Seven Questions with Stephen Payne
10/28/2008 12:00:00 AM
Oct. 28, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Rolltide.com and the Alabama men's cross country team have started a new weekly segment called Seven Questions. Select players and coaches will check in weekly on Rolltide.com and answer questions pertaining to things on and off the field. The ninth edition features freshman Stephen Payne.
Rolltide.com: When and why did you start running?
Stephen Payne: I started running in the 7th grade because most of my friends were doing it, and I had always done well in the PE mile.
Rolltide.com: What are your personal goals and what are the team goals for the season? Running career goals for college and further?
Payne: My personal goal is to be a top-7 runner and travel to nationals. As for the team, our goal is to win both the SEC and NCAA Championship.
Rolltide.com: What's your favorite race and why?
Payne: I like the 3k because it is a good mix of speed and endurance.
Rolltide.com: Why did you choose to come to The University of Alabama?
Payne: I really don't know. It was the first place I visited, and I like to make quick decisions. I knew God would have a plan for me wherever I attended school.
Rolltide.com: Other than running, what Olympic sport would you want to compete in and why?
Payne: Table-tennis. My roommate and I have played for longer than I can remember. (We'll take on anyone...)
Rolltide.com: Who do you try to model yourself after, in terms of running? Why?
Payne: I try to model myself after my high school coach, Devon Hind. He always said, "The harder you work, the better you'll be." I've tried to apply this to everything in life, not only running. It's so basic, yet true.
Rolltide.com: How hard was it to get back into competing after taking a few years off after high school?
Payne: Haha. Everyone asks me how my "off years" were. I really only took one year completely off of running (my freshman year at UA). After that, I just felt lazy and out of shape so I started running a few miles every other day my sophomore year. That turned into 30 and 40 mile weeks so I decided to try a few road races. Off of not much training, I set a new personal record by a minute in the 5k, so I decided to come out for the team. Coach Walker and the guys have made it easy and enjoyable to be back on a team again!
