An Interview with FSU's Karen Harvey

Harvey has her team in tact for a strong run at the NCAA title this season (FSU Sports Photo)

Few coaches have seen the success coach Karen Harvey at Florida State University has seen over the past five years.  With earning Big Ten and national success at the University of Illinois first, then moving to FSU last fall, Harvey's rise to the top of the coaching scene has been rapid.

This fall Harvey leads her squad towards another NCAA cross country trophy (3rd in 2007).  With most of the '07 squad coming back, expectations are high for the Seminoles.  Read what Harvey has to say about keeping her squad focused, what's being done differently this year and much more.

Trackshark (TS): It's conference week and your team is looking like the favorite to win the ACC.  What are the goals for this coming weekend?  What will you be working on?

Karen Harvey (KH): The team is indeed looking good, we are healthy and that is half the battle won. The goals are NOT to underestimate the difficulty of the course and competition. The biggest thing I have challenged the team with is to run better than Pre Nationals. To concentrate on the process and not the outcome.

TS: Lets take a step back.  Two weeks ago your squad went into Pre-Nationals as the heavy favorite to win the White Race, but came out in a tie with Princeton.  Princeton ran a great race, but it seemed as though your squad didn't have their best day.  What was your reaction to the final results?

KH: I will be honest I was a bit surprised. But, I blame myself, I feel I had the ladies going in too confident and underestimating the talent of Princeton and their ability to pack up. Really we did not have a bad day, the team just did not execute they way we know they can. This was a wake-up call for myself and the team. We now understand that if we cannot race more like we practice we are very beatable.

TS: Perhaps the most impressive performance of the day on the women's side was that of Susan Kuijken.  She literally ran away from the field over the final 1.5k.  Was that the game plan for her?

KH: Susan blasted the last 2km, in fact she dropped at 3:05 between 4km and 5km. That was the game plan, to test herself by going early at 2km. Susan knows that the competition she is about to face at ACC's for the individual title and the NCAA title will be tough. We wanted her challenged and hurting earlier in preparation for even more competitive races to come.

TS: How has the team been looking in workouts compared with last year's successful squad?

KH: They look very mature, experienced and strong. I am one of those coaches that likes to re-visit workouts from year to year, using them as comparsion. And by far this team is better than last year. But, this is in practice, and we need to take that to our next race.

TS: After placing third in '07, what is the squad doing differently to take that next step?

KH: We have to be good 1 thru 5, we cannot have one runner not run well at NCAA's. Last year our 3rd runner was our 4th and just had an off day. I was very worried that perhaps we would not place in the top 4, we got lucky. This year, forget it! Women's NCAA distance running is on fire and mistakes will keep you off the podium. That's why it helps to have a very mature and tough team. The chances of major mistakes go down when you have that type of character.

TS: You've only been at FSU for one year, already earned a trophy, and are known for coming in and earning quick success (ex. U of Illinois).  What are a few staples to a Karen Harvey team that perhaps help jump start a team to such success?

KH: Planning, Organization, Discpline, Focus, Big Goals, a Wonderful Husband and Volunteer Coach and Faith. And a touch of good luck!

TS: Lesley Van Miert was the sqaud's number two runner at Pre-Nationals.  Last fall she placed 55th at NCAA's for Northern Arizona.  What's it been like adding someone like Lesley to the mix?

KH: Absouletly wonderful! She has the best smile and such a positive personality. She is soooo talented, I keep telling her how good she is and will be, and same days she looks at me saying "really?" She has already shown some of that talent this fall. But I think much more is to come, especially in the track season.

TS: Nationals are less than a month away.  What will the team do between now and then to make sure they are hitting their best come November 24?

KH: Part of getting ready for NCAA's is racing to our potential at ACC's. Really focusing on the process and not the outcome. Once we get to NCAA's, the pure excitement and level of competition can throw you off, so it is very important that the team learn to believe in the process. We will do the same things as most teams, sharpen up by doing less quanity and more quality. Also a big thing for us is to bring down the amount of lifting we do and just rest.

TS: What does the team need to do in order to challenge Washington and Oregon for the national title?  What does Susan Kuijken need to do in order to challenge Sally Kipyego for an individual national title?

KH: On paper I don't think anyone gives FSU a chance to win the NCAA team title, but everyone has to run that race on Nov. 24. There are always favorites going into NCAA's, I think Washington and Oregon have filled those spots right now and rightly fully so. We need to focus first on Florida State, and our game plan(s). If we fire on all cylinders I believe these very special and talented ladies will have big smiles on their faces and a reward for their efforts.

Susan is really starting to round into form, the last two weeks she has trained much harder in preparation for NCAA's. She has been working on the middle of her race, so that she can remain in contact with the top contenders at NCAA's. Sally is still the overwelming favorite and for anyone to beat her they will have to be at the top of game and ready to handle pain longer.

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Karen Harvey

04:11, Thursday, November 20, 2008 .. Posted by Tony T

I enjoyed your interview with FSU Womens CC Coach Karen Harvey. I had chance to meet her at the Illinois High School State Track meet while she was coaching at Illinois. As much as I root for The University of Michigan, I'm glad that you're doing wonderful things where ever you go! Keep up the great work Coach Harvey!
Tony T