5 Questions with Emily Infeld

Published by the Daily Relay on October 22, 2013

Welcome back to 5 Questions, where we pick the brains of people from all areas of the running scene. Today, we were lucky enough to catch up with Emily Infeld as she continues her strong season on the roads. Follow her on Twitter @emily_infeld and Instagram.

5 Questions with Emily Infeld

1. Daily Relay: Congratulations on your recent runner up finish at the Tufts Health Plan 10k for Women. Between that and your win at Wharf to Wharf, you have put up two strong longer races on the roads. What did you take away from each of those races, and did you surprise yourself at all?

Emily Infeld: I was really excited about both races, especially since the longer distance intimidated me. I always loved cross country in college, but I thought of myself as a 1500 meter runner who was just starting to move up to the 5k. My coach, Jerry Schumacher, focuses a lot on strength based training and gave me confidence going into both races. I have trained harder this year and focused on much longer workouts than previously, but still wasn’t sure this would translate to racing. I also just love to race and figured I would stick my nose in both races and just go out with the leaders and see how long I could hang with them. The 6 mile road race was the longest I had raced at that point in time and the 10k is now my longest race. This intimidated me a bit, but I am starting to really like the longer races!

2. Daily Relay: You missed much of the championship track season this year, then came on with a nice 3000 late in the season, as well as a runner up finish at the road 5k champs. What kind of ailments were you battling over the spring and early summer and is it fair to say you are completely recovered at this point?

Emily Infeld: I really increased my training this year: mileage, intensity of all runs, and intensity and length of workouts; on top of this we were training most of the year at altitude. I had never trained at altitude before and didn’t fully realize how much of a toll it took on the body. Along with not adjusting to the altitude well, I think I got greedy and just kept pushing myself. I got myself in a bit of a hole n training. I have gotten better with communicating with my coach and listening to my body; take a day off or an easy day when needed. I have also been just training at sea level since July. I am feeling fit and getting excited for a couple more road races!