All photos courtesy of PhotoRun.net
Bridget Franek
School: Crestwood, Mantua, OH - 2006
College: Penn State University
Professional: Oregon Track Club /Nike
Personal Bests
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· 1500 Meter Run 4:12.96· 1600 Meter Run 4:45.68· 3000 Meter Run 9:10.04· 3,000 Meter Steeplechase 9:29.53· 3200 Meter Run 10:16.50· 5000 Meter Run 15:46.08· 6000 Meter Run 20:31.50· 800 Meter Run 2:10.80· One Mile Run 4:37.95
Bridget Franek is from Hiram, Ohio. She graduated from Crestwood High School, in Mantua, Ohio in 2006. Her junior year she won the D1 1600m. Her Senior year, she was the 1600m, 800m and 3200m D2 champion. She was NCAA 3000m Steple Chase champion as a Senior at Penn State. She has since turned professional and is running with the Oregon Track Club/Nike. Franek qualified to represent Team USA at the London Olympics after finishing second in the 3000m Steeple Chase at the US Olympic Trials. In her final preparations for the 3000m Steeplechase trials Bridget ran PB, placing 4th in the Steeplechase, in the Aviva London Grand Prix Diamond League Meet on 7/14 with a time of 9:29.53 and 5th with a PB of 4:12.96 in the 1500m at the BMC (British Milers Club) Grand Prix Meet on 7/21.
Bridget, took the time off from a very busy training schedule to talk with us about her High School experience here in Ohio, her experience as a collegian at Penn State and now, as a member of our Olympic team. She is getting ready to perform on Track & Field's biggest stage. For her, it is difficult to describe her expectations, because, even having competed at big meets and at a World Championship, each time is different “as you have never been there before.” For her, there is no replacement for experience.
OHRunners recently had a chance to catch up with Bridget while she prepares for the 2012 London Olympic Games:
OHRunners: First, congratulations on making the US Olympic team in the 3,000m Steeple Chase. A tremendous accomplishment that I am sure you are very excited about and proud of. Before we talk about your being an Olympian however, I’d like to go back and ask a few questions in regards to when you first started running, your Ohio High School career and your collegiate career at Penn State.
When did you first start running? What did you run?
Bridget: When I was born, my parents were running road races and so I was going in the stroller. As soon as I could walk, they entered me in the fun-run miles, and thus it began.....
OHRunners: You were 2nd in the OHSAA D1 1,600 as a 9th grader in 2003 with a time of 4:53.22. I didn’t see any results for you in the 02 and 03 State XC meets. Were you running XC at that time?
Bridget: As a freshman and sophomore, I played on the Varsity soccer team at my high school instead of running XC. I wasn't so convinced that I was a runner yet! My motivation to run in the fall was to show college coaches that I could be valuable in both XC and track.
OHRunners: The girl’s 1600 and 800 from 2003-07 were extremely competitive, record breaking years. In 2003, as mentioned, you were 2nd to Maggie Infield of Beaumont, who set a new D1 State record of 4:49.40. In 2004, you were second to her again as she bettered her State record again in 4:47.79. In 2005, your junior year, you won the 1600, setting a new D1 State record of 4:45.68. You were 2nd in the 800 that year in 2:11.70 to Maggie’s freshman sister Emily (2:11.31). Emily in 2007 broke your State record in the 1600 with a time of 4:41.37, which is the current D1 State record. As a senior, you moved to D2 and took 1st in the 1600 (4:56.17), the 800 (2:11.22) and the 3200 (10:43.86). You still own the D2 State Records in the 1600 (4:50.10) and the 3200 (10:16.50). As you look back on those years and accomplishments, how did your expectations and goals change from your freshman year to your senior? How would you describe yourself as a high school runner? Is there a definitive moment or race when you realized that you had the talent to be a state champion? Were there any aspirations then of wanting to be an Olympian?
Bridget: High school seems a long time ago and I don't have a very good memory of thinking about what was going on in my head, but I'm pretty sure that I was just kind of going year by year. As a freshman, I didn't know anything about the "state" meet or how cool that was. I worked out hard, but I didn't put too much more into it the rest of the year (at least when I compare it to later years). People made comments about how I was going to make it to the Olympics, but I knew better than to jump to goals like that right away. It was a dream, but really I was just taking it year by year.
OHRunners: Starting your freshman year at Penn State, what were your expectations? What were your goals?
Bridget: Again, just as in High School, I was very naive about the college system and really had no expectations going in. When I made it to Nationals in XC however, the standard was quickly set and that became a goal of mine for each season. I also quickly realized how important the Big Ten Conference meet was and put that high on the priority list as far as meets that were important for me to perform well at. When I made the World Championships Team my junior year, I broke into a whole new world. I finally saw myself as actually possibly having the potential to become an Olympian one day!
