What does it take to be a State Champion? That is a question I had been asking, but it was answered when I was able to shadow Addie Moore throughout the days leading up to her breathtaking Cross County Championship performance on a dreary Saturday back on October 28th. 

There’s a lot of intent and many calculated decisions that go into her performance. This sport puts a lot of stress on the body so she finds it essential to perform corrective work such as stretching, ice baths, and chiropractor work. Once she has a flare-up, she will take the necessary precautions to get back to tip-top shape. This process is time-consuming but necessary to run fast times.  

The Thursday before the race was a light-speed workout. Utilizing this workout to get the legs moving and prepared for the State Meet. This workout consists of 8x200s starting at 35-33 seconds with a 100 jog in between. It should feel easy and she makes it look just that.

Head Coach Adam Swingle has served as an inspiration and motivator for Addie. He has continuously voiced his support for her and everything she does with cross country.

This means a lot to Addie to know that she has support. She states – 

“Coach Swingle is an inspiration and pushes me to my full potential.” He is extremely supportive and makes every one of his athletes strive to be their best! Just by the constant encouragement he feeds to his athletes”.

Along with motivational fuel from coaching, Addie makes sure to fuel herself with the needed nutrients for recovery and performance. Pasta and electrolytes are staples before big races.

Being the best doesn’t mean that things come easy. Addie shares her thoughts on how she was feeling before this huge race. She states – 

“I honestly wasn’t so sure on how I was going to perform. I decided the Wednesday before I was going to put this race in God’s hands and give all the glory to Him. I knew that if I kept working hard and building that foundation; I could position myself to perform at my best. Knowing fully that my training has prepared me for this moment.”

This being her fourth attempt, she put it all on the line and trusted God’s plan. She shares that her theme for this year was Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Proving to those that she belongs here and that with Christ all things are possible. In running all you need to do is focus on things in your control; leaving the rest to God.

The state race takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park; this is not a fast course either, filled with countless switch-backs and long hills. During the race it was rainy which doesn’t provide the best race conditions, however, Addie adds

“It was a type of mist during the actual race which was the cherry on the top in my opinion, I thrive in the rain!” 

Addie goes on to break down the steps of race, stating – 

“The race was very difficult. Right in the beginning one of the girls started pulling away. I kept calm; gradually working my way back up to the leaders. After that it was a pack of three working together and most importantly pushing each other in hopes to gain the lead. One of my dear friends Chesney McPherson moved up in the race catching up to the lead pack. It was a battle! We were down to the last 400 meters still in our pack. It started stringing out and I was feeling it, but all that was left was a 400. I do this all the time in practice. I started sprinting. I gave everything sprinting to the finish. This move helped me gain the lead. Throughout this whole race God was with me; He was there pushing me and helping me find the strength to finish though I was doubting myself every step of the race”.