University of Minnesota Athletics
Warm-Up Lap: Q&A with Zetta Mason
9/27/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
MINNEAPOLIS -- University of Minnesota redshirt freshman Zetta Mason has emerged as one of the Gophers' top runners early in the cross country season after competing unattached as a true rookie last season.
Mason has recorded back-to-back career-best times in her two 6K races so far this season, posting a time of 22:51.0 in fourth place overall at the Oz Memorial before lowering her PR to 22:44.4 in 35th place overall at the Roy Griak Invitational last weekend. Mason reflects on how she chose the University of Minnesota, what she likes best about running, and her major of anthroplogy.
Gopher Sports: How did you choose the University of Minnesota?
Zetta Mason: I am from Colorado, so, very far away. I just came on a visit, and I really liked the team. It was always kind-of in the back of my head. When it really came down to it, I liked how it was close to home as it's only a two-hour flight away.
GS: How did you first get into running?
ZM: I played soccer growing up, but in winter there's not really a lot of soccer going on. My parents thought I had a lot of energy, so they signed me up for a club track team. I ran indoor track when I was in eighth grade, and then when I was a freshman I did the same indoor program. I had a really good race at one of the meets we went to, and they encouraged me to think about track. So, I quit soccer and focused on track.
GS: Is that when you realized you were a talented runner?
ZM: Yeah, they picked me out and told me they thought I would be really good. I had a really good team in high school, and they were really close together and had good leadership. They helped pull me along and show me my potential.
GS: Do you prefer cross country or track & field?
ZM: I like track better. I like going fast, I like the 1500m.
GS: What's the most challenging aspect of cross country? How does running cross country help you on the track?
ZM: I think the most challenging thing is that I did not do a lot in high school, mileage wise. I did not do any long runs ever, even last year my longest run was six miles. This year has been all about working on the mileage and staying healthy. The endurance has really helped. You can't have one without the other.
GS: How did you choose anthropology as your major?
ZM: I started out majoring in physiology as a freshman. I wanted to do sciences and stuff. I actually did one semester of chemistry and realized it was not my thing. I took an anthropology class in high school, and I really liked it so fall semester I chose some courses and I still really liked it.
GS: What are your career goals?
ZM: I want to go in to the Peace Corps. I want to teach English in the Peace Corps. I have always been drawn to it. I have some older role models that have done it, and they have always kind of inspired me.
GS: Do you have a favorite motivational quote or running mantra?
ZM: My coach in high school had one. It was, 'I feel good. I feel great. I feel wonderful, and gosh darn it, people like me.' I shorten it to, 'I feel good. I feel great. I feel wonderful.' I do all my warmups to that, and that has always been kind of a good mantra for me.
GS: Fill in the blank. Running is _______.
ZM: Meditative. I definitely find calm in running, and it is definitely a place of meditation.
GS: Where is your favorite place to run in Minneapolis?
ZM: I like Stone Arch, but I am also like finding new places to run and changing it up a bit.
GS: Where is your favorite place to run in your hometown of Boulder, Colo.?
ZM: There is a trail right outside my house, and it is a seven mile loop. It goes through some grass, and then you go over this plateau where you can see all the Flatirons, and you run through the forest, through the canyon, and back to my house. I think I did it three times a week all summer.
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