Interview with McKayla Plank
by Shannon Martin

McKayla Plank racing through the snow at the U.S. Cross Country Championships in New York City February 2006.
Photo By: Alison Wade, New York Road Runners

McKayla Plank, 18, a freshman at Iona College, was the first American finisher in the junior 6K race at the World Cross Country Championships in Fukuoka Japan in early April. She finished 32nd overall, with a time of 21:15, helping the United States to land an eighth-place finish.

Prior to running at World’s, Plank finished second at the USA Cross Country Championships in New York City this past February, where she ran a 6K time of 20:46, just one second behind the first-place finisher, Nicole Blood.

During this winter’s indoor track season, Plank ran personal best of 9:42.78 in the 3000 meters and a 3:29 1200-meter leg on a distance medley relay that set a new Iona record of 11:41.73. She ran in the women’s junior 4K NACAC Championships in Florida in March, where she placed seventh, helping the United States to obtain the team title.

Plank attended high school in San Jose, California, where she ran both track and cross country. In 2004, she was fourth in California’s Division II Cross Country Championships.

Fast-Women.com: Congratulations on finishing 32nd at Worlds! How did it feel to be the first American to cross the line?
McKayla Plank: I felt awesome! It was one of the best feelings that I have ever felt in my life.

This moment was so surreal and it has been a dream of mine ever since I started running. All my hard work had finally paid off and things had came together at just the right time. I thank God for blessing me with this opportunity.

Being the first American girl to cross the line was definitely the icing on the cake for me.

FW: When you finished the race, did you know that you were the first American to finish?
MP: Yeah, I knew. Erin [Bedell] had started out ahead and Nicole Blood too. I caught them toward the end of the race and when I passed them, I knew that I was the first American finisher.

FW: Did you get to know the American girls while you were in Japan?
MP: Yes, I did. It was great. We were all there for a week. I knew Kauren [Tarver] fairly well already because we competed at the NACAC Cross Country Championships in Florida in March. I roomed with Maddy [Madeline McKeever of Duke], and we had a lot of fun. We all enjoyed sightseeing, and hanging out. It was so great; I’ll always remember this as one of the best times of my life.

FW: Look back at your life a year ago, when you were in high school. Back then, would you have ever imagined that you would be competing at the World Cross Country Championships?
MP: Definitely not! Last year, I didn’t even make states in track and field. People had told me to quit running, to find a different sport, that I didn’t have the right body type. I had had a pretty awful year my junior year in high school. People told me that I didn’t have a future in running.

I’m known as being pretty stubborn, so even though all of these people were telling me to quit, I didn’t want to. I think that people’s doubts in me gave me that much more motivation and determination to hang in there. Now, I’m really glad that I was persistent with my running.

FW: Wow, good for you for not allowing those pessimistic people to discourage you. You must feel great having proved them all wrong. You showed them that you actually do have a future in running!
MP: It does feel great. It’s a very powerful feeling. I’m also very thankful for those people who supported me even when I was struggling, and things were not going my way. Those people definitely proved to be my true friends and positive forces in my life.

FW: So, let’s talk about collegiate running in New York State now. First of all, how do you like Iona?
MP: It’s perfect for me. It’s just what I need. It’s a small school and a growing up-and-coming team, which suits me. Our team is a very tight-knit group.

FW: How was it for you to train in the cold for Cross Country Nationals and Worlds? It must have been quite the change from California!
MP: [Laughing] Yes, it was much different. I actually didn’t mind the cold at all. Now the snow, that took a lot of getting used to. We never had 26 inches of snow in California! After one of the blizzards this winter, we did an 11-mile run in a 200-meter long parking lot! Mentally, it was difficult, but I am usually up for a challenge.

My roommate and training partner, Tracey Williams, helped a lot with the winter training. It’s great to have her help! I can say that the weather made us tougher. I was actually happy when it snowed at Cross Country Nationals because I was used to it.

FW: That’s a good way to look at it. Now, how different is your collegiate training compared to your high school training?
MP: It’s not harder, but it’s definitely smarter. In high school, I had six different coaches with completely different training styles. It’s nice now to have one main coach, so my training is more consistent.

My mileage is pretty similar to what it was in high school with two workouts and a long run. I think it’s important to train smartly; training without straining!

FW: After such impressive cross country performances, do you prefer running cross country to running track now?
MP: I never had a preference until this year. I can say now that I do prefer cross country running because it’s not so much about the time; it’s about the trails and the racing, and the dynamics can be different on any given day.

FW: So, are you running track this season?
MP: Well, I took two down-weeks right after World Cross, so I just started back up with training. I plan to train for track Junior Nationals. I may do some open races, but I still have to talk to my coach about it.

FW: What event will you specialize in on the track this season?
MP: Probably the 5K.

FW: What goals do you hope to accomplish in running while you are at Iona?
MP: My goals are to stay injury-free, to keep enjoying it, and to keep trying to take it to the next level.

Interview conducted on April 25, 2006, and posted on May 1, 2006.

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