Bowerman Track Club Standout is Healthy After Taking Six Months Off

By Scott Bush

Last year, right around this time, Emily Infeld received word she had a sacral stress fracture. After having an excellent 2013 season, it would take the former Georgetown All-American six months to where she could really start training again. Despite the set back, the upbeat Infeld is excited and ready to race this weekend at the .US National 12K. One of the key contenders for a top five finish Sunday, we caught up with the Bowerman Track Club star, chatting about her road back from injury, her expectations to the weekend and what her favorite baby animal is (take your best guess!).

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Scott Bush (SB): You’re back racing, having some good results and seem to be training 100%. While the 12 km distance might be a little longer than your specialities, you have to be feeling pretty confident heading into Sunday's race, right?

Emily Infeld (EI): This year has been weird and it was tough after taking 5.5 months off to get back into training. I have been putting consistent mileage in and while my workouts haven't been outstanding they have been consistent and I've been improving. I know I have a great base but there is still a lot more room to grow. The field in this race both intimidates and excites me; I want to put myself in the race and see how long I can hang for!

SB: You finished sixth recently at the Tufts 10k and seemed a little disappointed afterwards. How come?

EI: I think I was frustrated just because I wish I was in better shape and didn't fade as badly the last mile. I put myself in the race but just didn’t have quite the fitness to keep up with the women ahead of me. I was happy overall considering my workouts and the shape I was in but I'm competitive and don't like losing; but more so I was upset that my last mile was pretty pathetic. Looking back, I am happy with my performance and am trying to keep every race in perspective.

SB: You had an injury late last year that pretty much knocked you out of competition until a couple months ago. Can you talk about the injury a little and what it was like to have to sit on the sidelines for so long?

EI: I had a sacral stress fracture about a year ago (I got it right before the 12k last year). Unfortunately, it just took a long time to heal; I took almost six months off of running. I've never had an injury before and had never taken more than a few days off of running since high school so it was just really weird. I went through a bit of a funk for most of the winter and was just frustrated with how long my body was taking to heal. But, I think it has motivated me to get back out there and be tough. 

Injuries are never fun but can be a great learning experience; I have definitely been a bit more conservative in training, especially initially. I have such a great support system with my team of Pascal, Jerry, and some great PTs (Drew,

Karl and Ryan) and honestly felt like I would have gone crazy without them. It stinks that injuries play such a big role in our sport but I feel like I need to always remember it and have it motivate me!

SB: With a very limited 2014 season up to this point, will you run any more races this year after the .US National 12K? 

EI: I am planning on running the San Jose Turkey Trot and then Club XC Nationals in Pennsylvania. But, I have my eyes on track, I feel like I've been out of the game for so long and can't wait to get back!

SB: With the success you've seen over the past few years, do you think you'll start to really hone in on one event in 2015 or will you continue to dabble anywhere from 1,500m-10k on the roads?

EI: I am not sure, I think I will, so a mix of events, I haven't run a 5k on the track since the 2012 Trials and have never run a 10k on the track, so I definitely want to give it a go. But I will play it by ear and cater it based on training. I am just gonna let Jerry decide whatever he thinks, he knows way more than me!

SB: Enough about running...you live in Portland. What's your favorite activity or two to do in the city that's going to host the 2016 World Indoor Championships?

EI: I am obsessed with the farmers markets here! There is one just about every day in the late spring to early fall. Also tons of yummy restaurants, I love going out to eat.

SB: Finally, the question we've all wanted to ask. You post a bunch of cute baby animal pictures on Twitter, but what's your favorite baby animal?

EI: Haha, I am embarrassed, but can't hide my love for cute lil’ critters! Baby giraffes are my fave  :)