We caught up with the World Youth team member, and OFSAA silver medalist in the Junior Boys division last season recently to talk about the upcoming cross country season and his future in running.

Interview conducted by RunnerSpace.com/OFSAA correspondant Kaeden Walls. 

KW: World youths was a big event there must have been a lot of nerves, how will that experience help you control your nerves for big races?

RS: It helps alot because it gives you experience with alot of nerves and stuff like that. I felt that i handled it well over there, so i should be able to handle races with lots of pressure here now as well.

KW: Moving up to the senior division will be a tough jump, are you changing your training schedule to adapt to the longer 7k run?

RS: I don't expect training to change too much from last year. Just maybe a liitle more volume in terms of workouts and long runs.

KW: going into grade 11, what does the future hold for you in terms of running?

RS: I still have a couple more years of high school running of course. I plan on just taking it one season at a time, and focusing on running well in those seasons to hopefully attract interest from universities.

KW: Superstition is a big factor with some athletes, are there any lucky charms you wear during your race, or even a pre-race ritual?

RS: The only thing I do is make sure i have a peanut butter and jam sandwich on race day.

KW: You've had some close races with a few kids, is there one guy you would say is your biggest rival?

RS: Not really, there are so many good runners that I have raced against that I can never focus on beating just one.

KW: What would you say is your biggest weakness? and what have you been doing to improve on it

RS: Definetly my speed. It has improved though this year. I think lengthening my track season helped this year. Last year my season eneded after ofsaa, this year it went all the way to early august. Also I think adding drills after easy runs has helped as well.

KW: You've had a lot of success at ofsaa and various meets, do you feel that’s going to continue moving up to the senior level?

RS: I think as long as I continue to stay focused, and work hard it should.

KW: Being a first year senior, what do you think is going to be the toughest thing to adapt to?

RS: Running against a lot deeper fields. I think that having a good day, or a bad day will be the difference beetween a couple places since the fields will be more experienced and much deeper than when there is only one age group running.

KW: Is there a workout that makes you feel like you're ready for race day, even if it is a few days before?

RS: There isn't realy a specififc workout that gives me that feeling.                      

 Consistently running good workouts throughout the season gives me confidence going 

into a big race.

KW: Most runners have a pump up playlist on their ipod, what song really gets you ready for you race?

RS: Spacebound by Eminem.

KW: Goals for the upcoming season?

RS: Just to work hard in training and get myseslf in good shape, and get myself ready mentally as well. I know if I can do that I should be satisfied with my performances in big races.

KW: Thanks for taking the time to do this Ryan, good luck in the upcoming season!