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Lindsey Scherf competes at the 2007 New Haven Road Race, which served as the USA 20k Championships.

Interview with Lindsey Scherf

Posted on September 4, 2007, Interview conducted September 3, 2007

By Madeleine Marecki

The name "Lindsey Scherf" has been circulating in running circles for what seems to be forever. Yet, Scherf is only 20 years old. Her youth, however, belies an experienced competitor within. The senior at Harvard University is one of the best collegiate athletes in the country, earning multiple All-America and All-Ivy League selections. Scherf's name is already in the record books for breaking several national age-group marks, including the U.S. junior 10,000m record, which she broke when she ran 32:51 at the 2005 Outdoor Heptagonal Championships. The Scarsdale, New York native also has a 15:42 5,000 meter performance to her credit.

Scherf toed the line at the 2007 USA 20k Championships in New Haven, Connecticut on September 3. While her performance was not to her satisfaction, she was all smiles when discussing the positives she took from the experience. Scherf also shared her thoughts on the semester she spent abroad in Australia and her running goals for the upcoming year.

How did the race go for you?
For every race I do, I try to give 100% of what I have. Today, for whatever reason, my legs didn't have all that much, but I still work with what I have and give my all. I still feel I'm fit, but I just moved into my new place a day ago and a couple of transition things can kind of take the spring out of your legs. Regardless, I love getting out here, competing, [I like] the energy of road race and competition. It was a good experience, you know? You have to see what positives you take from it. It was a good effort and it will be getting me to where I want to be come November and as the season progresses.

So you'll be running for Harvard?
Yes, I will be running for Harvard in the fall.

I read that you ran a marathon.
I did when I was in Australia. I ran a marathon for fun. I was studying a semester abroad out there. It was kind of a time where I was being a little experimental and doing a lot of firsts. I backed off the training and I was running a little bit more leisurely. Sometimes it's good to step back and refresh your perspective and I figured, 'Hey, I might as well give it a go.' I had nothing to lose and I had no expectations and I wanted to see if I could roll with the marathon. And I totally loved the distance.

So you popped a 2:41 and that qualified you for the Olympic Trials. Did you have that goal in mind, or did you just run the marathon for fun?
It was for fun but with little benchmarks. I knew that [2:47] or better would get me into the Trials, so I had that in the back of my mind, so I was going to cruise and try to be under that pace. I was a good bit under that pace and I felt good and I just went with it.

What was your training going into that? What was your mileage?
I don't really know. I just kind of went out and most days I would run about 60 to 70 minutes a day. I know definitely there were some things I lacked experience-wise in the marathon. Just going out and running every day for fun, I didn't have a good sense of pace. I realized you have to practice things like taking in water. I learned that. I think popping in that marathon in that low-key setting and experimenting with what's what, I know what I need to work on and improve upon. And it's exciting. The little things that don't come up in the 10k can take minutes off of a marathon. It's so exciting; it's not just about refining your training but also refining your technique, being smart and playing with it.

Are you excited for cross country and the collegiate season?
I'm very excited. I love the opportunity to have a team and camaraderie, as well as having that setting with competitions to challenge yourself and push yourself to new limits.