Five Questions: Ella Donaghu

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Ella Donaghu of Portland’s Grant High School enters her senior season as one of the best female distance runners in Oregon’s history. She owns all-time bests for track in the 1,500 and 3,000 meters and last fall she won the NXN Northwest regional title.

The past two cross country seasons she is the only person to beat the eventual NXN champion. She got Alexa Efraimson at an early season meet in 2013 and beat Allie Ostrander on the snowy NXN Northwest course last year.

This past spring, Donaghu was sidelined with a case of mono that kept her from training and racing the 3,000 meters. So she won the Oregon 6A titles in the 800 and 1,500 instead. And then to cap her season she won the Brooks PR Mile.

Here are five questions for Ella Donaghu.

Question 1 – How was your summer and your trip to Steens Mountain Running Camp? (Note - Donaghu chose Steens over an invite to Nike Elite Camp)

Ella Donaghu: Steens was super fun. I always love going to Steens with my team and this year it was the most fun that I’ve had. Steens is in Southeast Oregon near Burns and it’s high desert. The camp sits about 7,500 feet so you’re up there. It’s a rugged environment. The one really tough day is called The Big Day and it’s 28 miles of running and hiking. It takes all day. (Steens) is mostly a camping and hiking thing with some running sprinkled in.  

Question 2 – Have you recovered completely from your illness and back to running and full strength?

Ella Donaghu: It’s been going really good. After the Brooks meet I took a couple of weeks easy. Usually after a break I feel tight and not very good. So this time I sprinkled in a couple of 20-minute runs and then it felt really good to get back into doing volume again. I have had consistent training (this summer) and I’m excited for the season.

Question 3 – How strong do you feel relative to the past couple years at this point on the calendar?

Ella Donaghu: I feel like, right now, my coaches are taking it a little bit slow with me. Usually I try to start my season a little bit later. When I was a sophomore we started right from the (first) gun and went through December. I’m doing all the workouts the team is doing, but I’m in less of a rush. I feel really good and being relaxed about it helps a ton.

Question 4 – One record in Oregon that you don’t have is the OSAA state championship course record at Lane Community College (17:34.9 by Melissa Lucas of Jesuit in 1993). Is that one on your mind at all, especially since Matthew Maton made some waves last year by bettering Galen Rupp’s course record?

Ella Donaghu: Yeah, I totally have thought about it. Last year at the state meet my coach mentioned it to me before the race. Usually at the state meet it’s never a priority to run a super time, but this year it would be cool if things look good on the day. If things go well I might as well go for it. (Watching Maton) last year was super cool and he’s always been a fun guy to watch. Before last year I had never really thought about the course record but last year (when Maton broke it) it was like ‘ Well, they probably have a record like that for girls, too.’”

Question 5 – Last year you got 10th at NXN, which is right in your onw back yard. How do you feel about where you finished last year and what's in store this December.

Ella Donaghu:  Honestly, it left a little bitter taste in  my mouth. I think I ran a little too timidly. I didn't feel like I really belonged in the top 10 for some reason. This year I think I'll be more confident, knowing I can run up with the best girls. It's all mental and getting there on that day. After (NXN Northwest) there was a lot of hype around everything and everyone was talking about it. I tried to not pay attention to it at all but I was around it for two days and it got stressful. It became a huge expectation. My whole team was there, other friends and Oregon people from other schools. The whole time I was like 'I've got to deliver here.' Hopefully this year I'll (handle) it better.