Mike Spain is a sophomore on the team this year. He might be short but he doesn't race like it. In his last year at North Central he's proved that he is the real deal with a Freshman Indoor Record in the 5k and a 14:36 provisional qualifying 5k outdoors among other performances. He's on quite a tear this fall with his most recent performance being his 2nd place run at CCIW. We were able to catch up with him (not an easy task) for a few quick questions.
1. NCC Harrier: How does being short affect your running?
Mike Spain: Well...it does make it very easy to draft off of people. Most people forget I'm in the race until I pass them. If anything, it's an advantage because people underestimate me only to be proven wrong later in the race. It also still allows me to order from the kids menu at restaraunts and pay kids prices at movies.
2. NCC Harrier: What made you choose North Central?
Mike Spain: Eh...North Central was the first running school I heard of being from Schaumburg. I heard of many alumni going to NC (Lesiewicz, Rizzo's, etc.) and I just wanted to go to a school where I could develop the best. I didn't care if it was Division 1,2, or 3, I just wanted to be at the place where I could be my best.
3. NCC Harrier: Who would win in a fight, you or Grammy?
Mike Spain: Weapons involved, Grammy would win based on more experience. Hand to hand it would be a different battle seeing that I have wrestling experience to back me up. Either way, it'd be a good fight.
4. NCC Harrier: What's a harder sport, wrestling or running?
Mike Spain: That's a tough one. Both sports are the two hardest sports out there. Wrestling is a different kind of pain. Running is more of a mental fatigue where wrestling is physically unbearable. I really think that being a wrestler helps your running a lot because you already know how to deal with the pain. The only difference is when you're running, you get to control how much pain you're in. While in wrestling, your opponent controls how much pain you are in. I guess in running it comes down to how much pain you want to put yourself through.
5. NCC Harrier: So it's rumored that you are the second best Guitar Hero player on the North Central team, by how much would Kyle Brady beat you by?
Mike Spain: I guess I am more concerned with Neal Klein if anybody on the North Central team. While Kyle Brady practices probably 10 times as much as I do, I will always have more musical talent and finger dexterity than he can ever hope for. [Editors Note - The views of Mike Spain are strictly subjective and have no bearing on the actual skill of each player.]
6. NCC Harrier: Who is the person you look up to the most, literally or figuratively?
Mike Spain: I'd say my dad in both aspects. Everyday he gets up for work at 2 in the morning and never complains about anything. He is a very hardworking man and this is where I've gotten a lot of my work ethic from. In the 28 years he's been working he's only been sick a handful of times. And he's 6 feet tall. [Editors Note: Mr. Spain is a foot and a half taller than Mike.]
7. NCC Harrier: What's your favorite memory at North Central so far?
Mike Spain: Up until this past weekend, my best memory was when I found out that I could go to North Central. It was great knowing that I would have the opportunity to go to this school. I now realize the longer I have here, my favorite memory will be changing rapidly.
8. NCC Harrier: If you could be anybody else on the team, who would it be and why?
Mike Spain: Dan Buys hands down. He's perfect in every aspect of life.
9. NCC Harrier: Who has been your favorite athlete to compete against/with and why?
Mike Spain: Well I never really know anyone who I'm competing against and I don't really care. I guess my favorite people to compete with would be my teammates.
10. NCC Harrier: Thanks for the great questions Mike, any last words for the audience?
Mike Spain: I'd just like to say thanks to the alumni for the support, everyone on the team really appreciates it and doesn't take it for granted.
