Blogs : NCAA Division III Blog

Interview: Meghan Nolan of SUNY Geneseo

Meghan Nolan (#57), a senior at SUNY Geneseo, is a four time All-American in Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field.  After a highly successful freshman year where she placed 65^th at Cross Country Nationals and 7^th at Nationals in the Mile, Meghan’s sophomore year was spent recovering from anemia, only to return for an even more successful junior year where she placed 52^nd at Cross Country Nationals, helping her team to a 9^th place showing, and later earning All-American status in the Mile, DMR, and 1500.  Returning 5 of their 7 runners from Nationals last year, Geneseo is currently the 4^th ranked team in Division III.

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself, like where you're from and how you got started running?

I am a senior Biology major (Psychology minor) at SUNY Geneseo in Geneseo, NY. My hometown is Liverpool, NY, which is about 15 minutes outside of Syracuse. I played travel soccer for 10 years before I started competitively running my sophomore year of high school. My brother, Chris, deserves the credit for sparking my interest in cross country and the start of my running career.

How do your PRs in high school compare to what you've done so far in college?  More importantly, how has your understanding of training, racing, and running in general evolved?

In high school, my PRs were the following:

 800 2:18          1500 4:48        3K 10:43         XC 5K: low 19s

College (so far):

 800 2:15          1500 4:30        Mile 4:57          5K 17:15         XC 6K: 21:42

As far as training goes, higher mileage has been a key factor in my improvement since high school. I have learned the importance of Sunday long runs and developing a training plan that works for me. Our coach (Mike Woods) is really great about catering to each team member’s needs. He monitors our mileage closely and is responsive to our feedback. Great training partners are also an important element for improvement. I have worked hard to develop a training regime that is challenging without going overboard. Overall, I have learned that running is a lifestyle choice. It requires constant commitment and a passion to continuously improve. I have realized that motivation must come from within and success does not always come easy.   

What drew you to choose Division III, and SUNY Geneseo in particular?

The philosophy of Division III is what attracted me. I wanted to run, but I also wanted to be able to really focus on academics. I chose Geneseo on the basis of both its academic and athletic reputation. Coach Woods recruited me hard and got me excited about contributing to a nationally ranked program. When I came to Geneseo for an overnight visit during the spring of my senior year, I fell in love with the school and the team. I am very happy with my decision.

What was your training like this past summer?

Training in the summer consists of mostly base training. I was averaging around 75 miles for the second half of the summer. Unfortunately, most runs were done alone so I am very grateful to be back at school, training with my teammates who also happen to be my best friends.

What are your goals for yourself and your team this season and year?

Steadily improving and staying healthy throughout the season are always main goals. Certainly we want to peak at the right time and challenge for the national title.

What is your favorite workout during the cross country season and what do you like about it?

I would have to say I have two favorite workouts. The first is called the “Notre Dame” workout. It is a continuous cycle of all out efforts and tempo intervals. The second is horseshoes. They are basically mile repeats with the first half mile across the bottom of our campus and the second half mile all uphill to the top of campus. Both workouts are physically and mentally challenging and definitely build strength and endurance.

Your freshman year, you were the third runner on your cross country team at Nationals, helping your team to a 13th place finish.  You were also an All-American in the Mile, placing 7th, and placed 9th in the 1500m at Outdoor Nationals.  Sophomore year, you weren't in the top seven at Nationals and didn't qualify for any events Indoors or Outdoors.  This past year, you were your team's second runner, finishing 51st overall and helping them to a 9th place finish.  Fast forward to track, and you earned two more All-American awards in the 1500 and Mile, and missed All-American in the 5,000 by one place.  How did you recover so successfully from what must have been a disappointing sophomore year?  How have you approached running in order to come back and have a very successful junior (and so far senior)year?

