ran in 4 meets and couldn't get with in 8 seconds of my PR. The whole time coach waters was so encouraging. I was so down on myself and i had absolutely no confidence. He fired me up and made me believe in myself. He is a hard coach, but knows when an athlete needs a little pat on the back. We all love him.

5. Trackshark recently published an On Campus tour of Georgia. Describe what it's like to be a student-athlete on the campus and some of the more visible places to visit and enjoy.

Georgia is an incredible school. I knew he minute i stepped foot onto the campus i wanted to be a "Bulldog". It's got all the elements of a big state school but he comfort of being right at home. There is so much Pride behind being a "bulldog" and it makes it so fun to compete in a Georgia uniform. Downtown Athens is so unique. Its a small downtown with great shops, and incredible dining. The running trails in Athens are my favorite. We have so many neat places that provide soft ground to run on and its fun because you are able to have a change of scenery. It took a little while to get used to the hills because Houston, Texas is pretty flat.

6. What part of training during the cross country season do you personally enjoy the most?

I enjoy the short/middle intervals like 5-7 x1000 or 400 short fartleks. They really help my speed. I also really enjoy long runs which is pretty weird for me because my longest run last year was around a 50 minute run. Sometimes ill run for 85-90 minutes and not think twice about it.

7. With the indoor track & field season right around the corner, what events will you be focusing on and how much will your training change in order to adjust to the new season?

My main focus will be the 800m, but i am going to attempt the 1500/mile as well. I ran the mile twice in high school, but i don't really know how to run it. My miles will probably stay around 35-45 miles per week range and the intervals will be alot quicker with less recovery. I think the XC season will help me with my base...Speed is what's crucial for me.

8. With most of your focus on collegiate athletics and your studies, what do you enjoy the most to help you relax and have fun when you don't have to worry about all the pressure of being a student-athlete?

I am a girl on the go. My friends can't believe the minimal down time i require. I'm just not the type of person to lay around all day.When i do though ,i love watching movies. I also attend FCA ( fellowship for Christian Athletes) every Sunday and i go to an incredible bible study called Crossroads every Tuedsay. I am just like any other girl, i love pampering myself with manicures and pedicures ( you know how runners feet are), and of course shopping (my weakness) . I love just hanging out with friends.

9. Based on the length of the collegiate cross country season, do you feel it is too short, too long or just right?

I feel like it is a little short, but i like the short season. I would much rather end a season wanting more than being really burnt out.

10. Are you one to visit numerous track & field websites and do you consider yourself a big fan of the sport?

I really don't search the web for times or scoop about runners, but after doing the sport and competing against the same people alot you start to develop friendships. Sometimes i check to see how some of my friends that run are doing, but i never study random results. I would definitely say I am a big fan of the sport, but I don't want it to consume my entire life. I still have a ton to learn about it too. Believe me i I put everything into this sport and many of my choices are based on the fact the fact that i am in this sport, but i really don't want my world to be running and running only. :)

11. What has been the greatest experience for you so far during your tenure at Georgia?

My greatest experience has been watching our team progress and really turn into a team. I love the workouts that we all work together and encourage each other. I never really understood how team-oriented this sport was and i love it!!