An Interview with Michelle Lilienthal

Michelle Lilienthal is one of the youngest qualifiers for the Trials–and also one of the fastest, boasting a PR of 2:35:51. She recently relocated to Minneapolis, MN, where she will be training with Team USA Minnesota.

Boston Athletic Association: How did you first become involved in the sport, and when did you first realize you had a future as a distance runner?

Michelle Lilienthal: I used to play volleyball but was awful, my dad made me realize I was too scrawny to ever be a decent volleyball player. After he talked me out of playing volleyball he talked me into running cross country my sophomore year of high school. I realized that season I could be a good high school runner but it wasn’t until my junior track season that I realized I would be able to run in college and have a future in the sport.

B.A.A.: You moved up to the marathon distance shortly after graduating from college, running 2:49 in 2005. Were you always drawn to the longer distance races?

M.L.: I haven’t always been drawn to the longer races. In college I hated the 10,000m. I would find myself not focusing in the middle of the race and then before I knew it the race was over and I wasn’t even tired. So I never thought I would be racing – and actually enjoying – the marathon!

B.A.A.: In the year following your 2:49 you cut your PR down to 2:40 then 2:35. What did you learn from your first experiences with the marathon distance that led to such swift improvement?

M.L.: My first marathon can be defined as “amateur hour.” I had no clue what I was doing, so I learned a lot from that race. I learned how important long runs and tempo workouts are; how important tapering is; figure out what you need to do so you don’t have to stop at a porta potty during the race!; and never underestimate yourself – you would be surprised what your body will let you do if your mind is on board for the challenge.

M.L.: My high school coaches Tom Mittman and Steve Sherwood, hands down. They have been my coaches, friends, and fans throughout my entire career, from high school until now. They both have a genuine love for the sport and instilled that in me from the time I was 15. They taught me to work hard to achieve my goals and always knew what to say and do to push me to my limits. They have given me continuous support regardless of the circumstances; they have never failed me during hard times of training, racing or being injured.

B.A.A.: What are your goals for the remainder of the 2007 season? And for 2008?

M.L.: Everything I do between now and April is with the goal in mind of racing well at the Trials. My goal for the rest of 2007 is to get solid training in and my goal for 2008 is to be in the top three at the Trials.

B.A.A.: What motivates you to keep running at such a high level?

M.L.: I am so competitive with myself that the only motivation I need is the desire to see how fast I can get.

B.A.A.: Speak a little bit about your training philosophy, how it has evolved over the years, and what (if anything) you are doing differently as you prepare for the Trials.

M.L.: I run more mileage than I did in college and I focus on a doing a solid long run and a tempo workout every week. Between now and the Trials, every run and workout has a purpose.

B.A.A.: You recently joined Team USA Minnesota. Were you training on your own previously?

M.L.: I was training with the Philadelphia Track Club but would do the majority of my training on my own. We had a great group that would meet for long runs and I would meet up with people a couple times a week for runs, but the majority of my workouts were solo.

B.A.A.: What prompted your decision to join Team USA Minnesota, and what do you hope to gain from the experience?

M.L.: Having a coach in the same city, access to medical support, and having teammates that are committed to training hard and running fast but are also balanced and fun are the reasons I came to Team USA Minnesota.

B.A.A.: When did you first begin to dream of competing in an Olympic Trials event? And when did you first begin to dream of being an Olympian?

M.L.: I never thought the Olympic Trials would be realistic in any event, especially the marathon because I never thought I would run one competitively. When I ran my first marathon in 2:49 and learned the Trial's standard was 2:47 I got motivated to get the standard. Then I ran a minute off the A standard and then wanted to achieve that. My desire to race fast never changed from the time I ran 2:49 to when I ran 2:35, but the reality of being in the mix at the Trials did, and that is when I started dreaming about finishing in the top three in Boston.

B.A.A.: Describe your feelings and emotions when you first qualified for the Olympic Trials. What did that accomplishment mean to you?

M.L.: At the time I qualified for the Trials it was still two years away so I was just happy to have achieved a goal I set for myself. Thinking about how I actually qualified to compete for a spot on the Olympic team didn’t set in until much later. It made me really motivated and excited to train hard and race well.

B.A.A.: What was your reaction when you heard that the Trials were going to be held in Boston on the day before the 112th Boston Marathon?

M.L.: I ran one of my best races ever in Boston so I was excited. I can’t think of a better place to race considering that the crowd support that weekend will be unbelievable with everyone in town for the Boston Marathon. The race is organized so well and the whole city supports the race, I am really excited. 

B.A.A.: Do you have any specific goals or expectations for the Trials that you're willing to share?

M.L.: I want to run with intention. If you are going to run just to be in the top 10 then why race? I want to run as fast as I possibly can and be a fierce competitor for one of those three spots.

M.L.: Hang out with friends, go on random adventures, and explore the city I am in.

B.A.A.: Have you ever competed at a high level in a sport other than long distance running?

M.L.: Yes, soccer, volleyball, tennis, gymnastics, and softball…"high level" of embarrassment that is.

B.A.A.: What is something interesting that the running community may not know about you?

M.L.: I have eight toes on my right foot. Just kidding, I only have six.