INSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM Beth Butler '07 rocks hard and runs faster

Author: Ryan W. Reese, SPORTS EDITOR

Butler finished fourth in the 800m in last week's Division III New England Championships.

The Campus: How long have you been running?

Beth Butler: Since my freshmen year of high school. I wasn't too good in the beginning. In my first track race, the 100m hurdles, I ended up winning because the three other girls in my race fell. After that first taste of victory, I kept running. During my junior year, I began to devote more time to track and then decided I wanted to run in college.

TC: Good decision. So, what's your favorite thing about running now?

BB: It's definitely that feeling of accomplishment after knowing you've raced your hardest.

TC: So…you ran a 2:14 800m last week? How?

BB: A lot of it is because I have a great team and group of coaches who believe in me and push me to improve every race. My parents also came up to watch the race so that was a huge motivation too. I felt very lucky to have all of that support behind me when I was competing. Loud cheering always helps coming down the home stretch.

TC: What are your goals for the next few weeks?

BB: To run faster. I would like to drop my time again. My ultimate goal is make it into the top 15 and go to Nationals in Illinois.

TC: How many more meets are left until nationals?

BB: Well…we have Open New Englands and then ECACs. I've been pretty intense about my training, so hopefully it will pay off in the end.

TC: If a shoe company was going to sponsor you, which would you pick?

BB: Definitely Puma. I like their symbol. We used it on our Midd Track T-shirts because it looks like a Middlebury Panther.

TC: So you would want your Middlebury pride to show through in your professional career?

BB: Come on Ryan. You know I bleed Blue.

TC: What would the slogan of the advertising campaign be?

BB: Chasing Zero!

TC: Why "Chasing Zero?"

BB: Because as an 800m runner I would want to get a time under two minutes. Obviously. Don't worry…runners would understand.

TC: With this advertising campaign, you would of course have a movie deal. What song would be playing in the background of your hardcore training montage?

BB: The 1986 single, "The Final Countdown," sung by the Swedish rock band Europe. It's a classic pump-you-up song.

TC: Nice choice. Most sports uniforms have numbers - if you could have a track number, what would it be?

BB: Lucky number seven.

TC: How do you feel about nicknames such as Butts, Cheeks and Perky?

BB: I think they are pretty funny. I was called Perky in high school but now I've graduated to Butts and Cheeks in college. It is good because I don't like to be taken too seriously.

TC: For an away meet …who is your preferred roomie?

BB: Of course, I love all the girls on the team but I think I'll have to go with my San Diego roommate, Ms. Mary Frederickson. She was an awesome bed buddy and made me laugh.

TC: So…what's going through your head at the start of every race?

BB: There are a ton of things flying through my head at once. I try to focus on the race and think positively and aggressively.

TC: Any pre-race superstitions?

BB: I like taking a long shower the night before my race. It is a great way to clear my head and relax. The day of the race, I drink a ton of water and I also enjoy a banana or two to get my energy up.

TC: Bananas, huh? Wouldn't want to cramp up, I guess. If that's a concern, what is your favorite stretch?

BB: There are so many! I especially enjoy the traditional touch your toes bend and the squatting thigh stretch. Just about anything that makes me feel flexible.

TC: Plyometric?

BB: I couldn't do those even if I tried.

TC: I know that you are a history major. Who is your favorite President and why?

BB: Ulysses S. Grant! He has been completely misunderstood as a historical figure in American history. I could say more but I'll leave that for my senior thesis.

- Ryan W. Reese, Sports Editor