Division 3 Spotlight: Randelle Boots
Division 3 Spotlight: Randelle Boots
This is the first edition of a series of D3 interviews, featuring some Q&A with Wellesley sophomore Randelle Boots. Boots had a stellar freshman campaign—third indoors in the mile and a qualifier for the outdoor 1500—and her success continued into this year’s cross country season, where she finished 25th. Now she is the newly crowned mile champion and sixth fastest all-time in the indoor mile (4:49.22), and she’s looking to solidify her place as one of the best D3 mid-distance runners of all time.
How and when did you start running?
I ran cross-country all through high school, beginning with freshman year, and I started running track during my first year at Wellesley. In high school I played basketball and lacrosse during the winter and spring seasons.
How did you end up at Wellesley?
When I was looking at colleges my mom really wanted me to look at Wellesley, and somewhere along the line I filled out a form indicating that I was interested in the cross-country program here. John, my coach at Wellesley, contacted me and encouraged me to visit Wellesley and meet the team. I stayed over twice, with two different team members, and I ended up really liking the team and the school.
It looked like you started off your outdoor season pretty well last weekend (4:38.03 and 2:20.59 double)—are there any upcoming races you’re focusing on?
Right now I'm just trying to get as fast as I possibly can. I'd like to automatically qualify for nationals, and ideally I will run in the low 4:20's (or even break 4:20) in the 1500. There isn't any specific race that I am focusing on, aside from nationals.
You’re only a sophomore, but already a national champion and sixth fastest all-time in the indoor mile—any thoughts about future NCAA goals? Would you consider doubling this outdoor season or sometime in the future (and if so, what other event)? Or are you more interested in setting records in the mile/1500?
I'd like to win the NCAA Championship mile and 1500 for the next few years, and hopefully I'll be able to break the NCAA DIII record in both events (The records are 4:43.92 and 4:15.20). I plan on doubling at the National Championship at some point, but it might have to wait a year. I would probably make the 800 my second event
[Wellesley sophomore] Leah Clement [AA in the 800, 8th fastest all-time indoors with a personal best of 2:10.18] also had an outstanding indoor season—do the two of you train together often, and (if so) how much do you think it helps to have a top-notch teammate as a training partner?
Yes, Leah did have an excellent season, and we are all very proud of her accomplishments! When it comes to track workouts, the whole team trains together, but we break into groups depending on our individual goals for the workout and how each person is feeling that day. As for distance runs, we all have our preferred routes and ideal distances, and we run accordingly. Leah and I train well together, and we are lucky to have each other as training partners, but our other teammates are just as important to our success.
What’s a typical week of training for you?
I usually do a long run of 10-14 miles on Sunday, followed by a 7-8 mile run on Monday, and a track workout on Tuesday (or hills if it's cross-country season). On Wednesday I either take the day off, or I run a limited distance. Thursday is usually a scaled down workout, or a short distance run with a few 200's or 400's. Friday is basically a glorified warm-up, (I usually run 3 miles at the most,) and Saturday is race day! I also go to the weight room and do ab work a few times each week.
Do you have any pre-race traditions or anything like that?
I don't really have any traditions, but I have a routine warm-up which consists of a 15 minute jog, followed by our "dynamic warm-up." Then I usually get into my spikes, do a few strides, and I'm ready to go!
I used to have a "lucky" headband, but it broke just before my 1500 semi-final race last year at outdoor nationals. I ended up falling in the last lap of that race, and I didn't qualify for the final race. Of course the fall wasn't at all related to the broken headband, but I haven't tried to adopt any other tradition or good luck charm since; I'd rather just rely on my training and racing mindset!
Do you see yourself continuing to run post-collegiately?
Absolutely! I love running, and I love to compete. I'm also pretty new to running track and I'm excited to see how far I can go with it.
So that’s Randelle Boots, your prohibitive favorite for the 1500. Definitely a class act, and it will be very exciting to see what she can do this season and beyond.
