Quick Chat with Steeplechic Stephanie Reilly

Stephanie Reilly grew up in County Wicklow, Ireland and went to Providence College in Massachusetts, getting her undergraduate and then Masters degree between 1997 and 2004. Reilly is from a track and field family. Her mother founded the athletic club in their town when Reilly was just a baby, so her daughter grew up trying the different events, including the 400m hurdles.

It wasn't until she was 17 that she turn to middle-distance and beyond. Then about two years ago, not long after having her second child, Reilly decided to try out the steeplechase. She ran 10:21 her first time.

This year, Reilly has made a big jump, dipping under the ten-minute barrier for the first time ever. I asked Reilly a few questions about balancing family, a career and training.

Video of Reilly's first sub-10 minute steeplechase, from RunnerSpace.com:

How long have you been with New Balance Boston and why did you choose that group?

I just started with NB Boston this spring. The team has a nice mix of athletes and great support. All in all, a great team to run for.

I know you are the mother of two - tell us about your family and how you fit that around your training.

I have 2 sons – Marcus is 4 , and Dylan is 3 and they are just the greatest kids. Regarding my training, we make it work nicely. I run once a day, usually in the morning so then I am done and I don’t give it another thought until the next day. My boys are very active and full of energy, so once-a-day training suits me perfectly, and I actually much prefer it this way. It really does work well for me. I need to save some of that energy for them. Also, I have a very supportive husband – Paul, also a Providence graduate originally from Ireland. We usually take turns with the training, or can run together when we have visitors from home. 

What is the difference between training with kids and training without them?

Training with kids is much different than without. Before I had my kids, running and training really did consume me, and I let the down times really get to me. But with kids that is no longer. It puts everything into perspective and keeps me real and grounded. I commit that 60-90 minsute a day to my running, and that is it. No procrastinating, or hanging around at the track for me anymore. I have that window where I have to get it done, and if I don't well then so be it, and I just don't run that day!

With kids, anything can happen last-minute so I definitey have to be able to adjust my training last-minute. This can happen quite often so I have not written a training program for myself in the longest time. I take it day by day. I really enjoy my running now and we (family) have a great routine going for us all. My kids hang at the track all the time with me, and this is great. I really enjoy having them around cheering me on in sessions and races.

With my training schedule now I never have that extreme fatigue, I just can't afford to be tired all the time as it will make us all miserable at home. I have found a good place with what I can handle and still not feel exhausted and still feel I am progressing nicely and getting fitter.

You broke 10 minutes for the first time at the Portland Track Festival. Did you know that you were rounding into sub 10 minute shape or did it surprise you?

I had run 10:20 at the New Balance Women's Steeplechase at the NBB Twilight Meet in the heat and humidity, and I knew I was better than that. So I wanted to give myself a realistic shot and get to a race with good running conditions. Portland had the weather, so I decided to go for it – I had nothing to lose. I had run a 2000m time trial over the 5 barriers including the water jump a week and a half before Boston, and did that in 6:42. So I knew I was capable of running around 10 minutes. It was just a matter of getting a decent race and weather conditions. I was a little surprised to run sub-10 at Portland, especially since I led the entire race except for the first 2 laps. I was very happy with that effort.

What are your plans for the rest of the summer?

Well this weekend, there are a couple of steeple races in Valatie, New York, on Saturday and Sunday. I may jump in one of those, but it will more than likely depend on the weather. Then I go back to Ireland on July 5th and will race at the Irish Nationals July 10th and 11th. I am trying to find some steeple races over there so I can take a shot at running the European Track & Field Championships qualifying standard of 9:55.00. The Euro Champs are in Barcelona the end of July. It is so hard to find races over here this time of year, and all I want to do is race now as I feel like I am getting into decent shape.

What do you do for a day job?

I am the head coach for the men and women  Cross-County and Track and Field programs at Bryant University. Bryant is located in Smithfield, RI about 10 miles outside Providence. Bryant just turned Division 1, and is still in the transitioning phase of that process, and now we are almost fully D1. I love coaching, and building these programs here at Bryant. I have been head coach at Bryant now for 3 years.

A couple of fun questions...

Who is your favorite athlete and why?

Steve Jones. I got to know Steve as he is a close friend to my husband and his family. Steve is great because he is raw and so tough, and just keeps it real. He is an animal.

What are a couple of your favorite books and/or movies and why?

Right now I am reading The Element by Sir Ken Robinson. Really good book, and for any parent preparing for their kids to begin school and entering the system of public education, it is a must read. He has other books also. Along with this book, I have a Jack Daniels and Arthur Lydiard book on my night stand which I am constantly reading through. As for movies, well the other night I watched "The Committments." It is an Irish movie and is just hilarious. That along with "The Van" and "The Snapper"are movies that I will laugh my ass off at no matter how many times I watch them.

Follow Stephanie Reilly:

• Outdoor Track & Field Championships of Ireland, July 10-11
• If Reilly runs 9:55.00 or faster, check her out at the European Track & Field Champsionships, July 27-Aug 1 

View AnnGaff's Profile

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• Track & Field, Sports, Media, Videos, SportsPLUS, Family/Parenting

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AnnGaff

UPDATE - Stephanie ran 9:48 in Barcelona tonight to qualify for the European Championships! Congrats, Stephanie!

Here are the results:
http://www.resultados.rfea.es/2010/airelibre/meeting_barcelona/ATR173A_AT1033E0000001CAT.htm

Friday, July 9, 2010 at 2:26pm PDT