Competing at the Next Level: Claudia Saunders

May 02, 2013

<p> It’s been a pleasure having the opportunity to interview some of Ohio’s and the Nation’s best Cross Country and Track & Field Athletes.  Most have moved on to pursue their educations and to compete at the next level.  We reached out to our interviewee’s and asked them what their experience has been at the next level.  Many have gotten back and shared their athletic experiences to date, as well as what their expectations were, some recommendations and also the realities of competing at the next level.</p>

Claudia Saunders (2012) Princeton

Stanford (Hurdles, Middle Distance)

2011-12 Gatorade Ohio Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year.
2011 D1 OHSAA State Cross Country Champion 18:04.50
2012 OATCCC Indoor State Champion 60H 8.74
2010 OHSAA D1 State 100h Champion 14.49

MileSplit: Claudia, how has your collegiate experience been thus far?

Claudia: Overall, my experience with college running has been overwhelmingly positive. During our pre-season training camp trip and towards the beginning of the school year at Stanford, I worried how the adjustment from sprints/hurdles to middle distance would go. I now run about around 45 miles a week year round, in comparison to what I imagine couldn’t have been more than 20 miles a week in high school for track, and about 30 or so for cross country.

MileSplit: That seems like a big adjustment, how have you handled the change in mileage?

Claudia: Although I initially was worried about how I would handle the extra mileage both physically and mentally, the extra mileage has not been a source of any issues at all. I’ve found myself enjoying running more than I ever have before and sometimes, I kind of look forward to hard workouts. That’s a feeling that I had lost in the latter years of my high school career. I never would’ve seen myself being able to handle more mileage so soon after high school, but that aspect of running seems to be going well also. I’ve had minor flare ups of past injuries, but nothing serious that some stretching and icing can’t fix.

MileSplit: Did you compete in Cross Country or Indoor this year?

Claudia: I redshirted cross country this season, and in indoors, I mainly raced the 800. My indoor season ended in Arkansas, at NCAAs, where I ran the 800 leg of our DMR. My PR in this for the indoor season ended up being a 2:09. A time I hope to lower in the outdoor season.

MileSplit: What are your plans for the outdoor season?

Claudia: Our first outdoor meet was the Stanford Invite, March 29th. However, ran the 1500, an event I have never raced before. Although I was kind of nervous about running the 1500, I’m definitely more excited than anything. I’m hoping that my somewhat new found appreciation and feeling of excitement towards running will continue to carry over to racing, and that I can step up to the starting line excited and looking forward to the race ahead of me.