An Interview with Lauren Matthews

Lauren Matthews, the 181st and final qualifier for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Women's Marathon, talks about going to school in Boston, qualifying in a unique race, and getting married on the Olympic Trials course.

Boston Athletic Association: Did you compete in any other sports growing up?

Lauren Matthews: I was always moving as a kid and was on several basketball and soccer teams. I was never that good, but you can’t cut 6-year-olds and by the time they could make cuts, I was fit enough to get from one end of the court to the other before most people. I guess they figured somebody was better than nothing.

B.A.A.:How did you first become involved in running – and when did you first realize that you had a future as a distance runner?

L.M.: I ran here and there through 8th grade so I could keep in shape for other sports. I made the cross country team my freshman year of high school and was competitive for my age group, but my primary focus was on basketball until my junior year. I knew that I was never going to be quick, so I figured distance running.

I don’t think I really thought of myself having a future as a distance runner, but it has always been a fun part of my life. I really appreciate the fact that USA Track & Field has kept the Olympic Trials qualifying standard at a competitive mark, but one that also promotes long distance running and a larger pool of women, not just a handful of the super elite. Being a part of this race has been a dream for me and I appreciate the opportunity just to be there.

B.A.A.: You graduated from Boston University, could you tell us a little about your career there?

L.M.: We had good cross country teams my sophomore and senior year, making nationals. I was a middle of the pack cross country runner and did well in our conference 5K and 10K races. I set a personal record in the 10K during my sophomore year and another personal best in the 5K during my senior year. They’re a little embarrassing to list on this website, so I’ll just leave it at that.

B.A.A.: Having gone to school along the route, talk a little bit about what the Boston Marathon means for the college kids, aside from having off classes?

L.M.: I wish I had an inspirational answer to this question…. However, for most people I think it was just a day to party. The students are very encouraging to runners along the course, but we didn’t have a true appreciation of, and respect for the race.

B.A.A.: So you’d be an expert on the City of Boston. Care to make some recommendations for your fellow competitors on what they should see, eat and do while they’re in town?

L.M.: If you’re looking for great pasta, I highly recommend the North End. People who are staying at the Sheraton will be right by Newbury Street and that is a great place for people watching, shopping and some good food. There are some great museums – the MFA, the Science Museum, a newly renovated Institute of Contemporary Art, and if you can get tickets to a Red Sox game, it’s a great time.

B.A.A.: Your qualifying race at the Green Lake Marathon was quite unique, 12 starters and five finishers, including four Trials qualifiers. Could you tell us a little bit about the circumstances and the purpose of the race?

L.M.: The race was first put on in the fall because a woman wanted a close, low key marathon to try and qualify for the Trials. I had tried to qualify several times over the last two years and didn’t have the emotional or financial resources to travel to another big marathon, so I thought I would try and use this course. I had two guys run with me the whole way and a few other people used it as a training run but stopped after various distances. Three other finishers were under 2:47, but they were men, so I was the only person to qualify from this particular race.

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

L.M.: The race was my sixth try. I have had numerous dreams/nightmares about qualifying and not qualifying, so I was waiting to wake up one way or the other. My husband was holding the finish line tape and gave me a huge hug and then I got really excited. I called my parents, who have been incredibly supportive of my running throughout the years, and they were really excited as well. I’m glad that I kept trying. This race is even more special because five of my running friends also qualified so we will all be there together.

B.A.A.: Are you currently training with a coach and a team or on your own?

L.M.: I am running for Club Northwest and I am coached by Tom Cotner. I do most of my runs with several other local women.

B.A.A.: What are your goals and expectations for the Olympic Trials Marathon in Boston? 

L.M.: I qualified five weeks before the race, so I am just hoping to have fun that day and I’ll run as hard as I can. I feel really lucky and grateful just to be on the starting line in the presence of some truly gifted athletes. I’m just going to enjoy the moment and root for another hometown athlete, Katie O’Neill, to make the team.

B.A.A.: What advantages do you have from having lived in Boston and having familiarity with the course itself?

L.M.: I have done a lot of training runs along different parts of the course, but I don’t know how advantageous that will be. My guess is that it will be important to tuck behind people because it can be windy along the Charles River in the spring. I am hoping that a lot of friends will be along the course and that is always very motivating.

B.A.A.: How would you characterize your training philosophy, and how has it evolved over the years?

L.M.: I don’t think I have a particular running or training philosophy. I benefit from higher mileage and consistent speed work. I have learned to listen to my body more over the years and my coach Tom Cotner gives me great workouts.

L.M.: There hasn’t been any huge challenge. I love running. Like a lot of people who are a part of this race, running is just one of many parts of my life. I think the hardest part has been balancing the hours it takes to train with the other roles I have. I place a lot of value on my relationships, on my job, on being a good student and on running. Sometimes it would be great if there were just a few more hours in the day…

B.A.A.: Who has been your biggest influence in running?

L.M.: I love training because of the other women with whom I run. My high school coach, Michael Glennon, was also a huge influence in allowing me, and many of my teammates, to develop our running potential and a love for the sport.

B.A.A.: What are your goals for the 2008 season, beyond the Olympic Trials?

L.M.: I am going to take a break from marathon training. I want to focus on fun summer road races and cross country in the fall.

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

L.M.: The course goes by the hotel where I got married last summer.

Interview conducted for the B.A.A. by Jake Duhaime.