Aguilera hopes to cap off her collegiate career with an NCAA title (Alex Moore) |
1. You just set the all-time PAC 10 and school record in the 3000 meter steeplechase with your time of 9:51.65. Did you surprise yourself after you crossed the line or did you expect to run that well?
It was a very nice surprise! I was aiming to run 10:00, and before the race I asked our assistant coach, Loui Q. if we would have someone calling out our splits. Then before the race an official came up and said he would be calling the "approximate" splits. So each lap when I heard my time, I just assumed he was a little off. It was a really nice Arizona day, the sun was setting, it was a little breezy, and the atmosphere was really relaxed (only 3 people in the race). Before this race, I had been a little frustrated with my track season. I felt like I had been working hard, but my times weren't showing it. So this race has definitely lifted by spirits.
2. Also finishing sixth in the steeplechase at the 2002 NCAA Championships to earn your first All-American honor in the event and the fourth of your career, how do you feel heading into the PAC 10 and regional meets?
I am really excited about the PAC-10 and Regionals! I am doubling in the steeplechase and 1500m at the PAC-10 meet. Last year at PAC-10s, I ran the steeplechase and 5000 meters. I have really been enjoying the 1500 meter workouts (the short, fast track workouts).
3. Named the first-team Academic All-American in cross country and third-team selection in track and field, how important is it to focus on your studies and what would you like to eventually do with your degree?
I have always felt like my studies had to be balanced with athletics. While I enjoy running, I have never wanted to make running the only thing in my life. I know it's really hard to run and also have a career, but I really want to have both. I am double majoring in Computer Systems Engineering and Finance. My problem is that I want to do so many things, it's hard to decide one single thing I want to do. I think my dream job would be working for Pixar Animations (They created Toy Story and Monsters Inc. among others movies). I would like a job that allows a lot of creativity. I also have always been interested in coaching high school and teaching Math (maybe when I retire or have children). My plan for this summer is to get a part-time job in the Computer Engineering field. I've never really worked before, so I am really excited to see what a typical day will be like. I really enjoy computer programming and that sort of thing.
4. Now that you have earned great success in the steeplechase, have you thought about what you would like to accomplish and go after professionally?
I am definitely aiming to compete at the USA Championships, and if they decide to have an exhibition steeplechase race in Paris, I would love to go! As for running after that, I have not yet decided. I would like to keep running, and also have a career. I know that's difficult, but I think it takes a couple of years out of college to really develop into a professional, world-class athlete. Once I get closer to that level, then I might be willing to put my career on hold.
5. Many people refer to the weather in Tempe, Arizona as a dry heat. Does the hot weather bother you and your teammates at all in practice and competition, especially over the summer?
I was born in Phoenix and have lived in Arizona my whole life, so the weather doesn't really bother me. In the summer, it helps you be disciplined because you have to get up early and run.
6. What will you be focusing on the most in practice as the season heads down to the wire?
I will mostly be focusing on the steeplechase since I have four steeplechase performances (Pac-10s, Regionals, Nationals, and USAs) and one 1500 meter race (Pac-10s) left. For the most part, I just do the workouts, my coach, Walt Drenth gives to me. So I'm not sure what exact workouts I have left.
7. Looking back upon your collegiate career, what stands out the most in your mind as some of the most memorable meets you have ever competed in?
The 2000 NCAA Cross-Country Nationals in Ames, Iowa, when it was 17 degrees below zero with the wind chill factor. Being from Arizona, I remember everyone there asking our team, if we were cold. We just had it in our minds that we were going to enjoy the experience and the cold was not going to bother us. It was a great team, and we had so much run on that trip. Our women's team finished 6th and it was the best team performance in Arizona State history.
8. With all of your accolades and awards, what will you take away as the most you are proud of?
Hopefully I will earn some awards this spring that I will be the most proud of. As of right now, I am most proud of my 2002 runner-up performance in the NCAA Indoor 3000 meters and my 5th place at the 2000 NCAA Cross-Country Championships.
9. Who are some of the athletes or role models you look up to?
I look up to those athletes that work really hard and always have an optimistic attitude. On my team now, I look up to two freshman, Amy Hastings and Jessica Scalzo. As a senior, they remind me of how to keep that fire and desire to be great! I remember when I was freshman everything was so new, every meet was a new experience and we got to travel all over the U.S. Sometimes when you've done the same thing for five years, you start to just go through the motions. When I see how excited they are, it's hard for me not to be excited as well.
10. Does the amount of mileage you put in change for you in total during each competition season -- cross country, indoor and outdoor?
During seasons, my mileage doesn't change too much, but each year since I was a freshman I have progressed and ran a little higher mileage. As a freshman, the most mileage I did was 65 miles a week. Now I run between 70-85 miles a week.
11. Do you consider yourself a big fan of the sport as well or just a casual one trying to do their best to perform at that level?
I definitely consider myself a fan of the sport (at least in the distance races). I'm not as educated as some of the guys on our teams who know the world records down to the hundredths and know every great runner that ever competed, but every time my Track and Field News comes I have to read it right away.
12. Can you give any advice to the young females out there who wish to give the distance events a try for the first time?
It may take years to develop as a distance runner, so just be willing to work hard and be patient. Focus on improving your times every year and you will eventually make it.