by Larry EderIn the last lap of the London World Champs steeplechase, Emma Coburn and Corey Frerichs ran the races of their lives, defeating the current world record holder, Olympic champion and World champion! It was an amazing race, and Emma Coburn showed the poise her coach/husband knew she had. Emma Coburn ran aggressively, for Emma and won the global title.
Emma Coburn, Pre Classic 2016, photo by PhotoRun.net
Indoors is not a big deal for Emma Coburn, but she is racing in Millrose and at the New Balance Indoor Games. Her focus is on the steeplechase. But, Emma is fit or she would not race.
Emma Coburn, 2017 NB Indoor GP, photo by PhotoRun.net
Here’s a short interview with Emma Coburn, thanks to Media Manager Nick Nicholas of the NYRR Millrose Games with our esteemed hurdler.
The 111th NYRR Millrose Games can be seen on USATF.TV from 11:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Saturday and will be televised live by NBC from 4-6 p.m. There also is the USATF Cool Down show beginning at 6 p.m.
Go to NYRRMillroseGames.org to learn more about the NYRR Millrose Games and to purchase tickets to the Saturday, February 3, 2018meet.
To read the interview, please look below!
1. World Champion … do you still have to get used to be introduced as the world champion in the steeple chase?
Emma Coburn: “Yes. That’s not an intro I’ve ever pictured for myself. It’s still very sweet. I primarily do steeple chase and it’s my best event, so it feels a little off when I’m introduced and not running steeple chase. Tomorrow I’m running 3,000m but not jumping over anything. The world championship introduction is always sweet.”
2. Where do you put the medal?
Emma Coburn: “It’s on my Ikea bookcase. It sits there.”
3. Do you have a deal with Ikea?
Emma Coburn: “Not yet.”
4. Are you in good shape?
Emma Coburn: I think so. I spent four weeks with my training partner up to 8,000-9,000 feet training in Colorado. Everything went well and the training went perfect. We have no excuses why we shouldn’t be able to run well.”
5. When do you come down from that altitude? Mixed feeling, some say 10 days before some say the day before. You’re opting for the day before?
Emma Coburn: “Yes. Going to college at the University of Colorado we always went to sea level to race based on our class schedule and when our team needed to travel. For the last 8 or 9 years I’ve been doing it based on what works for my schedule and not thinking about the physiology. It works so far. We flew in yesterday from Crestview (Colorado) to Denver to New York.”
