Spolidoro got her automatic marks in the
3000 and 5000 meters this season |
1. You have really had a breakthrough indoor season so far by hitting both NCAA automatic standards in the 3000 and 5000 meters. This will also be your first time you know that you will be competing at the NCAA track & field championships. How does it feel to know you are heading to compete at the national meet?
I'm excited and a little anxious. I feel like it's so far away, but I'm sure time will fly between now and then. I'm excited to get to toe the line with girls that are so talented. It will be one of the most competitive races I have ever been in, especially with the way everyone is running so far this season, it's inspiring to see so many people running so fast.
2. After redshirting last year's indoor season, did that help you out in any way by coming into this year more healthy and eager to run?
Yes, it definitely did. I wasn't injured or anything when I redshirted. I just got to a point where I wasn't getting any better, and racing was hurting my confidence. I felt really run down and upset about not running well. I just wasn't happy with the way things were going and when you're not happy, you're just not going to run as well. When I redshirted I was able to take a breath and just go out and get in some good runs and not worry about the pressures of competing. I really feel like it rejuvinated me and when my times were a little better during the outdoor season, it made me that much more motivated to train and more excited to race.
3. During the outdoor season last year, your best time in the 5000 meters was 16:43.01. With your best time of 16:02.99 in the same event so far this indoor season, what have you developed the most within your training to almost breaking 16 minutes?
I feel like I worked well with my coaches and found what kind of training really works for me. I found I respond a lot better to one workout a week on the track and then a tempo/fartlek and a long run, instead of two intense track workouts. With not as many intense workouts it allows me to keep my mileage a little higher, which for me is a definite plus. I think that the quality miles and strong base I have established over the past year has been what has helped me become a stronger runner this year.
4. With the Big East indoor championships right around the corner, what will you be focusing on the most to be ready for your events that weekend?
I will try and focus on staying healthy. This cold weather has everyone getting sick, and thats the last thing I want right now.
5. What are some of your goals for the outdoor season?
I would like to break 16:00 in the 5k, maybe run close to 15:50 and also try to get in a good 10k. I would also like to qualify for outdoor nationals.
6. Did you want to come back closer to home when you decided to transfer to Boston College after your freshman year at Old Dominion?
No, that was not the reason I transferred to BC, but I definitely have appreciated how much more convienient it is and how great it is to get to see my family more often. I loved the people I met at ODU and still have some close friends there, and the coach was great too. I just wanted more, I wanted to see what I could do as a runner, and to do that I felt like I needed to be surronded by people who shared some of my goals and who could push me. Seeing the class BC had recruited that year and the girls who were already here convinced me that I would get all those things by coming here.
7. Are you excited to go after the steeplechase during the outdoor season now with your times during this indoor season so far?
Haha, I guess you never saw me in the steeple. Let me tell you it's not a pretty sight. I am the water pit entertainment. I have crawled or swam out of it more than once. In retrospect, I'm glad I got to try the steeple but I think it will be to my benefit and more importantly to the benefit of those who don't enjoy having to watch out for people swimming in the waterpit, that I stick to the 5k and 10k.
8. What are you majoring in at Boston College and where would you hope to go with your degree?
I am a communications major. I am interested in public relations. Ultimately, after I graduate I would like to get a small, non-stressful job and train and see what happens. Maybe try a marathon seriously at one point. I definitely want to keep running competitively given the chance and see where that goes. If that doesn't work out I would love to coach. I have had great coaches along the way and would love to help some kid like they have helped me. Running will always be a part of my life. I will be that 80 year old runner out on the roads if my body puts up with me for that long.
9. Is it difficult for you to adjust to the tight turns on the indoor track after coming off a cross country season where a majority of the race is done without such obstacles?
No, not really. I really like the banked tracks, I feel fast coming off the turns. Also, I would say I am more of a rhythm runner. The track is better for me in that respect, I feel like I can really get a solid rhythm going on a track, whereas in cross country its a lot harder to do that.
10. How has the coaching staff helped you along the way and where you would like to go in developing you as an athlete?
Kathy Flemming works with us the most directly, she is great. Over the past few years she has really helped me develop as a runner. She constantly encouraged me and helped me find the type of training that works best for me. Randy Thomas watches over the program as a whole and gets us in good meets and works with Kathy to figure out what workouts will help us reach our maximum potential. Jon Mortimer is the energy, always excited, always energetic and positive. He is extremely motivated and passionate about the sport and that carries over to his coaching. Altogether, they have made me a more confident, better runner.
11. What have you enjoyed the most -- on or off the track -- about your collegiate experience so far?
I'm extremely grateful for the chance I've been given to compete at the collegiate level. The best part about it has been the friends I've made. I have been through many ups and downs througout college, with running and classes and the whole transition thing from transferring. My teammates make up a lot of my close friends and they have helped me through so much and kept my spirits up. They have been so encouraging. Having them around has made my college experience unforgettable.
12. There is a great number of outstanding indoor facilities in the country today, including in the Boston area. What track have you most been comfortable with on the indoor circuit?
I absolutely love the new facility at Boston University. It is amazing. My whole team has run incredibly well there. Overall, I am just very grateful to have so many amazing tracks to run on.