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An Interview with…Raymond Mion
by DP Daigle
Raymond is a senior at Saint Stanislaus in Bay St. Louis. He is a two time 4A All-State Selection in Cross Country. Raymond's career highlights in Track & Field include being the 4A Champion in the 1600M run in 2014 and 2015. In 2015 he was also runner-up in the 800M, he finished 3rd at the State Meet in the 800M in 2014.
DP: Raymond, I think people are dying to know, why do they call it college if it is a high school?
RM: At one point we did offer college degrees.
DP: What is your current Personal Record (Best Time)?
RM: I ran 17:19 at the St. Martin Invitational this year.
DP: What is the next goal or time that you are trying to hit?
RM: I'd like to break into the sixteens, I may have to be as fast as 16:39.0 to win our divisional meet.
DP: What is your favorite workout your Coach has you do?
RM: I like when we do 800 repeats.
DP: Seems like that could be a tough workout, why do you like it so much?
RM: The 800 is my favorite event in track season, so the workout is right up my alley.
DP: What is your least favorite workout?
RM: Honestly, I hate it when he tells us to take a day off.
DP: What are your plans after high school?
RM: I want to run at the next level. I've visited a few schools and am enjoying the process. I'm not sure where I'd like to run yet.
DP: What motivates you to run?
RM: That's a tough question, can I get back to you on that?
DP: Sure, so what do you think about when you're running?
RM: I just tell myself, "I can do it, I can do it, I can do it!"
DP: Do you have any superstitions on race day or perhaps an odd pre-race routine?
RM: I don't think so.
DP: Gatorade or Powerade?
RM: Gatorade, no doubt.
DP: Your Jersey, aka singlet, tucked or untucked?
RM: Tucked.
DP: Cross Country or Track? You have to choose.
RM: Track, sorry coach.
DP: Tell me about your experience the last two summers in Colorado with Training Peaks.
RM: Two years ago, I went with two teammates to Team Prep USA for 20 days. This past year I went for 42 days. It's high altitude training with Coach Sanderson, and he gets college coaches to come work with him on camps during the summer.
DP: What was the average day like there?
RM: Breakfast, 15 minute run -- classroom lecture then lunch. After lunch we have a lecture and another run for 35-45 minutes. We'd have dinner then one last lecture followed by activities and bed.
DP: Sounds very structured and serious, did you manage to have some fun?
RM: We were given free time, and it was cool to meet some of the campers from all over the world. I made friends from China, Hong Kong, Shanghai and all over the U.S.
DP: how many miles per week were you running up there?
RM: Probably between 50 and 60.
DP: How much tougher is it running in Colorado versus Mississippi?
RM: Altitude is killer. In MS, I could run an easy 6:40 mile. In Colorado, it was tough to maintain a 7 minute mile.
DP: Would you recommend other young runners go?
RM: Absolutely. It's a great experience and you are getting expert training and coaching from top levels. Be ready to work though!
DP: Gotcha, thanks for talking to us today Raymond.
RM: Yes sir, thank you. Go Rocks!