Big River Interview: Lauren Borduin

Rock Bridge Junior Lauren Borduin enter the 2007 track season as the odds-on favorite to win the 1600 and 800 at the State Meet this coming May. As a sophomore, Borduin finished 3rd in the 1600 and then came back to win the 800 narrowly missing the State Record in the process. Borduin did not play basketball this winter in order to prepare for track and is in great shape heading into the season. Big River caught up with Lauren on the eve of her first official practice of the season.

BR: How are you feeling and how was your winter training gone?

LB: Well, this was actually the first year that I've ever done winter training. I usually play basketball but I decided not to play this year and just focus on track. It's been different. I've never run in the cold before!

BR: I know you ran in the all-comers meet at the University of Missouri. How did that go?

LB: I ran 5:23 I think. Coach said to just go out there and have fun and that's what I did. I was supposed to run in a meet at Arkansas a couple weeks before that but it was the weekend of the ice storm and plus I was sick. My parents said they would risk our lives to drive to Arkansas if I was healthy but not if I was sick! I guess it was probably a good decision.

BR: Something tells me you like the faster stuff more than the distance stuff. After a winter of base training and the cross country season before that are you looking forward to getting back on the track and running fast?

LB: I've been looking forward to that for a while. I love cross but I love being on the track and being fast.

BR: Speaking of cross country, I'm sure you felt some pressure to perform after having such a great State Track Meet. How did this season go for you?

LB: This summer was also the first time I had trained for it. The year before I had actually decided I wasn't going to do it but two weeks into the season my friends woke me up and dragged me out of bed and made me go to practice and I've been doing it ever since. This year I had some troubles with achilles tendonitis and things didn't go exactly as planned but I just look at it as an important part of training. I enjoy cross country because of the close bonds you form with your teammates and having all those friends to support you.

BR: Okay, back to the track. Take us through the 2006 State Meet where you had an absolutely awesome day.

LB: I was just nervous about running period. I was really focused on the 800 so I asked my Coach if I had my position wrapped up if I should just ease it in. He said no way. He told me that it wouldn't matter and that twenty minutes afterwards I'd be ready to go again. He was also forcing me to eat a lot in between my races. I usually don't like to eat much on race day. I guess it worked though. He later admitted to me that he was really nervous and wasn't sure I'd be able to pull it off but he didn't want to tell me that at the time. I was like, 'Oh thanks a lot for having confidence in me!'

BR: Did you think you would run as fast as you did? Was sub 2:10 the goal? [Ed. Note: Borduin won the 800 in 2:09.98 and the State Record is 2:09.78]

LB: The goal was to run as fast as I could. Coach thought I could run in the low teens but things were working out all year. He kept saying if your run this speed then you'll be able to run around this time.

BR: What are the goals for this year then?

LB: Working really hard is my goal. I believe that in running if you put in the hard work that things will fall into place. I can't control what other people do. As long as I push myself hard then I'll be alright.

BR: Any plans for post-season meets this year?

LB: Well last year I did Nike [Outdoor Nationals] and it was really nerveracking but I learned a lot from it. I'd like to do that again and maybe a couple more meets this time.

BR: Okay, I talked to your teammate Phillip King right before I talked to you and I made him tell me about your best attributes as a runner. Tell us a little bit about him and what you like about watching him run.

LB: Phil is just amazing overall. He's so happy all the time. He's like a bright light on the team. He works so hard even when he's hurt and he's always talking about running again. Sometimes we have to slow him down and say 'Come on now you don't want to get hurt again.' He was just in such great shape and I'm glad he got to show that this season.

BR: Last Question. 400 meters. Who wins, you or Phil?

PK: It would be close. Maybe if I tripped him I would definitely win!

Thanks for a great interview Lauren and best of luck this season!!

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