416. Courtney Frerichs, Olympic Silver Medalist

Ali on the Run Show

Ali Feller

Fitness, Sports, Running, Health & Fitness

4.9 • 4.2K Ratings

🗓️ 26 August 2021

⏱️ 83 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

"He said, 'I want you to feel like you can take over this race. And take over early.' And I was like, 'Wait, what?!'"

This girl is on fire! Courtney Frerichs is a two-time Olympian for Team USA who just returned from Tokyo as a silver medalist! Courtney, who trains with Nike's Bowerman Track Club, competed in the 3000m steeplechase at the Tokyo Olympics, and made the final an exciting one when she made her move and took the lead with four laps to go. (A move she attributes both to coach Jerry Schumacher's plan and to her own quiet confidence and instinct taking over mid-race.) Courtney went into the Games as the American record holder in the 3000m steeplechase and as a world silver medalist, and just a week after returning from Tokyo, she competed at the Prefontaine Classic where she became the first American woman to go sub-9:00 in the steeplechase. On this episode, Courtney talks about the hard work she's done on her mental game leading up to this year's Olympic Track & Field Trials and, ultimately, the Olympics. She talks about what it was like being in Tokyo, gives a behind-the-scenes look at life in the athlete village (where she roomed with Team USA's 1500m runner Elle Purrier St. Pierre), and shares the mantras that helped her through it all.

SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones.

What you'll get on this episode:

Where is Courtney keeping her silver medal? (3:30)
Courtney's plans and goals for the Pre Classic, and whether she feels pressure going into the race (5:40)
All about Courtney's decision to prioritize her mental health recently (9:30)
Courtney's first impressions when she got to Tokyo (23:15)
How Courtney was feeling before the racing started at the Games (32:00)
What running was like in Tokyo (40:45)
Courtney recaps the Prelims (43:30)
Courtney shares her pre-race routine (47:00)
All about Courtney's race plan and that "big move" (53:50)
What it felt like to cross the line and earn an Olympic silver medal (1:02:50)
How Courtney is feeling now (1:08:30)
On going back to school for nutrition (1:10:15)

Follow Courtney:

Instagram @courtneyfrerichs

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode of The Alley on the Run Show is brought to you by Aftershocks.
0:04.6	Go to ontherun.aftershocks.com to say 15% on all wireless headphones.
0:10.8	Welcome to The Alley on the Run Show.
0:17.4	I'm your host Allie Feller and every week I talk with people who are doing exciting things
0:22.2	on the run and beyond.
0:24.6	We all share that love for running and that's what brings us all together.
0:28.1	But of course there's so much more to life than what happens on the run itself.
0:33.9	And this show is about those in-between.
0:36.3	It's about the moments and decisions that have shaped who we are today and the wise.
0:42.0	Why do we all do what we do and how does getting sweaty factor in?
0:46.6	Now, the Tokyo Olympics Party continues here on The Alley on the Run Show.
0:52.3	My guest today is Courtney Ferrarix, who just won the Silver Medal in the Women's 3000
0:58.4	Meter Steeple Chase.
1:00.2	Courtney is a professional runner for the Bowerman Track Club.
1:03.2	She's the American record holder in the 3000 Meter Steeple Chase.
1:06.8	She's a World Silver Medalist and this was her second time competing at the Olympics.
1:12.2	She also earned herself a spot on Team USA in 2016 and she competed in Rio.
1:18.7	Courtney isn't just a great runner though, she's also a really great human.
1:23.8	On this episode she talks a lot about mental health and about the hard work that she's
1:27.9	done on her mental game leading up to this year's Olympic Track and Field Trials and
1:32.2	ultimately to the games in Tokyo.
1:34.7	I think it's so great that this conversation around mental health has taken center stage
	...

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