Fitch digs into summer workouts

| Sunday, July 9, 2017, TRIB-LIVE

Christian Fitch, a sophomore at Fox Chapel, made it to the WPIAL and PIAA cross country championships last year along with being named team MVP in track, and he’s working hard to earn a repeat performance.

He hopes to better his performance at states.

“I didn’t do as well as I had hoped at the PIAAs,” Fitch said. “I’ve set goals for this season to finish in the top 10 or top five at WPIALs and then medal at states.”

He already is getting himself in medal-winning shape.

“Our summer running sessions for the team have started, and we’re doing a lot of running at North Park,” Fitch said. “I’m also doing a lot of running on my own at Squaw Valley.”

Right now, he’s running about 28 miles a week.

“By the end of the summer, I’ll be up to 55 a week,” Fitch said. “Running in the heat really doesn’t bother me. You get used to it.”

He has been involved in competitive running since he was 12 years old.

“My middle school coaches wanted me to come out for the team. I did, and I got hooked right away,” Fitch said. “I love running.”

Fitch, who runs the 3,200 meters, mile and 2 mile for the track team, said he was surprised at being named MVP as a freshman.

“It was unique. I really thought one of our seniors would get the award,” Fitch said. “It was a shock to me.”

He has high hopes for himself and his cross country teammates this fall.

“We only had one senior graduate, so most of the team is back,” Fitch said. “I think we’ll do pretty well this season.”