- 1,600m 2014 Outdoor 4:13.19
- 3,200m 2014 Outdoor 9:03.07
- 5,000m 2014 Outdoor 14:50.02
- 800m 2014 Indoor 1:58.53
- One Mile 2013 Outdoor 4:17.40
Hudson Senior Kyle Mau has been to the OHSAA State XC meet three times. As a Freshman, he was 81st running 16:36.08, as a Sophomore, he was 23rd in 15:50.87 and as Junior he was third in 15:21.93. He is the leading D1 returner. Last spring, he was 2nd in the D1 3200 with a time of 9:03.07. As a Sophomore, he placed 6th in the D1 1600 with a 4:13.19. He is a versatile, "all-around" runner with 2014 goals that, if accomplished, just may establish him as one of Ohio's all time best middle distance/distance runners.
OhioMileSplit: Kyle. Thank you for your time. Let’s start with a review of last years’ D1 State 3,200 in which you ran 2nd to Chardon’s Nick Elswick. Elswick ran 9:02.41. You finished with a PR 9:03.07. Boardman’s Mark Hadley was 3rd in 9:06.33. You came out of the Nordonia District with a 9:07.14. Elswick came out of the Mentor District with a 9:04.25. Hadley came out of the Fitch District with a 9:18.32. The Bedford Regional was a preview of the State meet, less Toby Hardwick of Newark.
What were your expectations going into Regionals?
Kyle: My expectations heading into regionals was to finish within the top three and get a feel for how my strategy would work against Elswick and Hadley. I wanted to run a time consistent with my time at districts the week before (9:07). I didn’t want to exert too much effort since State is the week after. As long as I was comfortably in the top 3, I was fine with whatever happened.
OhioMileSplit: What was your Regional race plan?
Kyle: My original plan was to go with 300m left, like I was going to for State. I thought about it during the race and ended up making a move with 600m to go because I wanted to keep my strategy a secret from my competitors. I figured out that was too early for me to make a move and made changes for the State meet.
OhioMileSplit: You ran 2nd to Elswick at the Bedford Regional, running 9:03.28. Elswick ran one of the fastest times in Ohio history, 8:57.93. What were your thoughts about the Regional race?
Kyle: He ran an exceptional race and he deserved to come away with the win that day. Of course it never feels good to lose, but I know I needed to hold back a little bit in order to give myself a shot to win State. State is where I really wanted to win and run my pr.
OhioMileSplit: In my opinion, the State run was a classic, textbook race. The first two laps Elswick and yourself appeared to be patient, running in 2nd and 3rd. You were just behind him on his outside shoulder. Hadley took the lead going into the 3rd lap. You dropped back about 6 or 7 meters into 4th. Elswick took the lead going into the 4th lap and you tucked in behind him. Lap five stayed the same. On lap six, Hardwick moved up just behind you. On lap seven the three of you started to distance yourselves and going into the last lap, all three of you looked strong with Elswick leading. As you went into the last lap, what were your thoughts? Going into State, what were your expectations? What was your race strategy? Did the race unfold as you expected?
Kyle: As I was heading into the last lap I was content with my position in the race. I was right where I wanted to be, tucked behind Elswick’s shoulder. The race was a little slower than I expected it to be. I would’ve liked the race to be a little faster, but I was more concerned about going for the win. I planned on making a move with 100m to go. When the time came to make a move with 100m left I had too much ground to make up and not enough distance or time to do so. I overcompensated for what happened the week before. Looking back on it, I should’ve stuck to my original plan of making a move with 300m to go. My goal was to win, but obviously that didn’t happen. Thankfully I still have this year to accomplish my goal!
OhioMileSplit: Last fall, you were 3rd in the State D1 XC meet. At the mile you were back about 10m in 5th place, running with Twinsburg’s Garret Crichlow and Newark’s Toby Hardwick. Mark Hadley was leading and Evan Stifel of St. Xavier and Andrew Johnson of Olentangy Liberty followed him. As you came down the hill at about the 1 ¾ mile mark, Hadley had pressed to about a 15m lead over yourself, followed by Stifel. Hardwick was back about 20m with Michael Hall of St. Xavier. As you crossed the raceway and headed into the woods with just under one mile to go, what were your thoughts? When Hardwick passed you what were your thoughts and as you ran with him the last 300m what were your thoughts. What were your expectations going into the State meet, knowing that Elswick was still recovering from an injury? Did the race go as you anticipated?
