Laurel Park
10/10/2006

Ann Arbor, MI

Laurel has been a successful runner for over 25 years now. Her first taste of fame came when she was an all-state cross country runner in 1979 while attending South Lyon High. Laurel attended the U of M competing on the XC/Track program and was all conference in the 10k. Laurel took to the roads after college and made what appears to be a smooth transition. She qualified for the world half marathon team in 95 and 96 and has ran road personal best of 4:49 in the mile all the way up to 1:14.11 in the half marathon. Read on to find out what Laurel has been up to and how she feels about running after 40.

RM: You have the distinction of being the best female master runner in Michigan and probably one of the best in the US. How does that make you feel and did you always know that you will still be burning up the roads after 40?

LP: First and foremost, being able to run as well as I have is very, very satisfying. As some people may know, I was seriously injured about seven years ago - a variety of bio mechanical problems in my back and hips that had literally brought my running to a complete halt. I physically could not run, and there was a period of time when it looked as though I would not be able to run at all, much less at a competitive level. At about the same time, my husband's (Rich Stark) running career came to an abrupt end due to lower back injuries. So my perspective on running in general - and competitive running in particular - is much different than it was a decade ago. I'm thrilled just to be able to do it, and doing well is really the icing on the cake. Did I know I'd still be "burning up the roads after 40"? No. When I was 38, I didn't think I'd even be able to raise the surface temperature of the roads. But when I was able to run again, and then run well again, I just decided to go out, have fun, and see what I could do. That's been my philosophy for the past several years.

RM: What has your training been the past few years? Do you train year round? Do you have a specific base period, speed segment, long run?

LP: My training is very simple: 40-45 miles/week, at about 7:00 pace. A "long run" for me these days is 8 miles, and that's pushing it (don't do those very often). Most of my runs are between 5-7 miles. I don't do speed, other than a few 100-meter strides at the end of my runs, because my body simply can't handle the stress of hard training. (5K races count as my "speed work".) In the winter I run on my treadmill, but I stick to the same routine. I have to temper my "competitive fire" with the reality that my body is fragile and those bio mechanical problems in my back will never be "cured" but merely "managed." I have some very real physical constraints on the type and the amount of training I can do.

Do I wonder how fast I could run if I were able to train harder? You bet. But, I also know that I would more than likely end up on sidelines injured instead and it's just not worth the risk. I'm pretty happy with what I have.

RM: You had quite the successful summer with several wins and many great performances. What would you say was your best race this summer and why?

LP: Hands down, the Brian Diemer Amerikam 5K. I've wanted one of those tractor trophies for years! I'd been running well through the spring and figured I had a legitimate chance at getting the master's tractor. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I had a shot at the overall win - and to run sub-17:00 doing it. I got home and told my husband, "I can retire now."

RM: What are your plans for racing this fall?

LP: Nothing. My back started getting grumpy in early September, and then I ran the Minster (OH) 10K on October 1, and it did not go well. So, time to shut things down for a while.

RM: How long do you see yourself keeping up the competitive race schedule?

LP: As long as the body holds up and I'm having fun. I've often said that victories and trophies are great, but what I really enjoy is getting out there, running hard, and seeing friends. If it ever stops being fun, then it'll be time to find something new.

 

Thanks for the great interview Laurel! (Interview conducted by Nick Cordes)

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