Running with the Grizzlies: Rosa Hardarson and Bridget Creel

With the Montana cross country teams already deep into their fall season, it's time to meet this year's Grizzlies.

Rosa Hardarson -- Redshirt sophomore, Littleton, Colo. (Littleton HS)

Why I started running: Because I didn't want to play soccer anymore.

What I remember about my first race: My first real race was freshman year of high school, and I remember my dad coming up to me before the race and saying, "Fight until the very end." That has stuck with me so much that I got is as my first tattoo.

Trails, track or road: TRACK!

Solo or group run: Group runs

Most memorable race: Winning 4x400 at state in 2012 and breaking the Colorado all-state record.

Favorite meal the night before a big race: Spaghetti and meatballs

Favorite post-race indulgence: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

Favorite workout: 200 repeats

Workout I most dread: Mile repeats

If I wasn't a runner, I would be a: Winter sport athlete

Go-to mantra when the running gets tough: Don't think, just run! And #POTP (hashtag power of the pack). Using my girls to motivate me to run is what gets me through a lot of workouts.

Favorite time of the day to run: Afternoon

Favorite time of the year to run: Anytime but summer

Favorite place near Missoula to run: Rattlesnake

Favorite place near your hometown to run: Súlur is a mountain located to the southwest of the town Akureyri in Iceland.

Dream running location: Nepal

Athlete I'd most like to go for a run with: Emma Coburn or Allyson Felix

Trend in running I'm not a fan of: Mountain long runs

The number of pairs of running shoes I own: Five

Bridget Creel -- Sophomore, Bozeman, Mont. (Bozeman HS)

Why I started running: My parents both ran in college, and I was an energetic little kid in 5th grade!

What I remember about my first race: I'm guessing it was in a stroller being pushed by my dad, probably one of my faster races ever.

Trails, track or road: Trails, 100 percent

Solo or group run: Gotta have both to love both!

Most memorable race: 30-second PR in the 3,200m sophomore year of high school.

Favorite meal the night before a big race: Chicken fettuccine Alfredo

Favorite post-race indulgence: Biking, climbing, skating and eating all the food I can eat (any or all of the above)

Favorite workout: Tempos

Workout I most dread: Anything shorter than 800 meters

If I wasn't a runner, I would be a: Better biker, climber and skier (sorry, Coach!)

Go-to mantra when the running gets tough: I pick a new one for every race.

Favorite time of the day to run: 3:30, practice time!

Favorite time of the year to run: Summertime evening trail runs

Favorite place near Missoula to run: Blue Mountain

Favorite place near your hometown to run: Bear Canyon Trailhead

Dream running location: One of the best parts of trips with my family during high school was being able to find a cool place to run no matter where we were. Finding cool places to run in any place is part of the fun!

Athlete I'd most like to go for a run with: Emma Coburn

Trend in running I'm not a fan of: Skorts

The number of pairs of running shoes I own: 3

University of Montana Athletics

Running with the Grizzlies: Rosa Hardarson and Bridget Creel

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