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Shayla Houlihan is a professional runner for Brooks, specializing in the Steeplechase. She placed 6th in the 2010 Outdoor USATF Championships in the steeplechase, 6th in the indoor 3k, and is looking to qualify for the London Olympics later this year. As she says on her twitter account, she is “Enjoying life one day at a time”. She was really nice to allow me to interview her and learn more about someone who jumps over barriers and runs through water for a living.
The Steeplechase is a challenging event, how did you get started in the steeple and were you nervous running your first race?
I first gained knowledge of what the steeple was when I was in high school. Every year I competed in the Sioux City Relays and would never miss the opportunity to watch the collegiate women race the steeple! I told myself I wanted to some day run one. The steeplechase kind of chose me in college. I was a consistently injured walk-on at Northern Iowa, fast forward to my sophomore year of college and this is when I begged Coach Kepler to take a chance on this fine event and me. That Spring I traveled to University of Mississippi to compete in my first ever steeplechase. The day prior to the race coach forced me to jump over my first water barrier ever! I kept running up to it and stopping. He said he’d pull me from the race if I didn’t jump it! I was terrified at the start line. Luckily there were other veteran women to calm my nerves. Now when I toe the line with newbie’s I’m always sure to comfort their fears.
How did you get started running, and can you tell me about your high school and college career?
I started running at a young age. Always following my Dad and Stepmom, Connie (whom was a world class marathoner back in the 80′s) around to different races to do the kids fun runs. My high school career would be a lot of Professional runner’s nightmares; nothing to really reminisce about. I qualified for the Iowa state high school meet in the 3,000 meters my senior year where I finished dead last. I started to get really interested in the sport in college when each year I would consistently drop :20 to :30 seconds in the steeplechase and other events. I realized my final year at Northern Iowa that I could realistically keep dropping time and once again Coach Kepler took a chance on me by offering a full scholarship to start my Masters in Health Promotion and Education at the University of Utah. Once again I dropped :30+ seconds in the steeplechase; which qualified me for the NCAA Regional meet. I still felt I had more to give to my running career so we continued to train while I helped coach.
For my readers who are unfamiliar with the womens steeplechase, could you explain the race including the number of barriers/height/water jump?
Every barrier is an immoveable, 30-inch high obstacle. There are 4 barriers plus 1 water jump in the 7.5 lap race (35 all together). The water barrier is 12 ft long with a deeper end closer to the barrier and becomes shallower towards the further edge.
Can you tell me about being a Brooks Beast runner?
Brooks Marketing guru Jesse Williams had a vision for Brooks and who he wanted to have represent the company. He originally signed 5 of us middle distance runners and we would meet up for different events. We became close friends/ teammates very quickly. Like I said, he’s pretty good at his job. He knew we’d all get along great and our personalities meshed very well. We are yet another support system for each other and love every opportunity we get to meet up!
From left to right, top to bottom: Angela Bizzarri, Amy Lia, Me, Gabriele Anderson and Katie Mackey
What is it like competing against the best runners in the USA at the USATF Championships?
I’m always excited and honored to be in the mix with the best track and field athletes in the world. We compete against each other here in the U.S. Then we go over to Europe or Canada and compete against each other some more. I love the opportunity to make myself a better, stronger and faster athlete through racing these women!
Can you tell me about your training to prepare for the Olympic Trials, what is a typical week like and how do you incorporate the barriers into your training?
Right now I am incorporating a lot of strength into my base mileage. We’ve found that I am the best athlete when I get 48 to 72 hours between harder efforts. Although when we start getting really specific with workouts I will have less rest to make sure I’m sharp for rounds at the trials. I won’t touch much on the track until mid February. Coach Kepler and I have the same goal in our minds so every thing I’m doing now is just part of the process to achieve that ultimate goal. I am consistently doing hip mobility and form drills to better my steeplechase form but I may not actually run over a hurdle before March. In the gym this week actually, I get to add in plyometrics that are very specific to the steeplechase. I’ll tell you about my last week- Sunday: Long run of 16 miles with a 4 mile progression run in the middle. Monday: Off, Tuesday: 5 miles + drills and strides, Wednesday: 3x2k @ threshold pace + sprints, 4 mile p.m. run + lifting Thursday: 8 mile morning run + 4 mile p.m. run, Friday: 4 mile morning run+ 10×300 meter gradual hill workout, and lifting after workout Saturday: 8 mile run+ drills and strides, 4 mile evening run.
Tell me about your life outside of running, what do you do for fun and what are your passions?
I keep a pretty balanced life outside of running although it seems to be somewhat running dominant. I work at Run Flagstaff, nanny, coach Team Run Flagstaff and I coach a few people on the side. I work close to 40 hours a week some weeks so when I’m not working or running I totally enjoy a night out on the town or any time I can get with my close friends! Coaching is my passion. I coached along side Coach Kepler at the University of Utah for 3 years prior to moving to Flagstaff. I miss it SO much!
What is your racing schedule this year?
I actually ran a 3k in Seattle this past weekend to get my qualifier for USA indoor championships. It was my first real track workout in 3 months so I’d say it went fairly well! Based on my race coach has requested that I run a mile before my next 3k. In mid February I will race another 3k on a 200 meter track to chase the world standard. Not sure where I’ll be racing, it’s usually a waiting game to see what meets I can get into. End of February I will make the short car trip to Albuquerque for USA indoor Championships and to celebrate 27th birthday! From there we mimic a lot of my 2010 season. Nothing is set in stone. Each race should build upon the next and should stay very specific.
