| Carolyn Rauen School: Cincinnati Turpin Hometown: Cincinnati Age: 16 PR's: 800 - 2:16 1600 - 5:02 3200 - 10:56 5k - 18:00 Major Acheivements: USATF JO XC 13-14 National Champion; 2001 State TEam Champs; Competed/will compete in 3 State Championships this year - XC, Swimming, Track; Academic All-Ohio (3.9 gpa) |
| OGXC: You were able to double in the 1600/3200 at Regionals, and control both races, how did you prepare for the double? CR: My training prepares me for my races and I like to think of it as a 5k with an hour rest in the middle! OGXC: Speaking of the double, why both events? are you currently planning to run both at State? cr: Why not? Yes, I plan on running both. OGXC: Heading into the state meet, what are your goals? Do you have a certain time or place in mind? CR: I would like to PR in both events and earn points to help our team. OGXC: How do you expect the state track meet will differ mentally from the state cross country meet? Will you prepare differently? CR: I have to remain focused throughout the meet, because it's more than one race. I will definitely prepare myself differently because I was not happy with my performance at State in cross country. OGXC: You're only a sophomore now, what are your goals for your high school career? What are your long-term running goals? CR: I would like to keep improving my times and continue to help my team succeed. Also, I want to qualify to the cross coutry Footlocker National Championships. OGXC: What is a typical week of training like for you? CR: We do about 40 miles per week with 2 workouts plus meets. Higher repetitions at longer distances early in the season. Later in the season, we cut back to 25-30 miles per week with shorter, faster interval workouts. OGXC: What type of training did you do over the winer to prepare for track? CR: Regretfully, I didn' t run from Thanksgiving till March. Although, I did swim competitively for my school team and competed at State. (200FR and 200MR - Ed. note) OGXC: Turpin appears to be the dominant girls running program in the state right now, how did it get there? CR: We work hard and have fun. OGXC: Who was the most influential person in your running career? Who got you started in the sport? CR: My older brother ran for his high school and I used to attend his meets. When I started junior high I was eager to follow in his footsteps. Coaches Jeff Branhan and Steve Nester have helped me to keep improving and continue to love running. OGXC: If you could go on a run with anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be and WHY? CR: Michael Jordan. I'm not sure how often he runs, but I admire his competitivenss and personal drive. I would really like to meet him. OGXC: Did you ever participate in any other sports? CR: I currently play four Varsity sports for Turpin: cross country, soccer, Swimming, and track. I've swam and played soccer since I was 6. I started running at age 13. (See what I mean, she starts running at 13 and wins the national XC title a year later and she runs an 18 flat 5k WHILE playing soccer! I'm telling you, phenom. - Ed. note) OGXC: What are some of your interests outside running? CR: I'm involved with student council, and my other sports. I enjoy hanging out with my firends and teammates. OGXC: So, Carolyn, any words of wisdom or advice for other runners or anything else you'd like to say? CR: Remember to run over the winter, April can be a killer! Strive for your dreams with a positive attitude and have fun!! My thanks to Carolyn for this great interview. I hope to catch up with her in the next couple of years and follow her progress! |
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| Carolyn (Right) with teammate Corey Randall at the Dayton Memorial earlier this year. |