East County Athlete of the Week: Addison Shear

Addison Shear was one of 11 Lakewood Ranch High girls cross country runners to set a personal best Nov. 1 at the Tri-County Championship at North Port High. Shear, a junior, clocked a 20:02.4 to place 23rd overall in the 5K race, which featured 15 schools from Charlotte, Manatee and Sarasota counties. It smashed her previous best time by 54 seconds. Shear is the East County Athlete of the Week.

When and why did you start running?

I guess it all started when I was first born. My mom told me I was running in the womb, and I was born three months early. I was born as a runner. A lot of people in my family are very athletic, so I just enjoyed running as a kid. I ran a bunch of 5Ks when I was 8 years old, then I started cross country in seventh grade. This is my first year in high school that (I've done) cross country. I used to be in marching band, but then Coach (Rae Ann Darling Reed) recruited me.

On any given day, what do you enjoy most about getting out on the course?

It's just a stress-reliever. I can run, I can get all my emotions out — nobody's judging me. I can just do whatever.

What has been the highlight of your season so far, and why was it so memorable?

I've met a lot of great friends. I met this whole team, and they're absolutely amazing. I just feel close with them and I'm proud of myself. I've got a close relationship with my coach — I can just talk to her about anything — and I feel so safe with (my teammates).

Now that the postseason is coming up, how are you preparing for top competition?

The practices are very hard and tiring, so I just think, "I have to get through this practice, and then I'll be done. I can go home." I'll just feel good that I got the workout done, because if I'm lazy about it, then I just go home and I'm like, "I could have done better." I need to push myself in a way that gets me the results that I want.

When you're not running, how do you spend your free time?

I play the trumpet, hang out with my friends, and go to church.

What's one quote, if any, that you live your life by?

In the Bible, Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." That's what I go with. I write it on my arm sometimes while I'm running, and it motivates me. It's a reminder that I can do anything.

if you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

I guess to read minds, so I could know how others think of me. That would just be cool to know what they're thinking.

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?

I'd go to Tennessee again, because my grandma lives there, and I like visiting her.

What is your favorite meal?

Pasta carbonara.

What is your favorite movie?

I recently watched a movie called "Remember The Goal." I watched it with (my team) actually. It was good, really motivational.

What is your go-to hype music while running?

The song "Intelligence" (by is0kenny). We all listen to it.

Finish this sentence. Addison Shear is...

A hard worker.