What was the hardest race you ever ran?
The 2011 USA Steeplechase Prelim. That is the hardest most heartfelt race I’ve ever run. Hands down. After having a disappointing season I was able to pull myself together mentally and physically to make the final.
What is your favorite running story, whether it be a race or anything else?
This is a hard question! I have a lot of great memories of former teammates, coaches and professors at Northern Iowa and Utah who have helped me become who I am today. I would say my first trip to the Drake relays as a Ute was a pretty special moment. It was my first time to qualify. It had only taken me 9 years. I got to run the 4×1600 with 3 of my best friends, set a school record and run a steeplechase 2 hours later. The past 2 years I’ve won back-to-back titles in the steeplechase.
Janett Ern, Alyssa Abbott, Me and Chelsea Burrows
What is your goal for this year and at the Olympic Trials?
My #1 priority is making that team. Every little thing I do from here until the Olympic trials is to put me in the best possible position for June 29th. I’m very focused. I’m very driven. Most importantly, I know I’m capable.
Do you enjoy racing in Europe and is it a tough adjustment running there?
I really enjoy Europe and racing my fastest times over there. Nothing usually goes very smoothly while I’m there and that is usually when I race my best! I treat it like a business trip when I go which I feel has helped me stay focused and calm. I was able to run 9:51 over in Gent, BE this past summer, which secured me a spot at the trials. The A standard is significantly faster than it has been in the past few years, so this made me happy to not have to worry about it. I can put more of my focus on achieving the Olympic time standards now.
What advice would you give to a young runner who is thinking about running the steeplechase?
DO it! Hopefully there will be someone at the start line to help calm your nerves. Approach your first one with an open mind and be ready to absorb everything you’ll learn from it. I love the steeplechase with every ounce of my body. I’ve been so fortunate with this event and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I can’t even begin to explain the feeling of excitement I get every time I even think about stepping up to that starting line!
What’s your favorite prerace meal and after race meal?
Prerace- Oatmeal with dried or fresh fruit, nuts, and almond milk. I usually drink my fair share of coffee as well. Maybe enough for 3 or 4, but who’s counting? About an hour until race time I eat a vanilla yogurt.
After race- a protein shake as soon as I can get something down. That way my body is starting the recovery process as soon as possible. Beyond that I try to get carbs soon after that, then any real meal that is well rounded.
Being a professional runner you probably get to meet some famous people, who was the one athlete or person you were most excited to meet?
Wow, this is a tough question! Here is one scenario: The morning of Prefontaine Classic in 2010 Anna Pierce came and sat by me during breakfast. I was so excited to finally meet her! I enjoy her spunk and carefree attitude. That morning was incredible looking around the table and realizing the best runners in the U.S. and world surrounded me. I just shut my mouth and took it all in.
If you qualify for the Olympics, what do you think it will be like to represent your country in London?
It will be a huge honor. I can’t describe how excited and happy I will be for the opportunity to compete against the best in the world for the best team in the world. I will keep that in mind while wearing U.S.A. across my chest.
After your running career is over, what do you envision yourself doing, and do you wish to coach young athletes?
I most definitely see coaching young adults in my future. When that will be, I can’t say for sure. I love every step of the journey I’m currently on and will do it as long as I can!
What shoes do you race in and what shoes do you train in?
My racing spike is the wire. It fits like a glove! My racing flat is the T7 racer. You’ll find me kicking around the gym in these and pretty much everything else! My go to trainer that has never failed me is the Defyance. Through thick and thin they’ve seen me through!
You seem to have a great time with your fellow runners can you talk a little bit about them.
I love my running friends! My best friends for the most part I’ve met through running. I’m so lucky to have spent the last year training and traveling with “Sharindsay”(Erin Bedell and Lindsay Allen). We have a special bond because we have gone through a lot of peaks and valleys together. Even though we train now in different cities we keep up with each other on a daily basis via group chat on Whatsapp. We just spent a couple of weeks together traveling and training on the west coast where we were able to meet up with even more of our runner friends. We have fun, we train hard and most importantly keep each other grounded. Keep your eyes peeled for our next music video!
The latest video can be found at Wild Ones ft Sharindsay
Erin Bedell, Me and Lindsay Allen
This post was written by Andy - who has written 89 posts on RunningRunners
I ran cross country and track in high school and college. I focused on the 5000 and 10,000 meter races with pr‘s of 16:02 in the 5k and 34:27 in the 10k. After college I got out of the habit of running regularly. I ran sporadically throughout the past several years and have gotten out of shape. I needed motivation to get back into running, so I started this website to rekindle my love of running and encourage users to share their personal running stories. I’m going to track my runs and write about them here. I hope this will motivate and encourage you in your running as well. 
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
This is one of the best written sports interviews I have ever had the pleasure to read. Extremely informative and inspiring!
What a great interview. Steeplechase isn’t as recognized as many other track events. According to what i understand its one of the toughest. It makes me think about trying it, maybe once?
Great article – motivating and inspiring! I’ve just started to train for the steeplechase and have fallen in love with it.