Unless you are a current or former student or employee at Queens University of Charlotte, or you live or work near the campus, you probably don't know much about the school.
Q. How and when did you get into running?
I started running in junior high, then ran track and cross-country all through high school. I was pretty good for small town East Texas but let's just say the college coaches weren't beating down my door. So in undergrad I decided not to run but always kept reasonably fit. I didn't start running more seriously again until after college, when I worked for Mizuno and then Brooks for a total of three years. Working in the running industry and being surrounded by colleagues and friends who ran competitively was great motivation to start getting serious about the sport. I asked one of my boyfriend's friends from college to coach me in a marathon I was training for, since I knew he was a college coach and an accomplished runner himself. Six months later he asked me if I wanted to quit my job, get my masters degree and come run at Queens -- and the rest is history!
I will be doubling in the 10k and the 5k, which could potentially make for the most painful weekend of my life. The 10k is my focus and I hope to at least earn All-American honors (which is top 8), hopefully top 3. I'll be running on tired legs for the 5k but would still like to make All-American if things go well.
Q. What have you learned about yourself through competing at the collegiate level?
It's pretty simple. I've learned that I can run a hell of a lot faster than I ever thought I could. Before I came to Queens I was a 38-minute 10k, 18:45 5k runner -- good enough to win a few local road races but that's about it. Now I've lowered my 10k PR by 4 minutes and my 5k PR by 2. If you'd told me I was capable of that two years ago I would've literally laughed out loud.
Q. What are your post-college running goals?
I want to qualify for the US Championships on the track and the Olympic Trials in the marathon. To be honest, I'd prefer not to focus on the marathon, but I don't have the raw speed to be nationally competitive in anything else!
Q. How do you get fired up before a race?
Q. What's your favorite post-race treat?
Definitely a good brunch or breakfast of some kind. Doesn't matter what time of day it is.
Q. Where's the most amazing place in the world that you've ever run?
Most of my overseas travel to date took place before I became a competitive runner -- so I hope to change that in the near future! However, I've had the opportunity to travel all over the country for running, which is something I'll forever appreciate. Central Park in the middle of a snowstorm was pretty cool, as was running on the cross-country skiing trails in Whistler, BC. We had a Brooks sales meeting there two years before they hosted the Winter Olympics. Running on the National Mall at sunrise has got to be one of my favorites, too. I can't pick one!
Q. Which race are you running at the DII championships, and what are your goals?
Q. What have you learned about yourself through competing at the collegiate level?
Q. What are your post-college running goals?
Q. How do you get fired up before a race?
Q. What's your favorite post-race treat?
22, senior, Morongo Valley, Calif.
Q. Which race are you running at the DII championships, and what are your goals?
Q. What have you learned about yourself through competing at the collegiate level?
Q. What are your post-college running goals?
Q. How do you get fired up before a race?
Q. What's your favorite post-race treat?
Q. Where's the most amazing place in the world that you've ever run?
I started running in the fall of 2006. However, [I was previously involved in rugby and soccer, two sports that involve a lot of running]. It was through soccer that my junior college coach recruited me to run.
Q. Which race are you running at the DII championships?
Q. How do you get fired up before a race?
Q. What's your favorite post-race treat?
Q. Where's the most amazing place in the world that you've ever run?
For a full schedule of events at the NCAA Division II National Track & Field Championships, click here.
1 comments:
Great write up. I'm sure the students were excited to be interviewed; thanks for featuring this.
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