(December 14, 2012) — Senior Erin Quiambao has been running ever since freshman year. Although she has been running cross country and track for years, her interest in the sport goes back to when she was younger. “I did play a little basketball when I was younger. I didn’t enjoy it too much cause I wasn’t very good, so I tried running,” Quiambao said.

“My church had track tournaments, and I was considered good, so I joined track.” “When I run, I just feel relaxed and like life is good,” Quiambao said. “I don’t have to worry about anything except moving my body, and my friends and I always have fun running with each other.” Quiambao runs cross country and track for the Crescenta Valley High School varsity cross country team.

“Varsity is only the fastest seven runners on the team, so we all have to run as close as possible together to get the best score,” she said. Quiambao said she enjoys running for school as well as with friends. “My favorite part is being with my friends while being productive, athletic and getting stronger,” she said. “Cross country and track are absolutely my favorite sports! I work hard in each and I guess you could say it’s one of my passions.” Quiambao’s passion for cross country and track has caused her some injuries in the past.

“I’ve had several injuries over four years, but the one that probably affected me the most was when I was very slightly tore my MCL [Medial Collateral Ligament],” she said. “I was told not to run for about a month, but I ended up running again after about a week and a half.” Although she has yet to come in first place, all her hard work has brought her close. “I’ve never won, but I did come second in a race before,” she said.

“It felt pretty good cause my only goal for that day was to make sure I beat this one girl from Burbank, but I ended up being so far ahead of her; she finished almost three minutes after I did!” Quiambao is ranked among the top ten in varsity, and has received a plaque for “most improved.” “The first race of the season I ran 22:53,” she said in an electronic message interview.

“The first league meet against Arcadia, Glendale, Hoover, etc. I ran 22:16. And my personal record for the season was at another league meet with 20:32, so I got [much] faster over the season.” Quiambao practices 2–2½ hours every day, 6 days a week. “We have two main types of practices, the ‘tempo’ or ‘speed play’ days and the long run days,” she said. “Long run days are days where we go for a long run, about 8-10 miles, and the tempo days are the harder workouts, not as much mileage but harder and faster.”

Despite her practice schedule, Quiambao is able to balance her schoolwork and extracurricular activities. “Because practice starts at 2, we usually end by 4:30, so I’m home before 5,” she said. “That pretty much gives me enough time for all my homework.” School is also important to Quiambao. “UCLA is my dream school, and I really want to go to UCI, but I don’t know if I’m fast enough to run for those schools,” she said.