Kyle: At the 2 mile mark I was feeling really good! I just made my move, taking off during the second mile and putting some space between Hall’s pack and myself. I didn’t expect to have 20m on them though. I thought they would stick with me for the most part. The last mile I raced as if the pack was right with me. I didn’t want to give up any ground. Going down the homestretch, I had no idea Hardwick was even close to me. When he passed me with less than 10m left, I had no time to react. He had an amazing kick. It takes some serious guts to kick like he did. Knowing Elswick was injured was a real disappointment. I felt bad he had his last cross country season injured. I would’ve loved to race against a healthy Elswick at State! I expected myself to place somewhere in the top 5, but I was shooting for top 3. I knew I had it in me. Overall, I was pretty happy with my performance. It set me up really well for track season and this cross country season!
OhioMileSplit: Before we talk about this XC season and the spring track season, lets’ go back a little. When did you first start running?
Kyle: I first started running in 7th grade! I tried to balance running and soccer for my middle school career, but I couldn’t do both. I ended up quitting soccer and pursuing running.
OhioMileSplit: Your father ran for Rocky River back in 1983. How did your father being a runner influence you to start running?
Kyle: Actually, he didn’t influence me at all. It was my choice to start running. He was almost certain I would join the soccer team. He was pleasantly surprised when I told him I was doing cross country.
OhioMileSplit: How much of an influence is your father today on your career thus far?
Kyle: He’s not too much of an influence. It’s nice having him for advice if I need it, but I’m my own separate runner from him. He does a good job at respecting that and letting me test out things for myself.
OhioMileSplit: How did your training go last summer? Did you run less or more miles than the summer before? How many miles were you putting in each week over the summer break? Were the miles just building a base for the fall or were you doing any type of interval and speed work
Kyle: My summer training went well this year! I maxed out at 60 miles this summer. It was 8 miles higher than last year’s max of 52 miles. I did a few tempo and longer interval workouts, but I haven’t done any speed work yet.
OhioMileSplit: Did you run any 5 or 10 K’s over the summer?
Kyle: No, I do not race at all over the summer. I did help put together a 2k and 5k run for cancer in honor of our coach, Coach Caplin, who has fought through the disease for 13 years. Sadly, he had to step down a couple weeks ago. Coach McConnell, our old assistant, is now our head coach.
OhioMileSplit: What is a typical week of workouts for you now? Monday through Friday with a meet on the Saturday?
Monday: I do a tempo/fartlek type of workout. E.g. 5 mile tempo, 8 mile fartlek, tempo mile repeats. 8 miles for the day with warm up and cool down.
Tuesday: Distance Run. 10 miles.
Wednesday: I usually do something like 6x1000s or 6x1200s at race pace with 1:1 rest at Hudson Springs Park. 7-9 miles total for the day with warm up and cool down.
Thursday: Distance Run. 10 miles.
Friday: Pre-meet. 3-5 miles with 6x100m strides.
Saturday: Race day.
Sunday: Off or light distance run depending on how I feel.
OhioMileSplit: Any speed work at this time, or just hard, pace runs, with speed work to come as we get nearer to the end of the season?
Kyle: No speed work as of now, but we’ll start doing some speed work later in the season!
OhioMileSplit: Do you visualize your races?
Kyle: Yes, I love to visualize my races. I’ll usually do so by listening to music on the bus ride down. It helps me calm down and get focused before a race.
OhioMileSplit: As the leading D1 boy’s returner, what are your expectations for this XC season?
Kyle: My goal and expectation is to win State this year. It won’t be easy with all the quality runners Ohio has, but I know I’m in the right place both physically and mentally to be able to win the State title.
OhioMileSplit: Do you prefer running on the track or XC?
Kyle: I prefer running track because it offers a variety of events. As much as I love the cross country 5k, I like being able to switch events weekly in track. I enjoy running both short and long distance races. Track gives me the opportunity to do both.
OhioMileSplit: What are your time goals and expectations for this spring?
Kyle: I’m really hoping to win a state title in the spring! I’m not sure which event(s) I’ll run at State yet though. I probably won’t decide until the later part of track season. My time goals for each track event are 400- below 50.0, 800- below 1:50, 1600- 4:05, 3200- 8:50, 5000- below 14:30.
OhioMileSplit: How would you describe yourself as a runner? How comfortable are you leading and setting the pace? Or would you rather sit back and see how the race develops before making a push to win?
Kyle: I would describe myself as an all-around runner. I run anything from the 400m to the 5k. I have a good mix of speed and endurance to allow me to do so. This enables me to change my strategy depending on whom I’m racing. I’m comfortable with sitting and kicking or setting the pace throughout the race. I like being able to change my race tactics because it makes it difficult for my competitors to figure out what I’m doing that day.
OhioMileSplit: Thanks Kyle. We are looking forward to watching you this XC season and in November and to the Indoor and Outdoor track seasons.