Barb Franek, Emma Coburn, US Outdoors, 2011,
photo by PhotoRun.net
” I grew up doing a zillion sports. I like competing in other sports, besides running in a straight line. I like the steeple because it is more athletic and it does not include just running, it includes some jumping.”
“Because I had some experience in high school, I was going to run the steeple in college. But, as the steeple is a spring sport, I had to become a better runner.” Emma ran cross country for the Buffaloes, all four years in college, but she she admitted, that the fall discipline is not her favorite.
” I took off the summer, had a vacation, and started running in early September.” Emma Coburn told us that she has been at full training load since the end of October. “Training has been going well.”
What does she want to do for this year?
” I am going to focus on the Diamond League events, and hope to get under 9:20.” Emma Coburn has run 4:06.64 for the 1,500 meters, and with her 9:23.54 personal best, that looks possible for 2014.
Emma Coburn made the final of the World Championships in 2011, as a junior, finishing twelfth and running 9:51.40. In 2012, Emma was the youngest member of the Olympic track team, at 21, and finished ninth in the final, with a personal best of 9:23.54.
When this writer discusses that the tall, athletic Coburn looks like a poster child for the steeplechase, and compares her to 9:12.5 performance of Jenny Simpson. Ms. Coburn is firm, ” Jenny was in fantastic shape when she ran the America record. I would like to run close to that, but that is not in the near future.” Respect for her training partner, but also, a knowledge of the self is key for a successful elite athlete.
Emma Coburn, US Olympic Trials, July 2012,
photo by PhotoRun.net
Already, in her young career, Emma Coburn has Olympian after her name. Watch this young women, as she has many barriers to hurdle before she sleeps.
But for this Saturday, February 8, 2014, Emma Coburn will open her season with a 2,000 meter run at the famed Reggie Lewis Center. “It will be my first race in some time, and I am looking at it as a test.”
We look forward to seeing Emma Coburn over the barriers later this year, hurdling the barriers like few others, and showing that one can choose the event, and not let the event choose them.