As a freshman, I enjoyed immediate success especially during Indoor and Outdoor Track. I think that was a product of not a lot of pressure/ expectation and a great training partner, Marta Scott. Unfortunately, sophomore year was a different story. Early that fall, I was diagnosed with severe iron-deficiency anemia and had to cut my season short. I struggled with the condition throughout the entire year while trying to continue my training. The anemia took a toll both mentally and physically. I was not able to train properly and this lead to a downward spiral of my confidence and ability to race well. Starting the summer after that year, I changed my approach to running. I committed myself to getting healthy through important changes in my diet habits, training, and overall attitude. It was a long, difficult road but I have come to have to acquire a new love for running and utmost respect for the human body. Recovering from iron-deficiency anemia put my priorities into perspective. My negligence of adequate nutrition negatively impacted my ability to compete. I learned that seemingly temporary gains do not necessarily lead to later successes and that damage to the body is not always easily reversible. My struggle has made me the runner I am today and reminds me to take advantage of every race and opportunity.

What are your thoughts looking ahead to your post-collegiate days?

I have just recently finished my secondary applications for medical school. As of right now, I am interested in the fields of orthopedic surgery and neonatology.

Who has been the biggest influence in your life and/or running?

My parents and my teammates. My parents attend almost every one of my races (including the NCAAs) and are incredibly supportive. My mom has taught me to work hard, be independent, and live my life with no regrets. I am grateful to have such an amazing role model, mother, and friend.

Also, my teammates have played such an invaluable role in my undergraduate experience. Their hard work, dedication, and motivation inspire me to contribute my best to the team. Further, the friendships I have made and life lessons I have learned with them by my side will be carried with me for the rest of my life.

What do you like the most about Geneseo Cross Country?

I love our team. There is such great chemistry between both the women’s and men’s teams. Besides being great teammates, they are some of my closest friends. It is nice to be a member of an organization that works hard to achieve success as an entire team. Everyone is so supportive and dedicated to the program. Some of the team has already planned to rent RV’s to travel 16 hours to St. Olaf to watch us run at Nationals this year. Trips like these have been a tradition for many years. The parents are actively involved in the program as well. It is great to feel such encouragement and support every race.    

What's the relationship between the track team and the other athletic teams?  What's the athletic culture like at Geneseo?

Certainly there is great camaraderie among all the athletic teams. Although it is difficult to find time to attend other sports events, all athletes are interested in each sport’s successes. Additionally, the only home meet we host is our cross country invite due to the lack of either an indoor or outdoor track. Our intercollegiate website is a great resource to keep up on recent contest summaries.    

How do other students (non-runners) and professors at your school view the track team and its members?

Most students and professors are aware of our program and its successes. However, that may be mostly a product of our highly congregated presence in the library. Professors are generally conducive to times when we have to miss class for meets, except for a few of my biology professors. Nevertheless, everyone is respectful and supportive of our program.    

Do you follow running at the collegiate or professional levels at all?

I try to stay updated on recent running events. In particular, I always try to keep up on Jen Rhines. She attended the same high school as I did and I spent my entire high school career trying to break her records. It is awesome to think we started our running career with the same coach on the same cross country course. I truly admire her and enjoy watching her succeed.   

Would you care to confess to what extent you lurk on Letsrun.com or other message boards?

I myself am not an avid follower. I think I have been on the site about five times in my college career. However, at practice, I always hear the interesting posts from our guys’ team who visit the site much more often.

Are there any other closing thoughts or pieces of wisdom you'd like to share?

“There is only one you and you will pass this way only once. Do it right.” Competitively running on your college team will be one of the most satisfying experiences in your life. It always goes by much too fast and few things will ever compare. Enjoy it and take it for all its worth. Never take your health or friendships for granted and always train hard, but be smart. Stay healthy and race with no regrets. Good Luck!

Untitled Comment

11:48 AM, October 4, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

meghan nolan is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Untitled Comment

1:00 AM, October 5, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

Meg,

That was great, a true VIP....

Untitled Comment

4:27 PM, October 5, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

Keep it up Meghan Nolan. You are fantastic!

Untitled Comment

8:34 PM, October 10, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

Meghan Nolan is the best!:):)

Untitled Comment

7:27 PM, October 26, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

Meg, I'm so proud to be your friend:) You really are a great role model and housemate!