5 Questions with Ciaran O'Lionaird

Ciaran "Mad Len" O'Lionaird rode his
mullet all the way to the 2011 World
Championship final in Daegu
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Today we have another Olympian for our 2012 London Olympics 5 Questions with series. Although, this time it's not an American that I traded emails with. It's one of Ireland's brightest young stars that attended college, and currently trains, in the United States.

Ciaran O'Lionaird had a big 2011. After leading the Florida State Seminoles to a surprise runner-up finish at the 2010 NCAA Cross Country Championship, he had a strong, but disappointing finish to his collegiate track season. That's when things got exciting. He had an excellent string of races that netted him a 3:34.46 PR in the 1500 and landed him in the 2012 World Championship Final. He's fought through injury this year, but is coming around in time to compete in his first Olympic Games for his native Ireland. Check out his webpage GoCiaran.com and follow him on Twitter @GoCiaran

5 Questions with Ciaran O'Lionaird

1. Writing About Running: First off, congratulations on being selected for the Irish Olympic team. Ireland has a long tradition of great milers. What does it mean to you to be able to carry on that legacy at the Olympic level?

Ciaran O'Lionaird: Thank you very much. I'm really excited to represent my country naturally, but the fact I'm competing in an event that presents such a rich heritage for Ireland makes it that much better. Though I managed a breakthrough last year in the 1500, I still feel like I'm really new to the event, given my injury history. To be able to draw on the experience of Eamonn Coghlan and Mark Carroll has been a big positive factor, especially dealing with negative scenarios, such as this achilles injury. I'm hoping I can do Irish middle distance running justice there and I know we have a lot of talented young runners coming through to help continue that process.

2. Writing About Running: Your excellent 2011 that landed you in the World Championship Final had to open your eyes to what is possible. How much did that run of excellent racing change your long term goals in the sport?

Ciaran O'Lionaird: It definitely caused me to re-adjust my goals long-term and start looking at consistent high-placing in finals, which is a good thing, but it also perhaps filled me with a little too much excitement, as I felt I pushed too hard coming back off Daegu in the autumn as I wanted to make another jump for London. My body still isn't able to handle the training that most 3:34 runners do, and because of that, I need to take a step back and allow myself to develop as a runner and almost grow into the role I've cast for myself through my run at World's last year, as opposed to pushing the envelope constantly.

Leading Florida State to a surprise second place finish
at the 2010 NCAA Cross Country Championship
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

3. Writing About Running: You recently switched training camps and have been training with Mark Rowland and Oregon Track Club Elite. How has the change gone and who are you working out with in Eugene?

Ciaran O'Lionaird: The change has gone very smoothly. I'm extremely thankful of course to Coach Rowland, all of the OTC and Tracktown USA family, but also to Nike Running, the Oregon Project and Alberto (Salazar) for being understanding and facilitating the change. It was a really difficult decision for me to make and the timing was tough too, but I felt for my long-term development it was the right move. No doubt, Alberto's guys are putting out phenomenal performances and I'm really happy for them. For me though, my running goes well when my life outside running is balanced and not vice-versa. I felt like OTC gave me a better opportunity to achieve that, and so far it's been great. Coach Rowland is an incredible motivator and has really brought me back from what looked like a season-ending injury. I can't express my gratitude enough for that.

4. Writing About Running: You were all over Eugene for the US Olympic Trials and have ties to the American collegiate system as a standout at Florida State. What were a few of your favorite moments at the trials, on and off the track?

Legendary Coach Bob Braman with O'Lionaird
(photo: Athletics Ireland)

Ciaran O'Lionaird: There were definitely some moments that will stick with me, however I also tried to keep my distance from the trials, as I don't like to be immersed too much in the running scene. I actually drove out of town for all of my runs so I could be with myself in the woods and just chilled out. But I definitely cheered on all of my Total Sports US family, as well as my OTC teammates. Seeing Nick (Symmonds) retain his 800m title was special. Off the track I got to hang out with Coach Braman, my coach at FSU, who is one of my closest friends and mentors. I also got to kick it with my agent, Chris Layne, and Stephen HAAS, who works under him. Total Sports took a chance on me when nobody else would last year, so I'm really close with Chris. I call him "Mad Layne" and plan to wear cargo shorts consistently through the Olympics in his honor.

