University of Minnesota Athletics
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Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Meet the Newcomers: Dillon Blake
8/26/2020 11:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track & Field, Women's Cross Country, Women's Track & Field
Get to know Gophers freshman Dillon Blake, a distance runner from Mundelein, Ill.
MINNEAPOLIS -- Freshman Dillon Blake joins the Golden Gopher cross country and track & field program as a distance runner from Mundelein, Ill. Blake shares how he got into running, his academic plans, his proudest moment in his running career so far, and more.
Gopher Sports: How did you first get into running?
Dillon Blake: I started in seventh grade. I didn't really like running when I was younger, but my friends were all joining cross country so I decided to give it a try. My friends were doing it, and I actually ended up really liking it and started getting into it in eighth grade. I just kept working at it through high school and really came to love it.
GS: What other sports or activities were you involved in growing up?
DB: I played baseball for a long time up until high school, and I also played a little basketball and some volleyball in addition to running. That's pretty much it.
GS: What was it about running that hooked you?
DB: I really like how running is a sport where everyone can do it. There are not a lot of barriers to entry. Everyone can get better if they just put in the work. I like the running community, too. I feel like everyone in the running world is really nice. I love the team aspect, too.
GS: What's your earliest memory of running or racing?
DB: My earliest memory of racing would have to be seventh grade because I really never raced before that. Other than that, probably just at my middle school, running laps on the field.
GS: Do you consider yourself a cross country runner more of a track runner?
DB: I am definitely more of a cross country runner. I really like the distance, so in high school cross country is longer than track. In college, it gets a little different. I'm excited for the longer distances in track, but I really love cross country. I love the fall and the atmosphere.
GS: What is your favorite distance race or your favorite type of cross country course?
DB: Well, Illinois is the weird state where in high school cross country, we run three miles, not 5K. I'm looking forward to running some 5Ks on the track and an 8K in cross country. The longer, the better for me. The 10K will be fun, too. I'm excited to try that eventually.
GS: What is your family like?
DB: My mom is a speech therapist. My dad is a data analyst. He runs his own consulting company for pharmaceuticals. I have a younger sister too, Riley. She's going into eighth grade this year. We're very different. She's more into the arts and I'm more into running, but we're really close so it's nice.
GS: In terms of your training or racing, what is one thing that you're really confident in and one thing that you want to work on more?
DB: I'm really confident in my endurance. I'm better at the longer races. That's where I'm more comfortable. I want to get better at tactics and improve my kick.
GS: Do you know what you want to major in or what career path you want to explore?
DB: I'm majoring in Computer Science. I've been programming for a while. I started learning a while ago, and I really enjoy it. I like the problem-solving aspect and enjoy having to think through things. I really enjoy it, so I think it will be a lot of fun to study in college.
GS: What has been the proudest moment of your running career so far?
DB: My proudest moment would probably have to be in my sophomore year of high school when we qualified for the state cross country meet for the first time in school history. My freshman year, we just barely missed it. It was really cool to be part of school history. We were a really tight-knit team, so that was a lot of fun. I'm really proud of being able to be a part of that.
GS: What does your race day look like and do you have any pre-race superstitions?
DB: I have a lot of superstitions. Well, I wouldn't say superstitions, but more like routines. Four hours before I run, I have to eat oatmeal and have peanut butter on some bread. That's my go-to, and it has to be four hours before. Other than that, I like listening to music. I try to stay calm and talk to friends. The night before, I like to eat pasta, like a lot of runners. I try not to think about it too much.
GS: What advice would you give to a young runner?
DB: Remember that running is a life-long sport, so you don't have to be the best right away. There were definitely times in high school where I tried to push myself too much. You have so long. Even from freshman year to senior year of high school, you can have a huge progression. It keeps going from there. Take the right pace for you, and know that it's a long journey.
Dream vacation: Colorado. I would like to hike in the mountains.
Dream car: Tesla
Favorite show to binge watch: The Office
Favorite dessert: Ice cream
Super power of choice: Flying
Hidden talent: I like to think I'm a pretty good cook, but I know a lot of people would probably disagree with me.
City or country: City
Roads or trails: Trails
Winter or summer: Summer
What is on your race day playlist: I like rock, but I don't have a set playlist.
Describe yourself in one word: Caring
Describe yourself in one emoji: The smiling one. I'm a pretty happy person.
Name one food that you could never live without: It would definitely have to be oatmeal because that's my go-to for racing. I can't live without oatmeal.
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Favorite pizza topping: Sausage
Favorite cartoon character: SpongeBob
Favorite superhero: Batman
Running role model: There are a lot of cool runners out there, so it's hard to pick just one. Evan Jager is pretty cool. He's an Illinois guy. I like the Tinman Elite guys, too. They seem pretty cool.