Anyway, keep an eye out for future athlete spotlights—I have upcoming interviews with Ben Scheetz of Amherst and (possibly) Mike Spain of North Central, indoor champions in the 800 and 5k, respectively. And, of course, I appreciate suggestions for other interviewees.
How and when did you start running?
I ran cross-country all through high school, beginning with freshman year, and I started running track during my first year at Wellesley. In high school I played basketball and lacrosse during the winter and spring seasons.
How did you end up at Wellesley?
When I was looking at colleges my mom really wanted me to look at Wellesley, and somewhere along the line I filled out a form indicating that I was interested in the cross-country program here. John, my coach at Wellesley, contacted me and encouraged me to visit Wellesley and meet the team. I stayed over twice, with two different team members, and I ended up really liking the team and the school.
It looked like you started off your outdoor season pretty well last weekend (4:38.03 and 2:20.59 double)—are there any upcoming races you’re focusing on?
Right now I'm just trying to get as fast as I possibly can. I'd like to automatically qualify for nationals, and ideally I will run in the low 4:20's (or even break 4:20) in the 1500. There isn't any specific race that I am focusing on, aside from nationals.
You’re only a sophomore, but already a national champion and sixth fastest all-time in the indoor mile—any thoughts about future NCAA goals? Would you consider doubling this outdoor season or sometime in the future (and if so, what other event)? Or are you more interested in setting records in the mile/1500?
I'd like to win the NCAA Championship mile and 1500 for the next few years, and hopefully I'll be able to break the NCAA DIII record in both events (The records are 4:43.92 and 4:15.20). I plan on doubling at the National Championship at some point, but it might have to wait a year. I would probably make the 800 my second event
[Wellesley sophomore] Leah Clement [AA in the 800, 8th fastest all-time indoors with a personal best of 2:10.18] also had an outstanding indoor season—do the two of you train together often, and (if so) how much do you think it helps to have a top-notch teammate as a training partner?
Yes, Leah did have an excellent season, and we are all very proud of her accomplishments! When it comes to track workouts, the whole team trains together, but we break into groups depending on our individual goals for the workout and how each person is feeling that day. As for distance runs, we all have our preferred routes and ideal distances, and we run accordingly. Leah and I train well together, and we are lucky to have each other as training partners, but our other teammates are just as important to our success.
What’s a typical week of training for you?
I usually do a long run of 10-14 miles on Sunday, followed by a 7-8 mile run on Monday, and a track workout on Tuesday (or hills if it's cross-country season). On Wednesday I either take the day off, or I run a limited distance. Thursday is usually a scaled down workout, or a short distance run with a few 200's or 400's. Friday is basically a glorified warm-up, (I usually run 3 miles at the most,) and Saturday is race day! I also go to the weight room and do ab work a few times each week.
Do you have any pre-race traditions or anything like that?
I don't really have any traditions, but I have a routine warm-up which consists of a 15 minute jog, followed by our "dynamic warm-up." Then I usually get into my spikes, do a few strides, and I'm ready to go!
I used to have a "lucky" headband, but it broke just before my 1500 semi-final race last year at outdoor nationals. I ended up falling in the last lap of that race, and I didn't qualify for the final race. Of course the fall wasn't at all related to the broken headband, but I haven't tried to adopt any other tradition or good luck charm since; I'd rather just rely on my training and racing mindset!
Do you see yourself continuing to run post-collegiately?
Absolutely! I love running, and I love to compete. I'm also pretty new to running track and I'm excited to see how far I can go with it.
So that’s Randelle Boots, your prohibitive favorite for the 1500. Definitely a class act, and it will be very exciting to see what she can do this season and beyond.
Anyway, keep an eye out for future athlete spotlights—I have upcoming interviews with Ben Scheetz of Amherst and (possibly) Mike Spain of North Central, indoor champions in the 800 and 5k, respectively. And, of course, I appreciate suggestions for other interviewees.