It’s been a very good 2013 season for Emily Infeld. The former Georgetown University All-American kicked off her season with a 4:31.50 indoor mile, 8:41.43 indoor 3k and a USA runner-up 3k performance, all in addition to her fourth place finish at the USA Cross Country Championships and 21st at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships. While a lingering injury kept her out of the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Infeld found good health, strong training and is running very well this fall.

Having finished second at the USA 5 km Championships and runner-up at the NYRR Dash to the Finish 5k, Infeld is showing her skills over the roads and heads into this weekend’s .US National Road Racing Championships as one of the favorites, as she looks to not only win the race, but win the USARC overall title.

We caught up with Infeld this week, where we discussed her expectations for this weekend, how she feels about her 2013 season and much more.

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Scott Bush (SB): You've turned in some great road races this fall. How's training been going and how well prepared do you feel to tackle the 12k distance?

Emily Infeld (EI): Training has been going very well since July. I have been feeling great and was able to keep consistent mileage and get in some really good strength workouts! The length of workouts and intensity is a big increase from college but I feel so strong and feel like I am more adjusted to this type of workload. I am looking forward to running a 12k and see how I can do!

SB: Your 2013 racing season has been a roller coaster ride. What does it mean to you to be closing it out so well?

EI: It means a lot to be able to feel good again running and racing. I was disappointed to miss USAs but afterwards I became really motivated and wanted to get back. I have been really focused and excited with the training I have put in these last few months.

Our sport is so hard in that most of us constantly battle injuries or rough patches but struggling in the spring motivated me to keep working harder and to fully commit to the lifestyle of running and pay closer attention to recovery and rest. This seems to be paying off and I am so happy that racing is going well again!

SB: You've run Olympian Molly Huddle to the line both at the USA 5 km Championships and NYRR Dash to the Finish 5k, finishing second both times. A win has to be in your sights. Is the third time a lucky charm?

EI: Haha. I am so happy to be competing against Molly, I mean she has been dominant in the 5k in the US and is an incredible athlete. It means a ton to be able to hang with her in these last couple races. I always love to win and with the competition in this 12k I know it will be a difficult task with  Molly, Shalane, Kim, Janet, etc., but I will give it everything I have on race day and see what happens!

[editor’s note: Janet Bawcom is no longer competing]

SB: There's a lot at stake on Sunday. Have you given much thought to challenging for the overall USARC win?

EI: I didn't even realize I was in the running for this until last week. It would mean a ton and be a really nice cap on my road racing fall!

SB: Your teammate Shalane Flanagan is entered, too. Any chance you two will work together early on to set the tone for the field?

EI: Shalane is always tough and will run hard and I am planning on working with her to make this a tough race and hopefully get a fast time! She is incredible and I love how she always goes after it in races. I’ll see how I feel on the day and how the race plays out, but if I'm feeling good it will be nice to run with her and make everyone work, myself included.

SB: After Sunday's race, is your racing season officially over or do you have another race or two lined up to finish out the 2013 season?

EI: Yes this will be my last race!! So fingers crossed its a good one.