5. Writing About Running: Injuries have plagued you this year, but it sounds like you are starting to round into shape. What kind of racing do you have planned before and after the Olympics in August?

Ciaran O'Lionaird: I'm going to do some tune-up races mid-July before the Games. I'll be racing the mile in Cork, Ireland on July 17th, and from there we'll see. I'm still training hard, so I won't let up until right before the Games. I'm not looking beyond the Olympics right now. Should my body cooperate and opportunities present themselves, I always love to compete. But I'm taking it one race at a time. I've only been on the track less than a month training, but in the past ten days have had some of my best workouts ever. I don't quite know how it's come together, but it has. Credit to Coach Rowland and my support team at OTC as well as AAI HP and the Institute of Sport. Their work in handling my injury is starting to pay dividends!

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5 Questions with Russell Brown

Russell Brown representing
the Oregon Track Club
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Today we have 5 Questions with a former Stanford Cardinal who now competes for the Oregon Track Club and makes fun short films in his spare time with his teammates. He's also a big Red Sox fan!

Russell Brown is in the prime of his career and is taking aim at a spot on the Olympic team this summer. From bursting onto the scene in 2011 with a win in the Mile at the New Balance Grand Prix to his 3:51.45 mile last year at Pre, Brown recently made his biggest leap as a professional runner by hitting the Olympic A Standard in the 1500 meters in Doha. He'll race the mile again at Pre next weekend before gearing up for the 2012 Olympic Trials in his homebase of Eugene, OR. Follow him on Twitter @RussellWBrown

5 Questions with Russell Brown

1. Writing About Running: First off, congrats on the PR at Doha (an Olympic A Standard of 3:34.11). How'd the race go in your opinion and how happy were you go get the "A" out of the way?

Russell Brown: This is my first A standard. As in, this is the first time I have hit an A standard of any kind in my long career. I am ecstatic that I am now a big step closer to going to the Games, absolutely. But it also is a badge of honor for me that runs a little deeper than the procedural benefits it gives. It is a threshold that in some ways declares you a world class athlete. That feels better than anything. I feel like I put myself into a new category, and it's not a category I knew I would be in for sure, ever.

If I was from Lichtenstein, I would be going to the Olympics. That is pretty cool.

2. Writing About Running: You'll be part of a stacked mile at Prefontaine. You ran a PR of 3:51.45 last year. What's it like to be a part of the Bowerman Mile at the most exciting meet in America?

Russell Brown: This might just be the most exciting meet in the world. Tom Jordan didn't even have to pay me to write that either. I was in Doha, which ended up being the fastest race in several years, and I look at the start lists for Pre and can't help but think it's better.

Honestly, it feels like a dream come true. I have been a track fan for a long time, and I have been still been a spectator at more big-time meets than I have run at. Watching those meets, you never quite believe you'll be out there one day. It's like growing up going to Red Sox games every year, and then suddenly becoming a player on the team (that actually is me also, but I'll save that dream for after running).

3. Writing About Running: What else (if anything) do you have in store before the trials?

Russell Brown: I don't have any other races lined up. Getting to Doha was enough travel for a lifetime.

I'm going to run at Hayward field every day like I have been doing for four years and continue to imagine running down the homestretch in 1st, 2nd or 3rd place. I will just train with Andy (Wheating) and AJ (Acosta), and continue to do the things we have been doing. It's pretty amazing that the biggest meet of my life will be on my home track. Why would I want to go anywhere else for the next few weeks?

4. Writing About Running: You've created a new video series/blog with teammate Andrew Wheating entitled "Behind the Stands." How'd all the come about and what can we expect in the future?

Russell Brown: Where do I start? Andy and I really just thought it would be fun to make some videos. I have heard him say he wanted to create some buzz and excitement, but the first time he brought a camera to practice, it was, "I'm recording, do something funny". It has turned into something slightly better than that I suppose, depending upon who you ask.

