Interviews: Kathryn Moore of Bates
 (Photo courtesy of the Bates College athletics website)
Kathryn Moore is a senior at Bates College. She heads into the 2006 cross country season after garnering All-American status in the 3,000m steeplechase placing 8th at the 2006 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships with a time of 10:49.46. She recently set the fastest time for a Bates woman at the Tufts Farm Course when she placed 4th overall at the Tufts Jumbo Cross Country Invitational with a 6k time of 22:41. This time also was the second fastest 6k time in school history.
By: Derick Lawrence (9/18/2006)
Could you tell us a little bit about yourself (where you're from, how you got started running)?
I’m from Pelham, NH. Smaller population than UMass Amherst. I started running in middle school because my elementary school gym teacher told me I should. This was after I whooped every uppity 4th grade boy in the 440yd dash. So I’ve been running since 5th grade.
What were your PR's in high school (cross country and track)?
800 2:28
Mile 5:35
3k 10:50
5k 19:56
What are your current PR's (cross country and track)?
Some of them still aren’t good. I’m working on it.
800 2:22 (don’t tell anyone)
3k 10:12
Steeple 10:49
5k 17:33
5k XC 18:52
What made you choose Bates College?
I wanted to go to Middlebury and got REJECTED!! Their loss. The people at Bates were so friendly that I couldn’t say no. It really is the student body that makes this place special. They are all helpful and kind. They are also a very eclectic group. You can find someone who shares your interest in anything. From didgeridoos to old-time fiddle music. It’s all here!
What was your training like this past summer?
After coming home from work, I would be pretty tired. So I’d complain for half an hour then go. I can’t do a lot of miles because my body gets sad. I got up to 60 one week. That’s the farthest I’ve ever run. I try to do tempos during the summer for workouts. I did some hills. They were awful. I spent most of my time on trails to minimize impact injuries. You’d be surprised how many nice places there are to run in and around Biddeford, ME. Trails are really my bread and butter. Except that I don’t really eat bread and butter. They are more like my Lucky Charms and milk.
What is your favorite workout(s) during the cross country season and what does it include?
When I was in middle school (and sometimes in high school) I used to lie about being hurt so I didn’t have to do workouts. They are just terrible. This was back before I understood that running them made you better. Anything with lots of repeats or hills is no good. Tempo runs are where it is at. They are less like workouts and more like races to me.
What are your goals for this cross country season?
I would like to have a good cross-country season for once in my college career. Each year previous has fallen apart due to some injury or illness. This year I would like to be an All-American. There is no reason I shouldn’t be.
Do you walk, bike, or drive to class and/or practice? If you bike or drive, what kind of bike or car do you have?
Our entire campus is less than one square mile. My room is 200 meters from food and class and only 100 meters from the gym. Feet are the way to move around Bates unless you have/ feel safe on a skateboard.
What's your major? Favorite professor?
I am a Biology Major. And it’s major fun! Except that right now I’m taking BioChem and it’s pretty hard. My teacher is the man, though. On the first day of class he told a student, “In your ID photo you look like you just came off a 24 hour bender. That’s ok. In mine I look like Charles Manson without the swastika”. But my favorite professor is Rebecca Sommer. She teaches me about pharmacology and toxicology. She is very down to earth.
What are your plans after college?
Right now I’m applying to veterinary schools. If I don’t get in this year I’ll just keep applying until I get in. The goal: Cutting up cats and giving shots to little innocent puppies. In all seriousness, I will be a good vet. Animals are the coolest and I will do my best to treat them right. I think they are so cool that I spent the whole summer as a zoo-keeper, picking up their dung, moving around 80lb tortoises, and getting scratched by monkeys.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life and/or running?
I have this boy friend….he’s kind of OCD about my running. He is my coach (aside from my real coach) and my best friend. Before I met him I liked running but enjoyed it as more of a leisure activity. He really made me love it. He stalks the entire New England Division III running community to find out what the other women are up to. It’s pretty convenient. I’ve always been competitive but he made me realize that you can’t just spill your guts out on race day. You need to do it everyday before that. Then you will be good.
On the day of a race, is there anything you do to mentally prepare yourself (i.e. pre-race routine, listen to music, read a book, etc.)?
Wake- up. Leave anonymous hotel room. Eat oatmeal with brown sugar or maple syrup (sometimes raisins if I’m feeling saucy). Get on bus. Go to meet. Watch people run. Warm up. Race. Cool down. Eat cookies.
I don’t really listen to music because I think it’s antisocial to put on headphones. I like to talk to my team. Once, I borrowed an I-pod and listened to CSNY-Southern Cross and I think it made me run more relaxed.
Does the women's team have any team bonding activities on the day of a race (i.e., gift exchange, motivational quotes, etc.)?
We have “locker buddies”. Like most women, we think that if we give each other candy bars and cheap necklaces we will run better. I think it’s an effective strategy. Usually, they are accompanied by a motivational quote. Last weekend I got a fluffy tiara and a magic wand (thanks Lisa).
What do you like the most about Bates College Cross Country?
I love my team. They are the coolest. They aren’t your standard runners at all. They come from all different places and do all different things. We have a lot of fun together.
What's the running environment like at Bates College? Where does the team train?
 (Photo courtesy of the Bates College Men's XC and Track & Field website)
I try to stay in Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary. It’s a bit of woods in Lewiston with about five miles of trails. I see the same trees almost everyday. The streets of Lewiston, ME are popular in the winter. They can be scary at night and I feel like a target in my reflective vest.
Any parting words for readers?
Running is the coolest and hardest sport you can do. I commend anyone who tries it. It takes guts to step outside your comfort zone. Those of us who do it daily- we are lifted above normal existence to something higher. Some people won’t ever do anything hard in their lives. You guys are better than that. Excuse my grammar throughout.
Thanks to Kathryn for a great interview.
post comment
Hailey Harren
3:58 PM, September 28, 2006
.. Posted by Anonymous
I didn't see a way to alert you guys of the following without posting a comment ...
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune ran a nice story about D3 defending champ Hailey Harren at:
http://www.startribune.com/503/story/703722.html
"Moore than a track star..."
3:28 PM, October 6, 2006
.. Posted by Anonymous
Basically Kmoore is amazing, end of story.
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