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Current Public News
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| Emily LeVan: Two Trials |
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| 4/13/2008 |
An All-American field hockey player in high school and college and a former 400 meter runner, LeVan began her marathon career after college and within three years was representing the United States at the World Championship Marathon in Helsinki where she ran her then-personal best time of 2:38:32. Nine months later in Boston, she lowered her P.R. to 2:37:01, where she qualified for the Trials. She has been the top American woman at the Boston Marathon twice, in 2005 and 2006.
Dedication and determination have helped Emily LeVan become one of the top U.S. Women's Marathoners. The same qualities that have propelled her to the start of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials Women's Marathon are ones that she will need as she and her family tackle another, more formidable trial - that of supporting her 4-year old daughter Maddie as she battles Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or A.L.L.. Emily has dedicated her Trials training to Maddie, who is facing her own "trial". In January, LeVan launched Two Trials with the goal of raising $52,000 for the Barbara Bush Maine Medical Center, where Maddie is receiving treatment. To date, she has raised more than $45,000 and Maddie is responding well to her treatment.
Below, Emily talks about her unanticipated rise as an elite marathoner and the delicate balancing act that she has undertaken as she prepares for her Trials run on Sunday.
Q: I guess we can start with the basics: how old are you, where do you live, and what do you do for a living?
A: I am 35. I work at a small community hospital as a nurse in the Emergency Department. I live in Wiscasset, ME.
Q: How long have you been running competitively and when/where did you get started?
A:I started running track and road races as a kid. I was always involved in all kinds of sports. One time, I was playing in a tennis tournament (I was probably in 3rd grade) and I threw a fit because I was losing. I threw my racket and generally acted like an immature brat. My mom took my racket away and said I could have it back when I could act appropriately. After that incident, I started running and never played tennis again, but I think I've learned how to compete and behave appropriately. I ran road races and ran track throughout grade school and high school. I ran track one year at Bowdoin, but then wanted a break. After college, I looked toward the marathon as a fun challenge.
Q: Did you have immediate success or did you have a breakthrough race that convinced you to continue to pursue the sport?
A:In my first marathon in 1998 (Sugarloaf), I had no idea what I was doing. I simply wanted to finish and if possible qualify for Boston. I ran 3:16. A couple of years later, I ran around 3:00 at Boston, and I started to think that I might be OK at this marathoning thing. Then in 2002 at the Maine Marathon I ran 2:47 and qualified for the 2004 Trials. The following spring at Boston, I improved even further to 2:41. So the improvement has been incremental, and I've always balanced the running with work, family, etc.
Q: Were you recruited to run in college?
A:I was looking primarily at DIII schools (NESCAC) schools, which at that time didn't do really hard core recruiting. I met with Coach Slovenski at Bowdoin during my college visit and we both knew I would run at Bowdoin. I guess for me running in college was only small piece of what I wanted out of my college experience. I wanted to be able to take advantage of many of the other opportunities that college had to offer. So, I wouldn't say that really sought out the college for its running.
Q: How did you end up in Boston/NewEngland after college and why did you decide to join the B.A.A.?
A:After college at Bowdoin, my husband and I settled in Maine. As I began to meet with marathoning success, I sought out some support to help me advance further in the sport. Through a couple of running friends, I was connected with Mike Pieroni, Jeff Staab and the BAA. I appreciate the support that the club offers its runners and the fact that it understands that we all have lives and responsibilities outside of running.
Q:How is the Trials different from other races?
A: For one, the Trials only come around every 4 years. You must qualify; only about 180 or so women in the entire country will qualify and get the opportunity to be a part of the race. I see the race as a culmination of years of work and effort. Also, the race provides me the some of the best competition of any marathon, and thus a good opportunity to run a fast time. I also look at it as a celebration for all the women who have qualified; this is a once a lifetime experience for many people. For me in particular, the Trials is an accomplishment for my entire family. I qualified to run in 2004, but elected not to because Maddie was born 3 months before the race. After Maddie's birth, we looked toward 2008. I ran a qualifying time at Boston in 2006 and my times had continued to improve. When Maddie got sick in Nov. of 2007, all of our lives changed. While the Trials continued to be an important goal and focal point, Maddie's health was and is paramount. So, making it to the starting line in April will truly be a team effort and the race will mean much more than just a race. It will demonstrate our perserverence and strength in the face of a greater challenge than of 26.2 miles.
Q: How have you maintained your focus on the Trials since qualifying?
A: Lately, it has been quite a juggling act, as I care for Maddie, take her to treatment, work, and train. Like I said before, the Trials is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Having missed the race in 2004 and turning 35 this year, I don't anticipate having many more opportunities like this one. Running has always helped me balance my life, and I suppose having the Trials to focus on helps provide some distraction from the challenges of Maddie's illness.
Q: How have you been able to stay healthy?
A: I had a stress fracture last spring, but other than that I've been fortunate to not have many injuries. I've never been injury prone, and I try to listen to my body.
Q: How do you balance work and running?
A: A constant juggling act that is constantly evolving. I work 11am-11pm (1-2 days per week), so I can usually get in a run before work. But I also try not to stress out too much if I can't get in as many miles as I might want on days I work.
Q: What are your goals for the race?
A: Enjoy the moment. Feel good and strong. Have fun. It has been a long, difficult journey since November. I want to celebrate the accomplishment, Maddie's positive response to treatment, and how fortunate I am to be healthy. I never again will take for granted even the simpliest act of going for a run. I guess a life-threatening illness helps you put everything else in life in perspective.
Q: How much training have you been able to do on the Trials course?
A: None yet, but I'm hoping to make it down there sometime in March.
Q: Do you have any pre-race rituals that you will follow?
A: No, I'm not too superstitious. I don't necessarily have certain things that I must or must not do.
Q: What are your post-trials running plans?
A: I haven't yet looked beyond the Trials. In fact, most days I'm not looking beyond today. I do know that my family and I will be moving to Vermont in June, but I haven't thought too much about what will be in store for me running-wise. Maddie's health will help determine our next step.
Q: What is your favorite distance to race?
A: Marathon - not doubt about it. I'm actually pretty slow at the other distances (compared to my marathon time). Jeff (Staab) jokes that I'm the slowest fast marathoner around.
Q: Do you have a favorite race (or races) that you enjoy competing in?
A: Boston Marathon - hands down my favorite race and race environment ever.
Q: Do you have any runners that you particularly admire?
A: I admire all runners who set goals for themselves and work daily toward those goals whether they work towards finishing a 5k or competing in the Olympics in the marathon.
Q: What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment in the sport thusfar?
A: Modeling to others (both runners and non-runners) that dreams and goals can be accomplished with hard work, dedication, drive, motivation, and family support.
Q: What is your advice to other marathoners: any tips that you have garnered from experience (either racing or training?
A:Training for a marathon is a marathon itself. It takes lots of little steps along the way to get toward the ultimate goal. The ability to stay mentally focused is key along with taking care of your body. I find that I usually have ups and downs during training, but I do my best to work through the down times knowing that things will come around.
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