It's no wonder that Pentucket junior Alanna Poretta enjoys the summer so much.
Competing for the Lynx Elite Athletics running club, Poretta was recently part of a 22-year meet record at the Lynn Woods Relay for the second straight year. In 2007, she joined Danny Wang, Eric McDonald and Keely Maguire to set a coed team record and this year she joined April O'Brien, Alison Travers and Alicia Fannon to set a high school girls record.
The local foursome ran the 4x2.5-mile relay in 64:49.
Poretta is coming off a spring season in which she set a 24-year-old school record in the mile when she ran 5:03.51 while finishing third at the All-State Meet and, in the fall, she was ninth at the Division 2 All-State cross country meet. Lynx Elite coach Mick Grant believes the future will be even better.
"Alanna is on a similar path as (UNH-bound) Keely (Maguire)," said Grant. "Her times are about the same at the same age and her summer training is about the same. As long as she enjoys what she does and stays healthy and focused, she will be a sub-5 minute miler soon."
We caught up with Poretta between workouts to go Around the Horn.
Which Lynn Woods Relay did you get more satisfaction from?
"They were both good, but they were different. If I had to pick, it was really neat getting the girls record."
You were the leadoff leg. Did you like leading off, or would you have preferred going last?
"My favorite leg is the last leg, with the pressure on, but I like the first leg, too. With everyone going out together, it's like a real race."
As a runner, do you enjoy the summer more — with more training and fewer races — or the high school season, when there is more competition?
"I like the summer more. It's relaxing, you get in a lot of mileage and it can be a lot of fun."
How many miles have you been running this summer?
"The last couple of weeks (before high school practice), I got in about 50 miles per week."
Having enjoyed success in both cross country and track, which sport do you enjoy more?
"I think I like cross country more because there are more courses and there is more variety to it. It's just more fun."
Are there any other runners you've trained with you particularly admire and would like to emulate?
"Keely Maguire is such an amazing runner, I'd like to be like her. I've learned a lot by running with her. Also, (Haverhill's) Keara Thomas — she's great to run with."
Did you watch much of the Olympics, and did it motivate you at all?
"I watched a lot of the races, as much as I could. It was really interesting. I hope to be in it some day. At least, that's one of my biggest dreams."
As a three-season runner, do you ever get tired of running, burned out?
"I really, really enjoy running and I hardly ever get tired of it. I don't usually like to take days off, but I know it's good to do sometimes."
Is there anything you like to do to get pumped up before a race?
"During track, I like to give pep talks to other girls on the team. That fires me up."
What's your favorite sport to watch as a spectator?
"I really like to watch baseball. I'm a big Sox fan."
It's favorite time — TV show, movie, class in school, food — and who do you favor for president?
"'One Tree House,' 'P.S. I Love You,' science, pizza and I'd probably have to vote for John McCain, although I really haven't thought it through much."
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