An Interview with Linda Somers-Smith

Linda Somers-Smith has qualified for six consecutive Olympic Trials marathons. In 1996 she placed second, and qualified for the Olympic Team. In Atlanta that summer, she placed 31st overall. Somers-Smith qualified for the 2008 Olympic Trials with a 2:41:04 finish at the Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon in January.

Boston Athletic Association: You and Joan Benoit Samuelson are the only women in this year's race to have qualified for the Olympic Trials six times. What has motivated you to keep competing at such a high level for that amount of time?

Linda Somers-Smith: That is one of the few times my name will be mentioned in the same sentence as Joan Benoit’s which is really cool.

Up until 2004, my motivation was related to performance and I kept running as long as I kept running well, so it was relatively easy to stay motivated.

In 2002 and 2003, I had a lot of back pain and training was not fun, so I started to consider not competing any longer. I elected to make the 2004 Trials my last race. In 2005, I ended up getting surgery and that cleared up my back pain. In 2004, I had bunion surgery, which I had put off way too long because I was concerned about how it would impact my ability to run. After the surgeries, I started running again and had no pain. Running was fun again and this in itself was motivating.

B.A.A.: What was your emotional reaction to qualifying for the Olympic Trials this time around? Excited? Relieved? Joy?

L.S.S.: My emotional reaction was initially relief, primarily because I was injured going into the race and wasn’t sure I would be able to finish. After the relief, I would say my reaction was satisfaction. I wasn’t joyful, just satisfied.

B.A.A.: You left the sport after the 2004 Olympic Trials. I know injuries had a lot to do with it -- how hard was it to get back to a competitive level both physically and mentally?

L.S.S.: It actually was not hard to get back into shape as I stayed relatively fit by swimming and lifting weights. The hard part has been staying uninjured. I have a desk job and sitting all day is not good for flexibility and neither is age and the years of pounding. In addition, I find it difficult as an athlete to age gracefully, which basically means I try to train harder than my body will allow me.

Mentally, it is hard to do workouts that are so far off from what you were able to do in the past. The mind is willing, but the body isn’t. I go back and forth on my level of commitment and have to say that it’s about 50 percent of what it was when I was at my best. I can easily talk myself out of running and am completely unable to motivate myself for a second run in a day. I just don’t want to do it.

B.A.A.: In a nutshell and without focusing on the race – what was the experience of being an Olympian like? What did it mean to you personally? What did it mean to represent your country? What was it like to stay in the Village and compete alongside all of the world’s best athletes?

L.S.S.: Well, I have mixed feelings about being an Olympian. The experience itself was incredible. I have compared it to having a backstage pass to the best event in the world. Everything surrounding the race was great. The race itself, however, was stressful. Even now, I find myself apologizing for not getting a medal. When people learn I was on the Olympic team, they ask the same questions - For what country? And what place did you get? Finishing 31st doesn’t suggest overwhelming success. Other than the Olympic event experience, the best thing about being on the Olympic Team was that I had set a goal to make the team and did it. Many people who strive for such a goal never achieve it, so I was incredibly happy to accomplish what I set out to do.

B.A.A.: How have you been able to manage your training and your legal career? Does one provide an escape from the other? Both seem to be high-intensity.

L.S.S.: Running is a definite escape from my job because it is simple and straightforward. Work is anything but. When dealing with complex situations with a multitude of motivations and issues, I find that going for a run or a swim can completely clear my head. Of course, it is instantly cluttered again, but at least I have some moments of relative peace at the beginning of the day.

B.A.A.: Does the size and competitiveness of the field change the race at an Olympic Trials as opposed to a Chicago or a Boston Marathon? Are runners more aggressive? Is there a need to stay with the field? What should fans who have seen the Boston Marathon expect from the Olympic Trials?

L.S.S.: I think runners are more aggressive and foolish, but it also depends on the level of the runner. For younger and less experienced runners, the race can be difficult because once you qualify, you are seen by the general population as a possible Olympian, regardless of whether you have a realistic chance of making the team. This external pressure plays games and causes some people to forget to race within their limits. In addition, the pressure can add another layer of mental discomfort that increases the perception of pain during the race. The runners will also see the other athletes over and over again during the race, meaning that there’s no place to hide. In most races, once you pass a group, you can mentally relax and look forward. With this course there will be no chance to rest and relax as the athletes will be constantly cognizant of who is ahead and behind and by how far.

For the top runners, I don’t think the race is any different from any other world class marathon. You are there to run fast, place as high as possible. In addition, unless someone does something incredibly foolish, it will be key to stay with the leaders. For those in packs further back, the benefit of pack running will depend on the wind. If it’s windy, then pack running would be advised, if it isn’t, it won’t matter as competitors will be falling off pace throughout the race, which offers a competitive incentive to those behind.

As for the fans, they should expect a much tighter and exciting race given the setup. Obviously, the spectators will have a much easier time following the athletes and witnessing strategies develop and unfold during the race.

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

L.S.S.: I want to wake up feeling well, run well and smart start to finish without too many blisters or other aches and pains. Based on my current level of fitness, I should be in the top 20, but at this age, it is not always easy to predict how one will feel on any given day.