Pre- and Post-Race Interviews with Erika Odlaug, December 7-8, 2001

By Alison Wade

Erika Odlaug en route to a second-place finish at the Foot Locker National Finals. (Alison Wade/New York Road Runners)

Erika Odlaug Bio

Pre-Race:

Can you tell us what it's like to be at Foot Locker and how the experience is going so far?
Well, I'm a little nervous, but that's to be expected. I'd be nervous if I weren't nervous. But it's really cool, it's exciting... I'm just trying to take it all in.

You finished fourth at your State Meet and tenth at the Midwest Regional a year ago and were determined to do better this year. How has your training changed in the past year?
Well, I stopped playing soccer, for one thing. I increased my mileage and did more basework in the summer.

What was your peak mileage?
Well, I was experimenting this year because I didn't know what my body could handle. The highest I got was 65. I think that was a little too high for me at this point. I think between 50 and 60 was good.

What do you think it's going to take to win tomorrow?
I need to believe in myself. I've never raced against these girls so I don't know what I can do against them. If I think I can do anything, then, I think... I can do anything.

Do you think that Amber Trotter is the one to beat?
That's what it seems like right now.

She has a tendency to go out really hard, do you think you would go with her?
She can go out however she wants to, but I'm going to go out how I want to. If it comes down trying to catch her, that's what it comes down to.

You've had a really strong season and haven't had much competition. It seems like you've been chasing records and times rather than people. Is it strange to suddenly have company?
Yeah, a little bit, but it also seems more natural. It's a race, so you should be racing against people. It's good, competition's good.

What made you choose Colorado for school?
It's a lot of little things. My brother's there, I really love Colorado, it's a beautiful place. I like their coaching philosophy, I like the coaches, I like the team. It just felt right, the atmosphere.

Post-Race:

So how do you feel now that the race is over?
Relieved. It's nice to be done.

Are you happy with your race?
Yeah, I'm happy. You've got to be happy with a top-five finish, so I'm happy. But like I always say after every race, even if I won, I'm not satisfied.

What would it take for you to be satisfied?
Maybe if were like Jackie Joyner Kersee or something. I'm never going to be satisfied.

You came from way back to catch Natasha Roetter at the end. When did you start to think you could catch her?
I had that "giving up" feeling in the last half mile, where you're just like, "Okay, I'll finish third." But then I really dug deep the last quarter. I found something in me that I knew I had.

Were you thinking about Amber Trotter at all and trying to reel her in?
I figured those girls (that she was running with) were trying to do the same thing, reel her in, so I would just stick with them. I didn't want to wear myself out in the first mile, trying to catch Amber... She's an elite runner right now, I guess. My initial plan, two weeks ago, was not to go with her... [I was thinking] she can go out in 5:03 and drop to 5:47 miles if she wants to, but I'll catch her in the end... But I ran as hard as I could and that's all I can ask of myself.

Looking ahead, have you set any goals for track season yet?
I really couldn't tell you at this point in time. I have plenty of time to think about that. I'd just like to go out in style, end on a good note.

Do you think sub-10 in the 3,200 is possible?
That would be a very good goal.