Consistency in training, with a desire to be your best, is usually a recipe for success in distance running. Kayla Beattie (Sr., Woodstock, IL) lives that philosophy every day and the results are turning out to be quite impressive.

Currently ranked US#1 for 3,200m with a 10:09.09 time at the Fox Valley Conference meet, along with a US#2 1,600m performance of 4:48.97 at the Woodstock Invitational, Beattie has evolved from a very good Midwest runner to one of the country's best. 

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Distance Gala (DG): Congratulations on a great start to your senior track season. You've seemed to take another big step forward since the cross country season. What type of training have you put in over the past handful of months?

Kayla Beattie (KB): During the fall, I felt like my workouts were going really well. I was consistently running times that should have translated to faster times in races. However, I was still learning how to train and how to race. Everything was a new experience for me.

Looking back, I approached the post-season cross country meets too timid and too doubtful of myself. So, during the winter, I focused on becoming more confident. My training didn’t change drastically. I continued with the normal progression I have made each consecutive season.

My coaches have always spoken of the importance of consistency to distance running. Stringing together several seasons of quality work will eventually bring huge gains. Between running more confidently, slightly raising my mileage, and building on the previous seasons’ work, I feel like now I’m realizing the benefits.   

DG: Looking forward, what are your expectations for the rest of the track season?

KB: I have four weeks until the Illinois State Track Meet. From now until then, I hope to get in some more quality training and then prepare to run well on the blue track at Eastern. I’m hoping to use the weekly invitationals to practice different racing strategies and work toward achieving my time goals. My coach, Matt McCulley, has designed a training schedule that will set me up to run my best in May. He understands my goals for the season and I know he believes in me. He is a major factor in my success. 

Since the Illinois state meet is relatively early, I plan on reevaluating my body and my fitness in May. I will then determine what post-season meets I want to compete in. As of now, I’m looking forward to a chance at racing some of the girls from Footlocker and NXN once again. 

DG: Consistency has been a key attribute over your high school career, always taking another step forward each season. What do you believe factors into your consistent improvement each year?

KB: Like I said earlier, my coaches preach the value of consistency. Since my freshman year, I have increased my mileage each season. Along with the increased volume, I have improved the quality of my running. The progression is translating to improvements on the track. Besides actually running, I am interested in learning more about the training process.

DG: Your first three years in high school you had a consistent training partner in your sister Elise. However, she graduated this past year and you've primarily been training on your own. What has that been like? Was it a big adjustment at first?

KB: I have been extremely fortunate in my four years at Woodstock. First off, I had my sister, Elise, to train with. It was nice having her to run with everyday. We were there to push each other in practices and also offer support.

In addition to Elise, my high school cross country and track teams are relatively small, so I have the opportunity to train with the boy’s team. I am very thankful they treat me as any other teammate and accept me on their road runs and track workouts. I credit a lot of my success to them, specifically Phil Meyer and JD Fuller. Our training regimens do not match up perfectly because we have different season calendars and different goals. So, I still do some runs and workouts solo. I don’t mind though. Running workouts by myself teaches me to learn my own pace and stay focused.

Over the winter, my coach was training for the Boston Marathon. From December to March, he was my main training partner. I’m very thankful he let me join him on his runs. It not only provided company, but it also offered the opportunity for him to get a better understanding of my running style, strengths, and weaknesses. (By the way, Coach McCulley finished 142^nd with a time of 2:34!!!)

DG: You've committed to the University of Iowa next fall. What were your key reasons on selecting Iowa?

KB: I knew I wanted to stay relatively close to home where the culture would be familiar and my parents could watch me run a few times during the season. Before I looked at cross country and track programs, I searched for academics. I want to major in pharmacy and Iowa has a really nice hospital right on campus.

When looking at Iowa’s running program, I feel like Coach Anderson and I will work well together. He is a very hands-on, involved coach who I feel will push me to be my best. I also think I will fit in well with the girls on the team. Since my visit, I have kept in contact with them and it just makes me more excited to get on campus and be a part of the Hawkeyes!

Quick Six (six quick questions, six quick responses)

DG: Favorite band?

KB: Jason Mraz

DG: Car you drive?

KB: My parent’s Ford Escape

DG: Shoes you train in?

KB: Saucony ProGrid Ride

DG: Favorite movie?

KB: Elf

DG: Favorite vacation spot?

KB: Sydney, Australia

DG: Favorite school topic?

KB: Anything math or science