Fryburg Looking To Bounce Back From Injury
9/24/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Sept. 24, 2001
Returning to Miami after a summer of intense training, Kristen Fryburg was ready for her second season of cross country.
As a freshman, Fryburg had been instrumental in the RedHawks' second-place finish in the Mid-American Conference in 1999. That year she became the first MAC freshman to qualify for the NCAA Championship meet, where she placed in the top half of the field.
"My goal here at Miami was to make it to nationals by my senior year," says Fryburg. "To go as a freshman was such an honor."
After her first season with the RedHawks, Fryburg was driven to train even harder for the next season.
"I felt like I was in the best shape that I have ever been in," Fryburg said.
Unfortunately, Fryburg's off-season dedication led to disaster.
A Miami trainer found two stress fractures in one of her femur bones, making running out of the question. While one of the fractures appeared to be old, one was new and would require rest. For the three months Fryburg could not run, she trained in the pool, "aqua jogging" and interval training, to keep up her endurance and strength.
"When I was injured I really missed training with the team," says Fryburg. Back running this fall, Fryburg is physically healthy and mentally prepared. In the first two meets, the Miami Invitational and the Miami Fall Classic, she placed second and third, respectively.
"I'm where I want to be. I'm running around the same times that I was running my freshman year," says Fryburg.
This year has proven to be challenging because the length of the national championship race has changed from a 5K to a 6K. Therefore, competitions can be either distance.
"I'm used to running a 5K because I know what times I should be running," says Fryburg.
Fryburg keeps team goals above her own because it is the team that serves as her source of motivation. The RedHawks' second-place finish in the MAC two years ago when Fryburg was a freshman remains in the back of her mind, reminding her of what she and her teammates are working for. This year, the goal is to place first.
While running is what Fryburg loves to do, she admits that it is hard to find time to get school work done while keeping up a schedule of running, strength training, interning in the RedHawk weight room, and, most importantly, sleeping.
"It's challenging to push yourself to limits that you didn't know you could reach, and it's also very satisfying when you do," Fryburg said.
Running will always be a part of Fryburg's life. She plans to graduate with a degree in sport organization major and a minor in coaching, and would like to coach running at the Division I level after graduation.
"I think I'll run until I can't run anymore," says Fryburg.
The RedHawks will be tested this weekend at the University of Minnesota's Roy Griak Invitational, where 17 NCAA-qualifying teams from last year will be competing.
"We're good enough to run with the top runners," says Fryburg. "I'm not as nervous as I was my first year because I have run with the best and I know I can do it."
Story by Jen Williams
