Senior Heros: Allison Hanby, Tupelo Christian

A: These past two weeks, I have done four speed workouts and have still run to obtain mileage, but I have also tried to incorporate some more strength training/cardio into my day. 

Q: What are you doing to stay busy other than run right now?

A: I have been getting my school work completed, walking my dog, cooking meals, and enjoying the extra time with my family. 

Q: What was your most memorable race/moment?

A: This is a hard one.....but it was probably in 11th grade when I won the 1A individual xc championships. That had been one of my goals since about 8th grade, and it was so satisfactory to finally have all that hard work pay off. Plus, our team also won that year, adding a big bonus to the situation. 

Q: What was the funniest thing that happened during your running career?

A: One of the funniest racing moments that I remember was when I got disqualified from the Brooks Florence Invitational in 8th grade due to making a wrong turn on the course. I also happened to lead my teammate Emma Woolhouse astray as well, and although I was super annoyed at the time, it's actually really funny now. 

Q: Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?

A: In my early career, I was always competing against Gracie Pipkin and R'Daztiny Harris of Hickory Flat and my own teammates Emma Woolhouse and sister Abby Hanby. As I became older, however, my competitors primarily consisted of Maggie Moody of Myrtle, Morgan Green of Hickory Flat, and my teammates Bella Claire Bresee and Sophie Santucci. 

Q: What was your greatest accomplishment?

A: I think that one of my greatest track accomplishments has probably been in the 800, as I have been the 800 meter champion from 7th-11th grade. And in cross country, I would say being the 1A individual champion in 2018 has been my greatest accomplishment. 

Q: If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?

A: I would have started using spikes at an earlier age (I didn't start until track season in 11th grade) and I would have incorporated a little more strength training. 

Q: What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?

A: In 8th grade at the state cross country meet, I had to crawl to the finish line because my body collapsed for some reason. Instead of finishing near the front like I was seeded, I finished in 12th. This really upset me because I had worked hard all season, and I was honestly really scared to race again out of fear that my body would collapse again. 

Q: What will you miss the most?

A: I will miss the feeling of accomplishment after finishing a difficult workout or pr'ing in a race, and I will even miss the pre-race nervous vibes that come each time I'm on the starting line. I will also definitely miss the team atmosphere, and I will especially miss running the 4x400 relay with my teammates, the highlight of track. 

Q: What advice would you give to younger athletes?

A: Don't be afraid to try running! It will be super hard at first (well, actually, it's never NOT hard......) but it's definitely worth it! It teaches you so much about discipline and determination that is helpful in all aspects of your life. Don't slack off on workouts, but also don't overwork yourself in trying to be like someone who has much more experience running. If you want to get better, you have to run on your own, and not only "in-season" or when you have scheduled practices 2-3 days each week. 

A: Coach Warnick has always pushed me to complete the workouts and to compete my very best, but he has also been like an understanding, compassionate father to me. I'm so grateful to have run under his coaching and to have experienced an example of someone who really loves his athletes even more than their sport or athletic ability. 

Q: What are your college plans?

A: I plan to attend the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg and am still open to ideas about what I would like to study. I plan to keeping running on my own but do not plan to compete in college. 

Q: Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?

A: I want to say thank you to my parents, sisters, teammates, coaches, and all of the other competitors whom I have raced against. You have all made me a better runner in ways that cannot be described in a short amount of words :) And thank you Milesplit for posting pictures of us at races and for posting articles that motivated me to be better!!

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

A: I can't believe that it is already over! I never thought that six years of running would go by so fast! Teammates, keep working hard! I'll be there to support as much as I can! And never forget to drop the hammer!! 

Q: Favorite Meal?

A: Definitely pasta, especially tortellini with alfredo sauce. Big shout out to Tellinis' chicken alfredo and bread sticks. 

Q: If you could be any animal what would you choose? and why?

A: I would be a hamster because they are really fluffy and they get to run around in their little wheel. And no one kills them to eat either :) 

Q: Your favorite superhero?

A: Jesus!!!