Interview with Alison Smith
by Shannon Martin

Smith running toward the finish line at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional Championships 2006, where she placed fifth with a time of 17:55.9.
Photo Courtesy of:
Brian Funk

On November 25, Alison Smith, 17, of Atholoton, Maryland, placed fifth with a time of 17:55.9, in the Foot Locker Northeast Regional Cross Country Championships, qualifying her for the Foot Locker National Cross Country Championships in San Diego on December 9. Smith is the fourth Maryland girl to ever qualify for this event. She is coached by Brian Funk and trains with the Mach Los Track Club.

Smith is a 13-time Maryland state champion in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, and gained All-American status with her sixth place finish at the 2006 USA Junior National Championships in the 1500 meters with a PR of 4:31.45. Her fourth place finish at the 2006 Nike Indoor Championships in the mile with her PR of 4:57.09 also earned her All-American status.

Fast-women.com had the pleasant opportunity to catch up with Smith the evening before she left for San Diego. Her passion for running was absolutely apparent through the upbeat tone with which she spoke.

Fast-Women.com: Did Brian [Funk] explain to you how you were selected as an interviewee for Fast-women.com?
Alison Smith: He said something about it.

FW: Basically, we posted a request asking our site visitors to nominate high school athletes for an interview with fast-women.com. The criterion was that the athlete had to be a Foot Locker National qualifier, planning to compete in San Diego on December 9. Brian nominated you and with a little bit of research, we determined that you were indeed an excellent candidate to interview.
AS: Well, thanks!

FW: First of all, I want to ask you about the Northeast Regional Championships, where you finished fifth. Can you tell me a little bit about how that race unfolded and how you felt at the end?
AS: Well, it’s always unexpected as to how the Northeast is going to go, at least with me. So, my plan was to go out pretty aggressive and see where I was 200 meters in. The thought was if I could look to my left and right and know who’s in front of me, then I am in a good spot, and if not, I should start moving up pretty soon. So, that’s how I started it, kind of got in with the lead pack and then tried to hang on for the rest of the race. It worked pretty well. I’m really pleased with my performance.

FW: So, how do you feel about the course in Van Cortlandt Park?
AS: Well, my state course is pretty hilly, so I didn’t have a problem with the up hills, just the down hills. I have more of an issue with the down hills. I didn’t think that they were that bad, but hills are always tough.

FW: I find it interesting that you are part of the Mach Los Track Club. Tell me how that differs from training with your high school cross country team.
AS: Well, with my school, I guess people aren’t really training at the same level as me, except for maybe boys, but with a club team, I get to work toward the same goals with people who run at my pace. [For example], I train with twins [Halsey and Ashlyn Sinclair] who run at my pace. We coach each other and work out together, so that’s really helpful.

FW: So how often do you train with the club and how often do you train with your school team?
AS: Well, I’m not running indoor [track] for my school, so right now, I am just training with the club. During cross country season, it’s harder [to arrange who I’m training with].

FW: I’m sure you are probably aware that Brian also coached Kristen Nicolini, who is now running professionally, and trains with Team USA Minnesota. Can you see yourself sticking with running and possibly running professionally after college?
AS: Oh, definitely! I can easily see myself doing something like that. That would be awesome to just go out there and train and get paid to do it.

FW: That’s great; the way distance running is growing in this country, I am quite confident that the professional running opportunities will only increase.
AS: That’s really exciting.

FW: Let’s look back now to when you first started running. How did you get involved in the sport?
AS: When I started running? I lived in Hong Kong for three years: for fifth, sixth, and seventh grade. My dad and I would go running together, not anything major, but that’s definitely how I got started.

We came back her and when I was in ninth grade, cross country sounded fun. I went out for the team and ended up doing pretty well. I won counties my freshman year, and got second in states, so I went from there.

FW: Well, that’s definitely a unique introduction to running. So, now that you’re a senior, have you thought about where to go to college? We can all expect you to run in college, right?
AS: Not yet [laughing]. I’m waiting until after cross country to start at that, but I’ll definitely be running in college.

FW: That’s good to hear. Now, let’s touch on the specifics a little bit. Tell me about your weekly mileage and the types of workouts that you do.
AS: My weekly mileage right now is at a low point; I’m at 35 because I was injured at the beginning of the season, so I was doing a lot of pool workouts and pool running and stuff like that.

So for workouts, I do a lot of 1200s, 1000s, 800s, stuff like that. We have a big field area, where we do a lot of cross country training.

FW: So, with the 1200s, 1000s, and 800s, do you do interval-type training, such as up the ladder and then back down?
AS: Yeah I’ll do something like that or I’ll do something like 2x1200, 1x1000, and 1 x600.

FW: Do you prefer running cross country over track and field?
AS: It changes. Right now, I’m saying I like cross [country] better, just because I have been doing cross country for so long, but by the time track season is over, I’ll say I prefer track over cross country.

FW: So, with such a strong performance at the Northeast Regional Championships, I’m assuming that you are fully recovered from your injury.
AS: Yeah, definitely.

FW: Tell me how it was to be in the pool as opposed to taking part in your normal training routine.
AS: It was really tough. It’s always a huge bummer to be injured at the beginning of the season and I was injured in the very first meet. On one hand it was easy though, because I still had all of the season ahead of me to work on recovery. It’s easy to slack off in the pool, but I tried to stay focused. It turned out okay actually, because now, I’m right where I need to be at the end of the season.

FW: What are some things you like to do outside of running?
AS: I like to hang out with friends and go to the movies, but I don’t really have a whole lot of time for other stuff.

FW: Are you excited to go to San Diego?
AS: Oh my gosh; I’m totally excited! I don’t think I can be any more excited!

FW: When are you leaving?
AS: Tomorrow morning; we have to be at the airport at 4:30.

FW: Oh my goodness, and it’s almost 10:00 now and you’re not in bed!
AS: Yeah [laughing], I know.

FW: Are you nervous at all?
AS: Not yet; I think it will sink in when I get there. Right now, I’m still pretty calm and collected, seeing as how I’ve gotten very little of my packing done.

FW: Do you have any particular goals for the race?
AS: I’d like to [place] in the top 10; I’d definitely like to be in the top 10. We’ll see how I feel, and see how it goes.

FW: Good luck!
AS: Why thank you.

Interview conducted on December 6, 2006, and posted December 8, 2006.

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