On the Brink of Greatness

By Scott Bush

Ranked US#4 in the 1,500m each of the past two seasons, Gabriele (Anderson) Grunewald is on the cusp of smashing through the brick wall that is a top three event ranking and spot on Team USA. Despite a bit of disappointment at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in 2013, Grunewald had another successful season, running new PRs of 4:01.48 (1,500m), 2:01.38 (800m) and 8:42.64 (3,000m).

Grunewald kicked off her 2014 season with a runner-up finish at the Glasgow International Match, running a strong season debut of 4:12.76 for second. With eyes set on bigger goals and performances, Grunewald is poised for another terrific season.

We caught up with the Team USA Minnesota runner recently, discussing the season ahead, how's she evolved as an athlete since college, continued improvement and so much more. This is a must read for any middle distance fan.

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Scott Bush (SB): You had quite the 2013 season, setting new PRs over 800m and 1,500m. Looking back, how happy were you with your season?

Gabriele Grunewald (GG): Thanks! I look at the 2013 season as one of a mixed bag in terms of results, but one that allowed me to get a lot of valuable racing experience that will help me in the future. I got a late start to my training last fall/winter due to a foot issue and I don't think I realized how much that would affect me early to mid-spring when I really wanted to be confident and running fast.

Unfortunately my early races were pretty rusty and that was a challenge for me going into the US Champs. It was a big goal of mine to make the world team for Moscow, so I was really disappointed with how I performed at the US Champs in June. After USAs I was able to pull myself together and had a really great month of racing in July in Europe -- I just wish things had clicked for me a little sooner.

And I never take PRs for granted so I'm pretty thrilled to have another year of setting personal bests in the 800, 1500m, and 3000m. A "fun fact" is that I've set a 1500m PR every season but one (2008 I ran within 1 second of PR) since 2007, even with health setbacks and minor injuries here and there. That kind of improvement is really gratifying and it just makes me excited to keep training to see how fast I can really go. In 2013, the 1500m PR in Monaco stands out to me as the highlight of my season probably. It helped reassure me that even though I missed out on Moscow that fitness-wise, I was the best runner that I've ever been.

SB: This is a golden era of U.S. middle distance running, with so much talent and depth in your respective events. You're already a contender to make Team USA, but what's it going to take from you to make that next step and finish top three at USAs?

GG: It's undeniable that the depth of American mid-distance running is incredible and unprecedented right now. There are hardly any other women's 1500m teams tougher to make than ours here in the USA. Going into every US Champs, I'm aware of that fact. I think I am still maturing as a racer and learning how to execute a 1500m to my strengths in a championship setting. I know I have the fitness it takes to make a team, it's just going to come down to executing a plan and believing that I can do well in any type of race. You have to be ready for anything in championships, and I'm continually gaining experience that will prepare me for all sorts of scenarios.

SB: 2014 is a non-championship year, meaning athletes can take a risk or two to try different things. Any thoughts on what the year will hold for you in terms of types of races you'll do and what, if anything, will change in your training?

GG: 2014 will definitely be different for me. First of all, this is the first winter since 2011 where I've been healthy throughout the fall and winter thus far (*knock on wood*), so that already has changed my training and schedule so far. 2014 is a 'non-championship' year but there is an indoor championship and that is what I'll be gearing up for first. Beyond indoor season, I'll still build up for a regular season of racing and a good showing at USA Championships and in Europe, but you might see me experimenting more with race distances other than the 1500m. I also might experiment with an altitude camp this year, which I have never done before.

SB: You've been incredibly consistent for years now. A lot of athletes kind of hit a plateau and can't get past it, but you keep on improving. What's your secret?

GG: Well first of all, there is no secret! But I do think that the consistency in my improvement has something to do with keeping things pretty simple in my training, and my life. I guess you could say I approach training a little more "old-school" than people might expect. I listen to my body, I sleep a lot (my social life suffers a bit due to this), and I am not a slave to workout splits and mileage. I take a day off if I'm sick or something doesn't feel right, and I don't beat myself up over it.

As a runner at some point you have to take ownership of your training, because nobody knows exactly how your legs are feeling in a workout or if you are going "into the well" too frequently in training. You have to help make those decisions. I'm fortunate to have had coaches who have given me a good deal of autonomy in my training - and that's what seems to work best for me. 

SB: The support system with Team USA Minnesota is terrific, yet a lot of fans don't know much about the group. Can you share a little bit about what makes the group so special? 

GG: Team USA Minnesota is a really special group and it's unfortunate that we're a little bit more insulated here in the midwestern tundra. Maybe it's because people just don't see us as much -- we're inside all the time! I'm just kidding, but really, Team USA Minnesota is special for a lot of reasons. We have a unique group of athletes training for a lot of different disciplines in various phases of life.

One of the things that Team USA Minnesota is able to do incredibly well is to meet you where you are at with your running career. Essentially, there is a lot more flexibility with 'life schedules' here than you might find in other groups. And that might mean that groups of runners are doing workouts at different times of day, which isn't always ideal, but that flexibility also allows our athletes to do things in a way that works best for them as individuals. 

We have pretty much everything here in the Twin Cities that a professional runner needs to be successful -- outside of maybe an oversized indoor track and mild winters! Patricia Goodwin (Team USA MN founder and president) and Dennis Barker (coach) are incredibly supportive and dedicated to helping our runners navigate post-collegiate running and get what they need to be successful. Lots of our runners have ties to Minnesota or the Midwest, so it's pretty wonderful to be able to pursue professional running here for athletes who either want or need to be based in this part of the country. 

SB: Your husband Justin Grunewald was a pretty good runner himself at Minnesota. What's it like for you to have a partner who understands the lifestyle of a pro distance runner so well?

GG: In a word: magical! It's hard to put into words how special it is to share my professional running experience with a spouse who not only "gets" running, but is incredibly supportive and encouraging, too. Justin had his own blooming running career (Olympic Trials Marathon Finisher in 2012) before medical school forced him to temporarily retire, so he understands the sacrifices runners need to make to be successful. 

Our current careers are demanding but in different ways, so it's nice for both of us to be able to support each other in our respective professions -- and get some "breaks" from being fully immersed in either 'hospital life' or 'track life.' It's a unique situation but we both really enjoy training together and carving out something to do together every day even through his busy schedule as a med student. We really enjoy it (most days)!

SB: Okay, we know all about you on the track, but what keeps your interest off the track?

GG: Well, I was really into wedding planning up until October of 2013, and we just moved into a new place so I've taken up decorating as a temporary hobby to replace wedding planning! I also enjoy cooking, reading, and spending time with friends and family. My husband and I enjoy checking out new breweries here in the Minneapolis area and when we're traveling. Local favorites are Fulton Brewery and Indeed Brewing Company. We enjoyed Epic Brewing in Denver this fall.

SB: What, if any, New Years resolutions did you make for 2014?

GG: Nothing groundbreaking for me in terms of resolutions this year. As an athlete, I'm looking to do the little things better in 2014 and really improve the mental aspect of training and racing. Outside of running, I'm hoping to volunteer more and to a better job of keeping in touch with old friends.