First thing that you do when you wake up in the morning: Check my phone. It's maybe not the best thing to do for right away, but I turn off the alarm.
Favorite workout: Probably 800-meter repeats.
Fill in the blank: Runners should always _____. Runners should always double knot their shoes.
###
Gopher Sports: How did you first get into running?
Dillon Blake: I started in seventh grade. I didn't really like running when I was younger, but my friends were all joining cross country so I decided to give it a try. My friends were doing it, and I actually ended up really liking it and started getting into it in eighth grade. I just kept working at it through high school and really came to love it.
GS: What other sports or activities were you involved in growing up?
DB: I played baseball for a long time up until high school, and I also played a little basketball and some volleyball in addition to running. That's pretty much it.
GS: What was it about running that hooked you?
DB: I really like how running is a sport where everyone can do it. There are not a lot of barriers to entry. Everyone can get better if they just put in the work. I like the running community, too. I feel like everyone in the running world is really nice. I love the team aspect, too.
GS: What's your earliest memory of running or racing?
DB: My earliest memory of racing would have to be seventh grade because I really never raced before that. Other than that, probably just at my middle school, running laps on the field.
GS: Do you consider yourself a cross country runner more of a track runner?
DB: I am definitely more of a cross country runner. I really like the distance, so in high school cross country is longer than track. In college, it gets a little different. I'm excited for the longer distances in track, but I really love cross country. I love the fall and the atmosphere.
GS: What is your favorite distance race or your favorite type of cross country course?
DB: Well, Illinois is the weird state where in high school cross country, we run three miles, not 5K. I'm looking forward to running some 5Ks on the track and an 8K in cross country. The longer, the better for me. The 10K will be fun, too. I'm excited to try that eventually.
GS: What is your family like?
DB: My mom is a speech therapist. My dad is a data analyst. He runs his own consulting company for pharmaceuticals. I have a younger sister too, Riley. She's going into eighth grade this year. We're very different. She's more into the arts and I'm more into running, but we're really close so it's nice.
GS: In terms of your training or racing, what is one thing that you're really confident in and one thing that you want to work on more?
DB: I'm really confident in my endurance. I'm better at the longer races. That's where I'm more comfortable. I want to get better at tactics and improve my kick.
GS: Do you know what you want to major in or what career path you want to explore?
DB: I'm majoring in Computer Science. I've been programming for a while. I started learning a while ago, and I really enjoy it. I like the problem-solving aspect and enjoy having to think through things. I really enjoy it, so I think it will be a lot of fun to study in college.
GS: What has been the proudest moment of your running career so far?
DB: My proudest moment would probably have to be in my sophomore year of high school when we qualified for the state cross country meet for the first time in school history. My freshman year, we just barely missed it. It was really cool to be part of school history. We were a really tight-knit team, so that was a lot of fun. I'm really proud of being able to be a part of that.
GS: What does your race day look like and do you have any pre-race superstitions?
DB: I have a lot of superstitions. Well, I wouldn't say superstitions, but more like routines. Four hours before I run, I have to eat oatmeal and have peanut butter on some bread. That's my go-to, and it has to be four hours before. Other than that, I like listening to music. I try to stay calm and talk to friends. The night before, I like to eat pasta, like a lot of runners. I try not to think about it too much.
GS: What advice would you give to a young runner?
DB: Remember that running is a life-long sport, so you don't have to be the best right away. There were definitely times in high school where I tried to push myself too much. You have so long. Even from freshman year to senior year of high school, you can have a huge progression. It keeps going from there. Take the right pace for you, and know that it's a long journey.
Dream vacation: Colorado. I would like to hike in the mountains.
Dream car: Tesla
Favorite show to binge watch: The Office
Favorite dessert: Ice cream
Super power of choice: Flying
Hidden talent: I like to think I'm a pretty good cook, but I know a lot of people would probably disagree with me.
City or country: City
Roads or trails: Trails
Winter or summer: Summer
What is on your race day playlist: I like rock, but I don't have a set playlist.
Describe yourself in one word: Caring
Describe yourself in one emoji: The smiling one. I'm a pretty happy person.
Name one food that you could never live without: It would definitely have to be oatmeal because that's my go-to for racing. I can't live without oatmeal.
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Favorite pizza topping: Sausage
Favorite cartoon character: SpongeBob
Favorite superhero: Batman
Running role model: There are a lot of cool runners out there, so it's hard to pick just one. Evan Jager is pretty cool. He's an Illinois guy. I like the Tinman Elite guys, too. They seem pretty cool.
First thing that you do when you wake up in the morning: Check my phone. It's maybe not the best thing to do for right away, but I turn off the alarm.
Favorite workout: Probably 800-meter repeats.
Fill in the blank: Runners should always _____. Runners should always double knot their shoes.
###
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