Faces off the field: Noah Wood, junior sprinter, Lake Travis
All about Noah
Do you have plans after you graduate?
I plan to go to the University of Texas, and I'm hoping to major in computer science. I haven't decided if I'm going to run in college yet. Even if I don't end up running directly for the school, I'll try to find a running club.
Past or present, if you could see any concert, whom would you see?
I'd probably see the Beatles or a classic band like that.
Why the Beatles?
It would probably be an experience that you wouldn't see today. Everything has changed so much.
What has been your favorite vacation?
Our family went to Belize about four years ago. We got see the beaches and nearby islands. We'd walk around and see what life was like for the workers. I actually saw someone making peanut butter.
Winning Relays gold
You ran the first leg for Lake Travis' 3,200-meter relay team that won the Texas Relays. Coolest part about that?
It was seeing (anchor leg) Ben (Wright) throw his arms up in excitement when he crossed the finish line. It made me feel what we all accomplished by winning the race. I went in there thinking we would be able to place. I didn't know if we could win, but I knew it was possible.
Do you feel pressure running the first leg of the race?
Not necessarily. I don't think it's pressure. I feel like I owe it to my team to put us in good position. It's prideful.
The running life
How did you start running competitively?
It started when I was in the seventh grade. My friend wanted to join cross-country, and I thought it sounded fun. Our little group of friends joined in seventh grade, and I haven't stopped since then. It's a way to connect with all my friends.
What do you like most about running?
It's a way for me to disconnect from the schoolwork that drives my life. It helps me relax and stay focused on everything.
Do you have any prerace rituals?
I always eat a carb-heavy dinner with maybe a baked potato or some pasta. The day of the race I like to say a prayer to myself before I run. I like to stay quiet and get my focus on the race maybe 30 minutes before we run.
Dream dinner
If you could have dinner with four people in the history of the world, who would they be?
I'd have (retired middle distance runner) Nick Symmonds, Usain Bolt, Steve Jobs and one of my teachers, Mr. (Jeff) Christensen.
Usain Bolt and Steve Jobs are an interesting combination. What do you think you'd learn from them?
The most interesting thing I'd like to hear from them is what drives them. How did they get their work ethic? Something about their training programs on how to get better.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Faces off the field: Meet Noah Wood, junior sprinter at Lake Travis
