Pre-Race Interview with Sara Powell
By Alison Wade

Sara Powell does some strides on the course the day before the race. (Photo by Alison Wade/NYRR)

Fast-Women.com: We read that you were planning on running the last 800 of the Northeast Regional in 2:40. It must have worked because you were in ninth place with 600 meters to go and you moved up to eighth and grabbed the final qualifying spot.
Sara Powell: I feel kind of bad for the girl I passed (laughs).

You beat her by a lot though.
I didn't look back because I thought she was on my shoulder the whole time, so I just kept on pushing.

Has it helped that your brother (Andy) ran at this meet in the past? Did you ever go as a spectator when he ran?
Actually, no. He ran in Orlando, so I've never been here. I really like the course, I think the downhill is going to be to my advantage -- and a lot of the Northeast runners -- because we're used to the hills and stuff.

What about the weather, do you think it's going to be a factor?
I think, if anything, it's going to help us out because we've been training in the cold and snow. My track is covered and the roads around Massachusetts are all icy and stuff. I think this weather is good for us because we've been [training] in tougher circumstances.

Has it been hard training at home, not having a track?
Yeah, actually, we've had to measure out distances on the roads and stuff, it's been a little different, but I think it just makes us stronger.

Have you had people to train with these past few weeks?
No, just by myself.

Most of your teammates are probably long done with their season.
Yeah, they're like, 'We're not running any more.' They're having a nice, long break -- which is what I'm going to do.

What kind of training did you do to get yourself here, and to what do you attribute your improvement?
Well, this summer I ran about 70 miles a week. And then the whole entire season I ran 60 miles a week, until the Regionals where I ran like 45-50 miles. And then this week I'm only running 35, so I think the drop will hopefully peak me out, but you never know.

Is that more mileage than you've ever done before?
Oh yeah. I used to do like... I don't even know. I have a [training] log now, so that definitely has helped me. I think I used to do like 35 or 45 miles a week.

How did you build up to 70?
Last year I just started [gradually working my way up] and working on my core strength, just to make sure I wouldn't get injured. I eat a lot of food, so that definitely helps. And I just try to stay strong, I think that's why I can handle it.

What kind of speedwork do you do?
Oh gosh, I do so much. I do strides all the time. As far as speedwork, my easiest speed workout was like six or eight 400s, but it was pretty hard.

And what would a harder workout be?
Oh, I don't know... I did like four mile repeats, probably with five minutes rest. Four different miles.

Do you do it on a cross country course or something?
Yes. It makes it more interesting to do it on a course because you go to different sections and you can visualize that you're on an actual course and stuff.

Have you made a college decision yet?
I have no idea. I'm undecided.

Have you made any visits?
I have a couple set up but I haven't visited yet. I only visited [Boston College] but that's really close to my home.

Has your brother been nudging you toward Stanford at all?
Yeah, he totally wants me to [go to Stanford]. I sent my application in this week and hopefully, if I get in, maybe I'll go. I really like the Trotters (Katy and Amanda) and Ari (Lambie -- they've all signed with Stanford).

Is your brother coming down to watch you run here?
He's driving through the night, because he has a final today. So he's going to drive like all night and just make it here. I'm so excited.

Has he given you any advice about the whole Foot Locker experience?
He's pretty much taught me everything I know. Like everything. I talk to him on the phone all the time. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for him. He's such a good brother, he's like the best brother you could have. He helps me out, encourages me... I wrote my college essay on him.

(Interview conducted December 13, 2002, posted January 8, 2003)