OHRunners: When and how was the decision made on your part to run the 3000m SC? When and where was your first race?
Bridget: My dad had run the steeplechase in college and my brother and I grew up listening to stories about the event. I knew that as soon as I could, I wanted to try it out myself. My freshman year of college was my first real opportunity. I was recruited as a mile/5k runner though and was having a fairly decent freshman year, so I had some convincing to do to get my coach to allow me to 'take the risk'. My first one was at a very low-key meet at Bucknell University. I ran well enough by myself to petition for a second try a few weeks later at the Penn Relays. That’s how I won my first Penn Relays gold watch :)
OHRunners: You had a very good collegiate career at Penn State, capped off by a first place finish in the 2010 NCAA’s National Championships in the 3000m SC in a time of 9:38.86. In that race you bested Emma Coburn of Colorado who ran 9:51.86. You followed that up with a PR of 9:32.25 in the Prefontaine Classic and a #2 ranking in the 3000m SC by the US Track & Field News. You are now a Pro, running for Nike/ Oregon TC Elite. Mark Rowland is your current coach. How would you describe yourself as a runner now, as compared to HS and college? What motivates Bridget?
Bridget: Mark’s coaching philosophies are very different than Coach Sullivans from Penn State. This is very significant change because professional running is much more different than running in the collegiate system. It has been tough for me to get used to though. In college it’s easy to be motivated by the team goals. As a professional, you get to find out where your REAL motivation comes from. I have definitely struggled with this but I am beginning to figure it out. I majored in Kinesiology (exercise science) and I find the beauty and capabilities of the human body extremely fascinating. I also LOVE to travel and in this sport, if you don't run well, you stay home!
OHRunners: As you have and are maturing as an athlete, what makes you tick? What are you REAL motivations now.
Bridget: I am motivated by the hope that this career of mine could mean more to the rest of the world than me simply fulfilling MY dream. I LOVE traveling and being in Europe all summer and that is what motivates me to train hard the rest of the year and do well at the early meets, especially the ones that count.
OHRunners: How many miles are you currently running per week? Two-a-days? Are you doing mostly pace and speed work at this time?
Bridget: I don't like talking specifics when it comes to workouts mostly because it is always changing depending on the time of year. In general, these last few years I have started doing some two-a-days, I workout 2-3 times a week and am running around 70-75 miles most weeks. Leading up to the trials we tapered significantly however.
OHRunners: Can you break the 3000m SC down for us? Start through each lap.
Bridget: The steeplechase, as most events, is fairly complex. The race strategy changes from race to race depending on many factors (who you are racing, what time of year it is, what the weather it is, etc.) This year, I have broken done the race into three, thousand meter sections a lot, but that’s just this year.
OHRunners: In each middle distance, distance event, there is a time in the race where the mind tells you I can’t or I don’t want to do this. E.g. in the 800, it is right about 200m to go when you have to commit to the finish and start your sprint. Where is this point in the SC?
Bridget: That point can change depending on how you run the beginning of the race but I think it’s probably with 3 laps to go.
OHRunners: How important is hurdle technique? How much time do you spend on it?
Bridget: I came to OTC with pretty good form from college so we only work on hurdle technique about once a week now. When you look at the international competition, some of the quickest girls have the worst form- they are just really good runners. You just have to know your strengths in the event, build those up and slowly chip away at your weaknesses.
OHRunners: Do you remember your thoughts when you first walked into the stadium as a 9th grader in 2003 for the State meet? How did they compare to being in the stadium for your first NCAA’s? For the Olympic Trials? How would you describe your State Championship in the 1600 in Ohio in comparison to your NCAA championship in the 3000 SC? How about your thoughts immediately after making the Olympic Team?
Bridget: My freshman year, the Ohio State meet was at Welcome Stadium in Dayton. I really had no idea what I was getting myself into at that point. At each new level, the first time you compete at a big meet like that it is similar in the fact that you can't really have much of an expectation because you have never been there before. Experience makes a big difference in how you handle yourself and the expectations you can realistically place on yourself at that point. There is no replacement for that. It just comes with being there before. Going into the Olympics will be similar, even though I have been on World Championships teams and will bank on those feelings and emotions, it will be a little different, I think.
OHRunners: What are your expectations for the Olympics? Do you see yourself moving through the semi’s and reaching the finals?
Bridget: I plan on making my first major Championship Final this year at the Olympics...if/when I do that, ANYTHING is possible in the finals!!!
I am motivated by the hope that this career of mine could mean more to the rest of the world than me simply fulfilling MY dream. I LOVE traveling and being in Europe all summer and that is what motivates me to train hard the rest of the year and do well at the early meets, especially the ones that count.
OHRunners: Bridget. Thank you so much for your time. Congratulations again. We will be watching and with you every step. Stay healthy. Exceed your dreams and run beyond your expectations.