A perfect storm may just be brewing in the Florida Keys.
Last season’s male and female cross country athletes of the year are returning to the course this year, and despite how effortless Ali Wheatley and Lucian Burns make it look, the sport is far more challenging than it seems.
Running standouts almost always fit a mold. They are hard-working perfectionists who excel in all they do, whether in the classroom or outside putting in miles in 90-degree heat. Nobody outworks a cross country star.
Wheatley, a Coral Shores junior chasing down the all-time school record, and Burns, a Marathon sophomore with speed to spare, fit this mold to a T. And both are motivated by the same thing: competition.
“What motivates me is thinking of beating the person in front of me and not having to say ‘what if’ at the end of the race if I didn’t push,” said Burns.
Likewise, Wheatley loves a good challenge. “I really like to race,” she said, also expressing gratitude that she has had a chance to be pushed by some of the finest competition in Florida.
Both champs agree that heat plays a major factor in their times, noting that an unseasonably cool day or some well-timed cloud cover can yield a coveted PR, something Wheatley and Burns are actively seeking.
“This season I am focused on running a time under 19 minutes, and earning a medal at the regional race,” Wheatley said.
Burns, too, is looking to break a minute barrier this season. “I’m chasing to break 16 in the 5K and in the future, win first at states in the 3200 in track,” he said.
But he’ll have to finish the season healthy in order to achieve those goals. Though it is not unlike Burns to slip off a protective boot to run a race with a questionable injury when it’s all on the line, he is doing everything in his power this season to toe the line at states injury-free. This offseason, he’s added strength training, stretching and more intense warmups in hopes of putting his best foot forward at states.
While most Keys kids were lounging around the sandbar this summer, Wheatley headed for considerably higher ground. She attended Smoky Mountain Running Camp in Asheville, North Carolina, where she worked on hill training, something not particularly easy to come by in the Florida Keys and something that will serve her well on the state course in Tallahassee. She also picked up speed and efficiency drills that she is excited to share with her team.
Despite the individual nature of cross country, it is a team sport, too, and that is not lost on either Wheatley or Burns. Wheatley’s standout career with the ’Canes is highlighted, in her opinion, by her team’s achievements.
“The best thing that happened last season was our team getting to regionals,” she said. “It was so amazing to see all the hard work me and my teammates had put in all season come together as we were able to represent our school on a higher level. Everyone ran really well at districts, which was also one of my best races last season.”
And though she does have high hopes to be a state contender this season, she added, “On top of that, it is really important to me to be the best teammate I can be and support everyone as much as I can.“
Burns also added his teammates to his season goals. He hopes to stand out at the invitationals this season, but also looks ahead to the spring, when he is excited about anchoring the Dolphin 4×800 relay team, which he hopes will outpace the entire region this year.
And while there is no doubt Wheatley and Burns have the chops to stand out in Tallahassee this fall, both believe in their teams and know they also have the potential to go far. But it’s not going to be easy.
“They will have to understand it will be hard; it will not always be fun. And if you want to be a champion you have to do what no one else will and knowing that will make us successful,” said Burns.
Wheatley had similar sentiments.
“It’s been said that miles in the summer turn into minutes in the fall,” she said.
If Wheatley and Burns are right, plenty of summer miles have already been banked. Now, with two of the Keys’ best runners returning faster, stronger and hungry for more, the perfect storm may be ready to break.
