This fall, Erin Finn wasn't her old self. Something was amiss with the standout senior from West Bloomfield High School in Michigan. Last year, Finn had a few "decent" runs. She had won two Michigan state titles (XC and the 3200m), took second at Foot Locker Finals, set the national indoor record in the 5k at New Balance Indoor Nationals with her winning time of 16:19.69, and ran 4:47.08 for the mile at the adidas Grand Prix.

Not too shabby.

However, this fall was different. Finn didn't seem like the front running star we had known. We caught up with Erin who explained her summer, her running troubles, and why she's back, baby.

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In the month of June, you were on fire on the track. After running 10:17.86 for 3200m, 4:47.09 for the mile, and 16:58.77 for 5000m, what goals and expectations did you set for the fall?

Well first of all, thanks! I was really proud of my mile PR; I ran ten seconds faster than I had ever before!! (My 1600 PR was 4:55, and my mile Dream Mile time converts into a 4:45.)  However, after running 16:19 indoors, I wasn't too happy with my 5000m season close.  The weather was really warm and I got dehydrated.  Nevertheless, it was a great learning experience!  Now, that won't happen again.

I always tend to set lofty goals.  I am not of the belief that you should set easily-achieved goals so that you never have to settle with disappointment.  Rather, I believe that the only way you can achieve things is by dreaming and that failure facilitates future success.  I therefore came into the season hoping to run a 5000m cross country course in under 17:00.  I also wanted to perform well at nationals and once again be selected to run on the USA Junior team in the Great Edinburgh Run.

What's a typical summer training block for you?

This summer I increased both my mileage and intensity.  My goals required a large amount of work, so I was dedicated to training more and with more intelligence.  I averaged around 60 miles a week and regularly did pool workouts and core exercises.

When the cross season started, how did daily training and racing feel?

Summer cross country training felt incredible.  I felt stronger than I ever had before and my workouts seemed to be showing my new found strength.  Unfortunately, as September began, I grew increasingly tired for no apparent reason.  I brushed this off as adjusting to school and the changing hours of light.  I caught a virus that plagued our school and also blamed my slowing times on that.

However, I grew more and more tired.  This soon began to affect my workouts and even races.  After a few bad races, I began to realize that something was wrong.

What point during the season did you and your coach raise any red flags for concern?

After the Oakland County Championships on October 6, I told my coach that my legs were tired, but not like they ought to be after a race.  I just had nothing in me to give in races.  I did not know what was wrong and feared that I had just become a worse runner.

The following day, after earlier blood tests and appointments, I was diagnosed with an iron deficiency.  I was actually ecstatic to find this out, for it granted me the peace of mind that I was not a worse runner, just a sick one.  (This excitement soon died down though :] ).  The hardest part of enduring my iron deficiency was staying mentally tough and reminding myself that I was on my way to becoming the runner that I knew I was.

How has your training been since you were diagnosed?

After I was diagnosed with my iron deficiency, I lowered my mileage and increased my rest.  However, I tried to continue to do workouts in order to maintain my fitness.  The most essential change in training that I made was adding red meat and iron supplements to my diet.  I tried to incorporate sources of iron into every meal, once even eating liver (notice ONCE!).  As time passed, I grew stronger and stronger and returned to regular training.  The few weeks prior to the Michigan State Cross Country Finals involved a larger amount of work than I have done in the past to replace what I missed when I was most tired in order to prepare me for post season meets.  Training is almost back to normal now! (hooray!)



If your training wasn't going as planned, what else do you do in your free time to take your mind off running?

I have a lot to do to take my mind off of running!  I am enrolled in a few difficult classes in school, including AP Physics C and AP BC Calculus, so I am often studying or doing other work involving my classes.  I really enjoy exploring math and science, so I am frequntly found looking up other tidbits of information about these.  I also spent a ton of time with my team; although they sometimes reminded me of running, the bonds that we created helped me to stay confident and happy.  Finally, my mom and I also did a little retail therapy!  I bought a new dress and shoes for our school's homecoming dance and we got our nails done!

Have you altered your goals for this season at all?

I have only slightly altered my goals for this season.  Early this summer, I had planned on competing in both Foot Locker and Nike Cross Nationals.  However, I have chosen only to participate in Foot Locker.  Otherwise, my goals have remained the same.

What will it take for you to be satisfied with this cross country season?

Because I have lofty goals, it takes a lot to satisfy me!  Although this is a corny answer, I will be satisfied if I perform to the best of my ability.  My iron deficiency taught me that some things are out of my control.  All that I can do is try as hard as I can and be as smart as possible.  However, a few post-season wins would also satisfy me :]

You decided to stay in-state and commit the to the University of Michigan for next year. Why did you choose Big Blue over any other school?

I chose the University of Michigan for a myriad of reasons.  I'll make a list (in no particular order) because there are so many!

• U of M has a great engineering program and a great hospital; I want to major in biomedical engineering, so it would have been hard to choose a better place even aside from running
• The girls on the team are very sweet and I can't wait to run with them! I'll be joining past high school national competitors Shannon Osika, Brook Handler, and Taylor Manett
• I really trust Coach McGuire; I think that he knows what he is doing and has had a lot of experience to help sharpen his skills.  He has also coached Olympians.
• U of M is only a 40 minute drive from my house; in case of emergency (or a need for money!) my parents can help me
• U of M is on its way back to the top! We just won the Big Ten and Regional titles!
• I have been born and bred a Wolverine! I have been a big fan my whole life.  Singing "Hail to Victors" feels so right :]
• It's the best school in the world (OK that might be a bit biased)
• I have a great network of supporters there