-Athlete Name: Danielle (Dani) Blum
-School: Northmor
-Year of Graduation: 2013
-Best time in a 5K race and in which meet:
19:40 Watkins Memorial McGowan Invitational last season
-Tell us how your summer training is going?
Very well. I am up to 50/60 mile weeks and have no major injuries. Just a few blisters that are on the mend.
-What are your goals for the upcoming season?
My main goal is to beat my school's 5k record of 19:38. My secondary goal is to make podium at state, but I will settle for just being All Ohio one more time, and lastly I would like to break into the 18's for a 5k.
-How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I started in seventh grade so this is my sixth year. My older sister ran so I thought it was what the cool people did and ended up being decent at it.
-Will you be competing anywhere out of state this season?
I do not believe so. If I can make it to either the Foot Locker or Nike finals that would be amazing. We'll just have to see.
-What is your favorite course to run in Ohio?
So far it's either Galion, Watkins, or Buckeye Central. Galion and Watkins because they are good courses, and Buckeye Central because it's always a mud pit and so much fun!
-What is the toughest course to run in Ohio?
Regionals at Pickerington North Because it is usually wet and muddy, but in a good way, and even if it isn't it is still a challenging course because of the competition, footing, and steep hills.
-What meet during the regular season do you put extra emphasize on to compete well at?
The Northmor Invitational because it's my last year and a very good runner (Emily Roberts from Fredericktown) is going to make it very difficult for me to get the 1st place medal on my last time at my home course.
-What is your favorite cross country race so far in your high school career?
Buckeye Central 2011 because it was so much fun, and I didn't have any pressure on me, I just got to have a good time and enjoy doing the sport I love.
-Favorite cross country memory?
My friend Kristen Peters face planting during maintence runs every three minutes. No joke.
-When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
I enjoy reading and watching movies. I hangout with my friends, watch some Youtube videos. Normal things.
-Favorite quote?
"Seek no shortcut; Avoid no challenge."
-What's on your Ipod when you go out for runs?
I have it on shuffle mode and listen to pretty much every genre so yeah...
-What professional athlete would you most like to meet?
She is not a professional athlete yet, but I would like to meet Jordan Hasay. At a camp I went to we had a Skype session with her and I just want to meet the actual person behind the runner.