Colorado University Athletics
Getting To Know: Val Constien, XC/T&F
Tell us your background. How did you get into track and field?
I started running track in middle school; we didnGÇÖt have a cross
country team in middle school. Once I got to high school, I did
cross country three years and track all four. ThereGÇÖs kind of a
running culture in Vail, where IGÇÖm from, but usually its trail
running. ThereGÇÖs a lot of good trail running around the area.
Was there anything that attracted you to CU in
particular?
I knew I wanted to be good at running and I knew CU was where
you needed to go to get to a high-level. Also, when I visited, I
really liked the campus. I grew up coming to Boulder and I really
liked the coaches (Mark Wetmore, Heather Burroughs and Billy
Nelson). All of my teammates were also really cool and helped
welcome me to the program, so everything really worked out
perfectly.
What is your favorite event in track and how does that
affect your approach to training?
I am an aspiring steeplechaser. ItGÇÖs a 3,000-meter race with
immovable barriers and water jumps that you have to go over. IGÇÖd
like to get really good at that. WeGÇÖve been practicing it a lot. I
guess this special skill that I would say I have is perfecting the
water jumps considering IGÇÖve only been doing this for a couple
months. I can jump up and step powerfully off and get back into my
stride. I like that aspect to it because it breaks up the race a
little bit.
Do you have any goals that youGÇÖve set for yourself this season?
ItGÇÖs kind of funny because at the beginning of the season, I
didnGÇÖt really have any goals. I was just going to see what happens
and take it race by race. Slowly I started to realize that I could
actually do pretty well this season. So, at first my goal was just
to be able to race, but then I got to race in uniform and decided I
wanted to make Pac-12s. Then I wanted to make it to NCAA prelims,
so weGÇÖll just see how it progresses.
What valuable piece of advice have you received from
your coaches?
I work with all the coaches pretty closely. Billy is an Olympic
steeplechaser. Heather is the only woman coach so I also talk to
her a lot and Mark makes all the workouts and gives great advice on
everything. The three coaches are all pretty crucial in their own
regard. ThereGÇÖs not really one thing I can say specifically because
all the advice they give is valuable.
Do you have any role models, either inside or outside the sport?
Definitely. (Volunteer coaches and former Buffs) Emma Coburn,
Jenny Simpson and (former Buff) Kara Goucher will go on long runs
with us occasionally. ItGÇÖs pretty amazing that I can get steeple
coaching from Olympians and such successful runners. On the team, I
look up to all the upperclassmen. They have really strong
leadership. Connor (Winter) always has a good attitude. This is his
first year with steeplechase too, but heGÇÖs got a lot of experience
and advice about how to race. Sara Sutherland is our transfer, but
she also has great advice about the race and how to feel good about
the race afterwards.
Anything in particular to help you prepare for a race
or any rituals?
I guess I always do things like pick out what socks IGÇÖm going to
wear and I try to eat oatmeal before every race. I always where
sunscreen and put my hair in a ponytail. Other than that, nothing
special. All it comes down to is just going out and running,
thereGÇÖs no trick to it.
How was your experience representing Team USA in China
over Spring Break?
It was really cool to wear Team USA gear. It was also super fun to
be able to meet a lot of the professional athletes on the senior
team, as well as meet the teams from other countries.
Can you tell us something interesting about you outside
of running track?
Some of my hobbies include biking and skiing. The coaches donGÇÖt
really like both of those things because thereGÇÖs always the
possibility that I get hurt. ItGÇÖs just kind of a fun thing to do
and to be outside. TheyGÇÖre good alternatives whenever IGÇÖm not
running.