I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Mimi Smith for a few years and have seen her compete many times. Saturday, I watched her run the perfect race (in my opinion) to take the 3A state championship. Smith, a junior at New Trier in Winnetka, now has an individual cross country championship to go along with her team cross country championship (2011) and a 4 x 800 relay championship from track (2013).
While you were finishing dinner and chilling at the hotel, we were hanging out with your parents and grandparents at my mom and dad’s house sharing lots of laughs about how my mother took my father to see Bad Grandpa which she thought would be a cute, innocent movie. Wrong, mom. Plus, Mrs. Ackerman was sending you SnapChats of our group.
What did you do Friday night?
After dinner we just chilled at the hotel and had lots of laughs too. I was rooming with senior Molly Krueger and she is so fun but such a calming presence for me. I love Molly. She even went to go check on some of the younger girls to help set them at ease.
Tell me about Saturday.
Admittedly I was nervous but I was also feeling confident. 
I knew what I needed to do which was not going out too fast but keeping the leaders close enough so I would have a chance to reel them in when the time was right. I hit the mile at 5:30, about 7 seconds back of the lead pack. I was right where I wanted to be. I made my move the 2nd half and was able to catch Madeline and then Alexa and hold them off for the win. The team was working hard too and ran well enough for us to take 3rd as a team.
What do you think about when you run?
I don’t have a specific song that I sing to myself, but I try to tell myself positive, uplifting thoughts. I’ll say to myself, “I feel great!” and things like that. Plus, prior to the race I envisioned myself crossing the finish line first multiple times.
Could he hear any specific people yelling at you during the race?
I remember hearing my dad yell, “I believe in you Mimi Smith!” Plus, I heard Coach Burnside yelling, “How you feeling?” at the first mile and “You gotta go now, Mimz!” when I was coming out of the back loop.
You had those twins to run with for your first two years. I can’t think of their names, but what did they teach you?
Funny Mr. Ack. Courtney and Jess were such great leaders and role models. They led by example and expected the rest of the team to give their all. I have tried to take over their role as team leader and try to lead by example.
You and your team are running at Nike in Terre Haute on Sunday. Will you keep the same race strategy as Peoria?
I may need to go out a little hotter just so the leaders don’t get too far in front.
You have been to Portland for Nike National as a freshman and sophomore. How badly do you want to get back there?
It is such an awesome experience that I really hope we can make it happen again as a team. The Nike experience is amazing!
What about Foot Locker?
I’m planning to run that too and would love a chance to qualify for San Diego. It was thrilling to watch the streaming webcast of Courtney (Ackerman) competing there last year against the other top runners in the country.
Were there any low points for you this cross country season?
After I lost the first race at Hinsdale to Alexa Haff and then when Mailin Struck beat me at Oak Park, I was feeling a bit down but I didn’t dwell on those races for very long. I knew I just had to keep working and training hard to achieve my ultimate goal.
Your given name is Meredith, where did Mimi come from?
My mom had a dream when I was about 8 months old that I should be called “Mimi”. I just stuck after that.
Where do you see yourself going to college?
At this point I think I would like to stay in the Midwest, but I really haven’t started to think too much about it yet.
What do you see yourself focusing on during track season?
I’d like to bring my times down in the 800, but I see myself running the 1,600 and 3,200.
I know you are a very good singer, do you play any instruments?
I play the piano, but I prefer to sing.
Any aspirations of running a marathon at some point after college after watching your dad and past teammate, Julie Jackson, run it this year?
Wow, that was so fun and inspiring to watch. I could not believe how strong my dad looked after 20 plus miles of running. I could see myself doing that at some point.
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