Sept. 11, 2007
The following story appears in the September edition of KnightVision. Produced 10 times per year, KnightVision is the official publication of the UCF Athletics Asssociation. Each issue includes stories about UCF teams, student-athletes and coaches. To order 10 exciting issues from August through June, call 1-888-877-4373 (ext. 121) or 336-768-3400 (ext. 121).
On the Run
While most of her fellow college students were using their summer to relax or earn some extra money at a summer job, Jenny Clausen was pounding the pavement - literally. A conversation with the sophomore distance runner about her summer vacation, which did include working as character photographer at Six Flags Great Adventure, proves just how dedicated she is to her sport.
"I woke up at 5:30 every morning to run," Clausen said. "I ran about 80 miles a week. I did my long runs - around 15 miles - on Saturdays and took it easy on Sundays. I also joined a gym so that I could lift weights twice a week."
For Clausen, running is life. It should be no surprise when asked if she is ready for the season, Clausen answered, "I feel like I am in great shape."
Early in the season, Clausen and her cross country teammates are already doing tempo runs and striding drills before eventually incorporating intervals. The training regimen is the key to shaving seconds from their times.
"If I can get a little more speed in my legs, it will really help in my distance races," said Clausen.
Speed is essential if Clausen wants to top her successful rookie campaign. The native of Jackson, N.J., made an immediate impact when she arrived at UCF in the fall of 2006. In her collegiate debut at the Mountain Dew Invitational, she finished among the top 25 with a time of 18:35.49 and continued to be the Knights' top runner throughout the season.
Her time of 18:31.20 at the Disney Classic earned her Conference USA Female Athlete of the Week honors and ranks fifth all-time at UCF. Later, she claimed all-conference honors as the 12th runner to cross the finish line at the C-USA Championships.
The success didn't end in the fall. During the spring, she broke the school's freshman records in all three distance events, efforts that also place her third all-time at UCF.
"Those records still mean a lot to me," said Clausen, "but I want to break some of the overall records - like the 5,000 and the 10,000. I'd like to try for the 3,000, too. I just have to keep working for it."
Clausen continued to aim high as the season came to a close. At the C-USA Outdoor Championships, she took second in the 10,000-meter event and fifth in the 5,000m, prompting the league's coaches to bestow her with the conference's female freshman of the year award.
Even with a list full of accolades, she is still able to pick her own personal highlight.
"Getting second place in the 10,000 at conference was one of my best moments because it's my favorite event," said Clausen. "It really showed how hard I had worked all year. I was happiest with that."
Of course, it doesn't mean that she is happy to slow her pace in her second season. Instead, Clausen has elevated her goals.
"This year I would like to get all-conference in cross country again and finish in the top 10 - or even the top five at the conference meet," explained Clausen. "I would like to earn all-conference in track again. I also want to make the NCAA Championships. I think my best chances for that would be the 10,000."
With her dedication, discipline and determination, that goal is well within reach.
- Cheryl Flesch