chasingGLORY
2008 U.S. Olympic Trials-Women's 20km Race Walk
Susan Armenta
Susan took up race walking after suffering from severe shin
splints in high school while competing in cross country. She
went on to compete in race walking and cross country for
Wisconsin-Parkside in 1992, qualifying for the World Jr.
Championships and the Olympic Trials in race walking as a
freshman. Has since returned to Southern California where she
resided at the Arco Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista.
After a disappointing finish at the 2000 Olympic Trials, Susan
planned to retire from race walking. But in 2001, USATF
recognized the 50 km race walk championship for women,
motivating Susan to attempt the new distance. Her efforts were
successful, as she established the American record in 4:49:57,
and then broke her own record the following year with a time of
4:39:39. Susan decided to continue training for the 2004
Olympics in the 20 km. Meanwhile, she has been attending
school full-time and will graduate from Cal State San
Bernardino's Kinesiology program in December of 2003. She
will continue on to graduate school in Exercise Physiology.
Why don’t you start off by telling me how you made the
decision to try to qualify for the Olympic 20Km Race
Walk Trials. How and when did you decide to go for
this feat?
I decided to train for the 20km racewalk trials last
year after running the Rock N Roll Marathon in San
Diego. After taking some time off of racewalking (not
having competed since the 2004 trials), I realized
that I missed training and I didn't want to lose my
conditioning from the marathon training. I figured
training for the 20km walk again would be an easy
transition.
It seems like you are suited for the 20kms, as
training for the event requires lots of miles.
I've always enjoyed the longer distances, which led me
to try out the 50km back in 2001 and 2002. The 20km is
just the right distance for me competitively.
Let’s rewind back to your childhood growing up. How
did you catch the race waling bug?
Back in high school (I won't date myself), I ran cross
country and track. During the fall of my junior year,
I trained so hard during the summer, that I developed
shin splints from running. I wanted to stay in shape,
so a team mate suggested that I try racewalking.
Racewalking wasn't offered in the track program, but
was open to club teams. So I tried it out. I was
fortunate enough to get connected with the Inland
Empire Racewalkers in Riverside and began training
with the group on the weekends. They were so
supportive and fun, being part of that team made me
want to pursue racewalking competitively.
How does it feel to be able to call yourself an
Olympic Trials Finalist?
Always a finalist, never an Olympian! Since this is
my 5th Olympic Trials, I'm hoping to break that
streak!
How does your family feel about your race walk
achievements and time commitment to make the Olympic
Team?
They are supportive, but think I'm crazy!
Do you plan on walking any races between now and the
Trials?
No, just getting in some quality workouts.
How about naming five or so keys to success for you
personally as a race walker?
1) Support from family/significant other
2) Support and positive energy from friends/social
network
3) Support from employment
4) Awesome coaches and support crew
5) Believing in myself and having others believe in
me.
In terms of the Olympic Trials, is it challenging or
even a bit daunting to mentally prepare yourself to
compete against some of the best athletes in America?
Having competed in international races where Americans
don't fare so well, it's a bit humbling. Here in the
U.S., it's not as intimidating. I've been racewalking
for a while now, so I'm mentally prepared to take on
the best walkers the U.S.
Who are your race walk heroes, and what about those
athletes impress you the most?
I am impressed by Teresa Vaill. She has been
racewalking longer than any of us in the field and she
still kicks butt!
Discuss a particular workout you have done that you
are most happy with.
My coach has incorporated a physical conditioning
workout in my regimen that I feel has made the most
impact on my performance this year. After a long warm
up, I do 45-55 minutes of conditioning that includes
plyometrics (high knees, butt kicks, jump squats) and
core work with specific technical drills. After
that, I do 30 mins. - 1 hour of V02 max training.
This is a killer workout, but has improved my muscular
strength and aerobic and anaerobic threshold.
Do you have any specific goals for the Olympic Trials?
Do whatever it takes to make the team.
In terms of strategy, do you try to look for
particular woman to stick near, or do you walk more of
your own race?
More of my own race.
What is it about the Olympic Trials that you are most
looking forward to?
Finishing!
What are some of the key lessons you have learned the
past two years?
It is possible to have a life while training for
racewalking. I used to feel that in order to be
competitive, it was all or nothing. It takes a balance
of work, training, socializing, and recovering. As
long as one has the time to recover, then I think it's
possible and healthy to have some distractors in life.
Do you see yourself continuing to race walk until 2012
and to try for the Olympics again?
