Jan 29, 2004
Mike Franko- Olympic Mens Marathon Trials Views- 1464

Birmingham, AL - RunMichigan was able to talk with Mike Franko the Eastern Michigan University alumni and 2002 Bayshore Marathon Champion. The Traverse City native qualified with an Olympic Trials 'A' Standard when he won the Bayshore Marathon in his hometown. He will be heading to Birmingham, AL to try an earn a spot on the 2004 U.S. Marathon Olympic team.

RunMichigan: How did it feel to qualify for the Olympic Trials “A” standard at your hometown race, the Bayshore Marathon, in 2002?

Mike: It was a great experience. I was helped by my EMU and now Hanson's teammate Clint Verran through about halfway with the idea of hitting a 'B' qualifying time. I felt really easy and picked it up a bit over the last 10 miles or so to assure an 'A' standard mark. When I got to the track a huge crowd from the earlier 10k race had assembled around the track plus a bunch of friends and family along with my High School coaches Don Lukens and John Lober. I count it as a personal highlight of my running career.


RunMichigan: What was the goal for the HP Houston Half-Marathon?

Mike: To see where I was at. I went out at 5:20 pace but after a 5:14 5th mile I was dead in the water and I faded to 1:12:20. So I succeeded in confirming that I was in pretty poor shape.


RunMichigan: What have you learned about the Olympic Trials Marathon course and how will you use that knowledge to help on race day?

Mike: It is downhill the first 9 miles or so and I'll have to be careful not to go too fast early. There is a tough stretch on the criterium section of about two miles uphill that I think it could haunt you if you aren't strong going into it.

RunMichigan: What is your goal for the Olympic Trials Marathon race?

Mike: To run as fast as I am capable of on that day. I think a number of people in the race feel as if they need to somehow transcend themselves on Feb. 7th and have the race of their life. That, unfortunately does not happen very often in a Marathon. The distance will expose you and your training. Everyone would be better off if they could honestly assess themselves and run the pace they are in shape for. But those people who don't have a realistic perspective are the people I hope to beat on that day. When they incinerate in front of me, we'll all know it wasn't because I was more fit than the guys I beat. I'm probably the least fit guy in the field. It was because I ran the best, smartest race I could. Not to say that they are doing anything wrong by chasing their dream and laying it all out there, I wish I could too. Unfortunately, it is a part of running that sometimes injuries stop you from being where you want to be.


RunMichigan: What are some of the benefits about being part of the Hansons-Brooks ODP?

Mike: The group aspect is the biggest. The power of a true day-to-day group atmosphere is extremely motivating and lends itself to a higher degree of consistency than any other arrangement I have been a part of. Brooks is a really classy sponsor. They have worked with us in product development and been very responsive to our suggestions. I feel they are unique in there understanding of what Hanson's is all about and are really a great asset to the program. Keith and Kevin Hanson are obviously a big reason why I came to Hanson's as well. They have a solid training philosophy and are good motivators. They have also been extremely patient with my injury problems where many sponsors and coaches might not be.


RunMichigan: What type of training have you been doing over the last two months to prepare for the trials race on Feb 7th?

Mike: It has been really sporadic due to injury. I have averaged less than 80 miles per week with only two weeks at 100. There have also been some horrible weeks mixed in there of 20 or 30 miles when my knee was really hurting. Normally I'd try for 12 weeks of 125 or so. The last 3 weeks have been better though, so I hope I will round into shape just in time.

RunMichigan: What type of training will you do this last week before the trials race on Feb 7th?

Mike: One more longish run of 14 to 16 miles and one more workout of some combination of 6 to 10 miles just slower than race pace. The remainder will be just easy running and rest.


RunMichigan: How long did you live down in Texas and how did your training down their get you in such good shape to run under 2:20 at Bayshore?

Mike: I lived in TX for just under 3 years. I was healthy while I was there and it allowed me to run nearer to my potential than I had before. Unfortunately I had to have surgery on my left knee in September '02 and it has never bounced back very well. Now my right knee has been injured since August and may need surgery after the trials.

RunMichigan: What made you move back to Michigan to train for the trials?

Mike: To run with the Hanson group. I believe in the system and the training. I like the guys and thought it would benefit my training. Barring injury I think I would be at an entirely different level now because of the training at Hanson's, it just hasn't worked out that way.

RunMichigan: Where is your favorite place to run in Michigan? And what do you like most about growing up in Michigan?

Mike: I love Northern Michigan in the summer. Growing up in Traverse City was great. There are a number of trails that seemingly go on forever, the Old Mission Peninsula is awesome and there is something about hauling ass down Front St. in Traverse City in front of all the mirrored shop windows that is really fun. I love it up there.