Have you heard the name Elise Cranny yet? If you haven’t, don’t worry, the 17-year old running phenom from Niwot, Colorado will be taking on the running world for years and years to come.
Cranny, a high school senior, is the nation’s top college prospect in her respective distance specialties: the mile and 1,500m. Palo Alto Online recently posted about Cranny’s acceptance of recruitment to the 2018 class of Stanford. Regardless of where Cranny will go, it’s clear that her Colorado roots have taught her a thing or two about running. Her third-place 4:15:07 in the 1,500m at the 2013 Payton Jordan Invitational while running against professional and collegiate runners alike stands No. 3 on the all-time high school list, behind only those produced by Mary Cain and Jordan Hasay. It’s also equivalent to a 4:35.48 mile, which makes her the No. 1 high school runner in the nation at that distance.
Read on to find out what makes this young, up-and-coming runner tick, including her weekly workout regimens, off season tricks to stay in shape, and her favorite bar (you’ll be surprised!).
Quick Stats
Name: Elise Cranny
Age: 17
Hometown and Current: Niwot, Colorado
Professional and Educational Background: Senior at Niwot High School
Sports participated in: Cross country, swimming, track and field
Years in current sport: Four
The Long Run
What are some of the biggest highlights in your racing career?
I have had three highlights in my racing career:
1) Winning Colorado 4A Track and Field Team Championship in 2013 – This was a special moment because it was the first track and field team championship for Niwot High School. It was great to share that experience with amazing teammates.
2) Winning New Balance Indoor Nationals in the mile in 2013 – This was such a fun race. It was my first time to The Armory and my first time to New York. There was so much excitement on the indoor track and it was not like any race I had run before. It was an unexpected win and I ran an 18 second PR.
3) Winning my first individual cross country state in 2012 – This was a really fun race. I ran against Katie Rainsberger. Towards the end of the race I had fallen back, but when I entered the stadium Katie was closer than I thought. I told myself I had to go for it and caught her right at the line. Only 0.1 seconds separated the two of us. This race was a great learning experience for me. It taught me to never give up.
What are your long-term goals? What do you want to achieve as an athlete?
My long-term goals are:
1) Have a successful college career and win both an NCAA individual and team championship.
2) Become a professional runner.
3) Participate in the Olympics.
Why Colorado? What makes Colorado so special for endurance athletes? What makes Colorado special to YOU?
Colorado is special for endurance athletes because it has unbelievable weather, active communities, beautiful trails, and it provides great altitude training. I was born and raised in Colorado and I love it. I believe there is an advantage to training at altitude and then racing at sea level. The running community in Colorado is unique and supportive. It is awesome to be surrounded by friendly people who enjoy running and being outdoors.
Middle Distance
Take us through a “day in the life,” what type of training regimen do you follow?
During the track and cross country season, I run six days a week after school. The typical training week consists of one long run, two key workouts, and three recovery runs. Average weekly mileage ranges from 35 to 40 miles. During the off-season, I swim four to five days a week and run six days a week. During this time, I focus on hills and strength building.
What are one or two things you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?
Two things I currently do that are keys to my success:
1) I swim during the summer and winter. This is a key to my success because swimming provides great cardiovascular strength without all the pounding of running. Swimming allows me to run a little less during the off-season and I enjoy it.
2) Rest is another key to my success. Running six days a week gives me a full day to rest and prepare for the next week. This rest allows me to have more consistent, high quality workouts each week.
Do you follow any specific nutrition plans? What are you favorite recovery meals, drinks, etc.?
I love chocolate milk! I don’t follow any specific nutrition plan, but I do choose to eat very healthy. I eat a lot of fruit, vegetables, and red meat. I also love panda puff cereal and granola.
Do you have any recommended resources to share (books, seminars, websites, coaches)?
I do not have any books, seminars, or websites to recommend regarding running. However, I recommend that runners find a coach they trust and respect: then follow the coach’s program. Trust and open communication are keys to a successful season.
What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
My biggest challenge is reminding myself that more is not necessarily better. Sometimes it is difficult to hear about others doing high mileage and high intensity, when I tend to run lower volume. I also have to remind myself that a successful running career is a long-term process. My coach, Jason Hartmann, provides a constant reminder that patience and consistency are the keys to success.
What are your favorite races in Colorado?
My favorite races in Colorado are:
Track: The Boulder County Invite – great competition, well-organized event, tons of local support. It is also a great opportunity to run with friends from Lyons, Boulder, Fairview and Monarch high schools: Erin Mclaughlin, Claire Greene, Elissa Mann, Karina Mann, Miriam Roberts and Isabelle Kennedy.
Cross Country: Northern Conference Championships – this meet is friendly and small and it provides a great opportunity to interact with and meet other high school runners.
Where do you like to train in Colorado?
My two favorite places to train are the Boulder Reservoir and Betasso Canyon. The reservoir is always full of runners from many different places. Many professional athletes and the CU cross country team train here. The reservoir also provides an awesome five-mile loop. I love Betasso because it is hilly, quiet, and has beautiful scenery.
Sprints
Favorite running shoe: Training-Mizuno Wave Rider Racing-New Balance racing spikes
Favorite post-run beverage: Chocolate Milk
Favorite post-run meal: Pasta with Marinara
Role Models: Jenny Simpson, Jason Hartmann, Kara Goucher, Melody Fairchild
Day Job: High School
Solo running during the off-season. Team running during track and cross-country. I love running with my teammates because the run goes much faster.
Favorite Restaurant: Bacco Italian Restaurant in North Boulder, Urban Thai in Prospect, and Chipotle
Favorite Bar: I am too young to drink so my favorite bar would have to be a Chocolate Chip Clif Bar. Haha!
Favorite Running Store: Boulder Running Company
Favorite non-running activity: Cooking
Favorite TV Show: Chopped on Food Network
Favorite Book: Their Eyes Were Watching God and Heaven is for Real
Favorite Movie: Safe Haven
Podium
Have you experienced a breakthrough, and if so, what led to it?
My breakthrough was winning the mile at New Balance Indoor Nationals. This breakthrough happened as a result of consistent training and confidence.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Be patient and enjoy the process.
Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by? That you train by?
“When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will be successful.”
What keeps you motivated? Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I am motivated by my personal goal to be the best that I can be. I draw inspiration from God. I believe that God blessed me with the ability to run and I want to use that gift to the best of my ability.
Photos are courtesy of Alan Versaw at Colorado MileSplit.