Can running be in your blood? If so, Damien junior Tom Ebiner would be a prime example. His father, Mike Ebiner, was a strong track and XC runner on a CIF championship team at Bishop Amat in early 70’s. And if the name sounds familiar, it should, as Tom’s dad was one of six Ebiner brothers and four sisters who were all excellent runners in the 70’s & 80’s, and his cousin William is a teammate at Damien. But you don’t run with your blood, and Tom first broke through with his own feet last track season when he qualified for CIF in the 3200 out of the tough Sierra League. Let’s meet Tom:
How and when did you start running? – I’ve run for fun ever since I was little. Even though I ran track in elementary school, I didn’t really run competitively until I joined the cross country team my freshman year at Damien. Even then I wasn’t that serious and only ran 18:51 at Mt Sac my first year. My training and times really improved my sophomore track season, and I was able to make it to CIF for the first time racing in the 2 mile”.
What is your favorite workout during XC season, and why? – “I like runs where I can go an easy 10 and get a good hill workout at the same time. So for me running any where in the foothills, such as Horsethief Canyon, San Dimas Canyon, or Marshall Canyon, is great.”
How much did you train over the summer? – “Over the summer I focused mainly on putting in a bunch of miles while also trying to cover a lot of hills. I was able to go up to both Mammoth  and Big Bear for summer training so that was a great way for me to do both.”
What do you think about or concentrate on during XC races? – “I try not to think as much on setting a P.R or hitting a certain mark, but just going out and being competitive with top runners in the race, knowing that will pull me along to good times.”
Five Fun Questions
- Best Pizza? – “Warehouse”
- Favorite Subject in School? – “History”
- Song that’s stuck in your head? – “Don’t have one”
- Short or long shorts for training – “Short”
- Brand of Running Shoes? – “Asics”
Tom competes next on Friday, in the Div. 3 Sweepstakes race of the Mt. SAC Invite.
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