XC Interview – Grace Gibbons, Gilbert HS
This interview features Grace Gibbons, junior, Gilbert High School, Gilbert, IA. Grace was 2nd (14:00) in the 2011 Iowa State 4A Cross Country State Championships. Her PR’s are 1500m (4:46.88), 3000m (10:28.47), and 4k XC (14:00).
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Athlete Name? Grace Gibbons
Year of Graduation? 2015
School? Gilbert High School, Gilbert, IA
How long have you been running, and how did you get started? I ran middle school cross country in 7th and 8th grade, but my main priority was still basketball at the time. I wasn't committed to it until I became a freshman and realized I was better at running than basketball; so I decided to stick with it!
Who’s been the greatest inspiration to you in your running career? I would have to say my greatest inspiration when it comes to running is Allie Vaughan. She was a senior at Dowling when I was a freshman there. When I joined the team in August she was one of the most welcoming. A lot changed in my life throughout my first cross country season. A lot of great things happened to me that I didn't know how to deal with. She aided in making those great things happen by creating such a great team atmosphere, and also by guiding me and making sure nothing went to my head. She always reminded me that running is a gift from God, and that every time I run I should run for God regardless of my time or place. This is something that really stuck with me, even through my failures. I'm so blessed to have been exposed to her great leadership and to have been apart of that team.
Cross country coach(es)? Laura Kautman
Key(s) to your training program? Listening to my body and responding accordingly if I don't feel 100%, and listening to my coach because she has a plan for me.
Goals for the upcoming season? I would love to win state as a team this year because I believe we have the potential. I think that winning as a team is one of the greatest achievements.
Running goals beyond HS? I'm pretty sure I want to run in college, but I haven't gotten that far yet. I just like to take it one day at a time.
Favorite cross country meet? State.
Favorite competitors in cross country? I'm very excited to run with Karissa Schweizer this year, because I miss her as a training partner since I transferred.
Favorite cross country memory? My first state cross country meet.
Favorite academic subject? Science.
Favorite activity besides running? Baking
Favorite quote? I have two favorite quotes: The first is 2 Timothy 4:7 - "I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith." And the second is a quote by Marianne Williamson - "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."