2005 USA OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Interview with Treniere Clement
Reported by Parker Morse

Treniere Clement. (Photo by Alison Wade/New York Road Runners)

She's been on a roll all season, and Treniere Clement let that momentum carry her to her first national title of any sort. She won the women's 1,500 in 4:06.73, and though she does not yet have the World Championship "A" standard of 4:05.80, she will secure her spot on the U.S. team for Helsinki in August if she can get it. [Note: After this interview was conducted, Clement ran 4:05.77 in Rome and secured her spot on the World Championship team.]

Q: Could you have imagined a finish like that before?
Treniere Clement: Honestly, yes, I've been working on that all year. That was the game plan — my speed is my strongest point. I knew it would be down to the line, and I knew I could pull it out.

Q: You've been making a steady progression since NCAAs last year. Is this just another step, or a breakthrough?
TC: It's a little of both. It's a breakthrough, because I've come down a lot in the last year. But it's a step towards my goals; I plan to be down in the low fours, and breaking 4:00, so I'm on my way.

Q: Have you been training specifically for the 1,500m this year?
TC: I focused a little bit more on my 800. I ran 1:59, so I did a little more of that this year. My strength was still up, so we just kept that going. I knew my 1,500m would come down.

Q: You have the 'A' standard in the 800m, but not the 1,500m. Why did you choose to run this event?
TC: The 1,500m has been my goal since day one. We just kept going with that.

Q: How many races will you have to get that 'A' standard?
TC: I honestly don't know. I'll need to sit down with my coach and my agent and plan what's the next step.

Q: You won't actually need it unless two others get it.
TC: True, but I definitely want to try to go get it. I'm in shape to. That's what I want to do.

Q: Did it feel comfortable to run this time today?
TC: Definitely. It's a PR, so I have no regrets. I definitely see myself going faster soon. I'm definitely in shape for the 'A' standard. I can see a 4:05 or faster.

Q: This is your first national title in anything, right?
TC: Yes. I've always been runner-up, or in the top three, but not first. It's even more exciting for my first year out [of college].

(Interview conducted June 25, 2005.)