2004 FOOT LOCKER CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Post-race interview with Andy Biladeau

by Ricky Quintana

Andy Biladeau, a senior at Tampa Jesuit High School in Lutz, Florida, finished 29th at the 2004 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships in 16:16. He qualified for nationals by finishing fourth at the Foot Locker South Regional.

Andy Biladeau (Photo: Alison Wade/NYRR)

MensRacing.com: How did the race go for you?
Andy Biladeau: It was a challenge. It was an experience. The start was good. It got pretty narrow pretty quick. Everybody was kind of grooving for a little while, but it was tough. You really couldn't get a rhythm going because of all the turns, mounds, and moguls. Once we went up the hill the first time, I was feeling pretty good. But then on the second loop, I felt kind of drained out. I just kind of tried to hang on [during] the second loop.

MR: You looked pretty tired coming across the finish line.
AB: I was just tried to keep my head up and get to the finish, just maintain my form. It just wasn't there today. It's been a long season so I'm ready to take a break.

MR: Can you talk about just getting here and being one of the 40 best kids in the nation?
AB: That in itself is an accomplishment. You kind of like to have your best race here, but if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. You can't make a bad day change the way you look at running. You have to go out like it's a new day and have fun. Getting here was a dream of mine and I did it. I have to be happy with that.

MR: Last night, you had some problems with some noise in the hotel. Can you talk about that?
AB: They were having a big party downstairs. I just wanted to make sure and not leave anything to chance. I just switched rooms to get some sleep. It wasn't that big of a deal.

MR: Did you feel okay today, even though you had to make the move?
AB: I felt good. I'm just tired. The flight was tough. Adjusting to the time difference was a challenge. I just tried to do my best. That was fun.

MR: Looking back on the season, you met your goal. How do you feel about that?
AB: Being only one of two guys from Florida to go [to nationals] was really cool. I got to be one of those 40 guys. Somebody said only 30 guys in Florida have ever made it. That, for me, is really cool. It makes it all worthwhile, to get here.

(Interview conducted on December 11, 2004, and posted on December 16, 2004.)