I think our videos are just an expression of how much fun our sport is. We wanted to show all of the people that do this everyday because it makes them feel good, that that is why we do it too. Money hasn't corrupted track for me, it has just given me the opportunity to do it more. I want to show anyone who cares to see it, that every day I am a runner is great, and I hope it is for them too.

Once again, Brown will line up with the World's
best at the Bowerman Mile at this year's Pre Classic
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

5. Writing About Running: The OTC has had a nice group of mid distance guys for you to train with over the past few years. How have you enjoyed being part of the program and are you ready for the Eugene faithful to have your back at the trials?

Russell Brown: I can't say enough about what it has meant to be a part of my team. The resources and the track knowledge available to me in Eugene are fantastic. There is no way I would be nearly as successful without everybody here. I also just really like everyone affiliated with OTC. Everyday training with these people is fun and exciting. I want to include the broader group of OTC in this too. OTC Elite is a small part of a big organization. I'm connected to hundreds of runners and running enthusiasts that I see and interact with all of the time. It really feels like what we are all doing up here together is important and meaningful, and I need that.

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5 Questions with Bridget Franek

Bridget Franek at World Outdoor in Daegu
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Today we have 5 Questions with the 2010 NCAA Steeplechase Champion and 2012 Team USA Member. She recently ran her first steeple of the year and was under the Olympic A Standard (and is the current World Leader).

Bridget Franek moved from the east coast to the west in 2010 after her All American career at Penn State. Since her NCAA Championship, she's finished second at the 2011 USA Championship and competed at the World Outdoor Championship in Daegu. She'll take aim at an Olympic berth this summer in her current home, Eugene, OR. Follow Bridget on Twitter, check out her blog "Steepling Barriers, Chasing Dreams" and her club profile (where results and race videos are posted).

5 Questions with Bridget Franek

1. Writing About Running: You had an excellent debut at the Oregon Twilight this weekend, running under the Olympic A-Standard in 9:39.77. How’d the race go in your opinion and were you able to execute the way you wanted?

Bridget Franek: I was really happy with my race this weekend. I definitely feel like I have a much faster time in me, but it was a good start. It felt so easy, I had no idea I was cruising so fast until I heard the announcer say the projected time! This part of the season is fun- where we are all getting to see hard work paying off!

2. Writing About Running: You’ve got a history in softball, basketball, volleyball and soccer. Do you think the athleticism that those sports require has helped you excel in the steeple?

Bridget Franek: Yes, because I did those sports through high school, I am young in terms of running years, but I definitely believe that I gained strength and body awareness from them.

3. Writing About Running: You’re now a few years into training out in Eugene. How have you enjoyed your time training with the Oregon Track Club Elite so far?

Franek ran the 5000 at Payton Jordan
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Bridget Franek: The Oregon Track Club is something really special. I now see that it would be very difficult to find the amount of support and commitment we receive from the community and our coaching staff anywhere else in the country. Coach Rowland is unlike any Coach I have ever had and operates on a very professional level, pushing us athletes harder than I have ever been asked to go. It has all taken me time to adjust, but I am very confident that once I do, I will be at a very high level and have the best shot of finding my true potential in the sport. My transition has been made easier with all my help from my sponsors- Nike, PowerBar, and SkinCareForAthletes- all of which make training less painful and much more fun! It has also been an incredibly inspirational and beneficial experience to be able to train with some of the best athletes from all over the world.

4. Writing About Running: With many track fans coming out west this summer for Prefontaine and the Olympic Trials. Do you have any “must” recommendations in Eugene for food, coffee, etc?

Bridget Franek: I love Eugene for all the great places to get good breakfasts- Glenwood, Studio One, Morning Glory, Keystone, and Original House of Pancakes to name a few! There are some really 'healthy' and creative spots for lunch and dinner as well- Laughing Planet, Holy Cow, and PRI are great if you are willing to try something different!

5. Writing About Running: The trials coming up in about 6 weeks, what else do you have planned between now and then?

Bridget Franek: I am hoping to run two more steeplechases- one in Oxidental, CA and then Prefontaine. Coach is happy there are still 6 weeks so that we can get in some more work between now and then too! Yikes!

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