We'll see. I have the tendency to retire and come out
of retirement, so who knows?
splints in high school while competing in cross country. She
went on to compete in race walking and cross country for
Wisconsin-Parkside in 1992, qualifying for the World Jr.
Championships and the Olympic Trials in race walking as a
freshman. Has since returned to Southern California where she
resided at the Arco Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista.
After a disappointing finish at the 2000 Olympic Trials, Susan
planned to retire from race walking. But in 2001, USATF
recognized the 50 km race walk championship for women,
motivating Susan to attempt the new distance. Her efforts were
successful, as she established the American record in 4:49:57,
and then broke her own record the following year with a time of
4:39:39. Susan decided to continue training for the 2004
Olympics in the 20 km. Meanwhile, she has been attending
school full-time and will graduate from Cal State San
Bernardino's Kinesiology program in December of 2003. She
will continue on to graduate school in Exercise Physiology.
Why don’t you start off by telling me how you made the
decision to try to qualify for the Olympic 20Km Race
Walk Trials. How and when did you decide to go for
this feat?
I decided to train for the 20km racewalk trials last
year after running the Rock N Roll Marathon in San
Diego. After taking some time off of racewalking (not
having competed since the 2004 trials), I realized
that I missed training and I didn't want to lose my
conditioning from the marathon training. I figured
training for the 20km walk again would be an easy
transition.
It seems like you are suited for the 20kms, as
training for the event requires lots of miles.
I've always enjoyed the longer distances, which led me
to try out the 50km back in 2001 and 2002. The 20km is
just the right distance for me competitively.
Let’s rewind back to your childhood growing up. How
did you catch the race waling bug?
Back in high school (I won't date myself), I ran cross
country and track. During the fall of my junior year,
I trained so hard during the summer, that I developed
shin splints from running. I wanted to stay in shape,
so a team mate suggested that I try racewalking.
Racewalking wasn't offered in the track program, but
was open to club teams. So I tried it out. I was
fortunate enough to get connected with the Inland
Empire Racewalkers in Riverside and began training
with the group on the weekends. They were so
supportive and fun, being part of that team made me
want to pursue racewalking competitively.
How does it feel to be able to call yourself an
Olympic Trials Finalist?
Always a finalist, never an Olympian! Since this is
my 5th Olympic Trials, I'm hoping to break that
streak!
How does your family feel about your race walk
achievements and time commitment to make the Olympic
Team?
They are supportive, but think I'm crazy!
Do you plan on walking any races between now and the
Trials?
No, just getting in some quality workouts.
How about naming five or so keys to success for you
personally as a race walker?
1) Support from family/significant other
2) Support and positive energy from friends/social
network
3) Support from employment
4) Awesome coaches and support crew
5) Believing in myself and having others believe in
me.
In terms of the Olympic Trials, is it challenging or
even a bit daunting to mentally prepare yourself to
compete against some of the best athletes in America?
Having competed in international races where Americans
don't fare so well, it's a bit humbling. Here in the
U.S., it's not as intimidating. I've been racewalking
for a while now, so I'm mentally prepared to take on
the best walkers the U.S.
Who are your race walk heroes, and what about those
athletes impress you the most?
I am impressed by Teresa Vaill. She has been
racewalking longer than any of us in the field and she
still kicks butt!
Discuss a particular workout you have done that you
are most happy with.
My coach has incorporated a physical conditioning
workout in my regimen that I feel has made the most
impact on my performance this year. After a long warm
up, I do 45-55 minutes of conditioning that includes
plyometrics (high knees, butt kicks, jump squats) and
core work with specific technical drills. After
that, I do 30 mins. - 1 hour of V02 max training.
This is a killer workout, but has improved my muscular
strength and aerobic and anaerobic threshold.
Do you have any specific goals for the Olympic Trials?
Do whatever it takes to make the team.
In terms of strategy, do you try to look for
particular woman to stick near, or do you walk more of
your own race?
More of my own race.
What is it about the Olympic Trials that you are most
looking forward to?
Finishing!
What are some of the key lessons you have learned the
past two years?
It is possible to have a life while training for
racewalking. I used to feel that in order to be
competitive, it was all or nothing. It takes a balance
of work, training, socializing, and recovering. As
long as one has the time to recover, then I think it's
possible and healthy to have some distractors in life.
Do you see yourself continuing to race walk until 2012
and to try for the Olympics again?
We'll see. I have the tendency to retire and come out
of retirement, so who knows?
