Interview: Donna MacFarlane: 3000m steeplechase specialist

Donna MacFarlane has seen it all: the high of a Bronze medal at her home Commonwealth Games, the low of losing her shoe in the first round of the World Championships, and the joys of motherhood. In a little under three months, Donna will lead the Australian charge at the Beijing Olympic Games where she will compete in her pet event, the 3000m steeplechase, and if past form is anything to go by, she may just come home with some extra luggage. Donna currently has run the fastest time in the world this year (9:29.93). We caught up with Donna just before she left the country, ready to let the rest of the world know who she is.

Runner’s Tribe (RT): Donna, first of all congrats on the win in Doha. You managed to take some great scalps, and with the Olympics just around the corner, it must be a great confidence booster!

Donna MacFarlane (DM): I was really happy to win in Doha, because it had been a very difficult week for me leading up to the race, with the unexpected death of my coach, Max Cherry. I attended his funeral the day before I traveled to Qatar and I knew it would require all my physical and mental strength to perform well. It was great for me to win ahead of some tough competition, because in the last few races I’ve been alone out in front, and it’s hard to improve that way.

RT: How influential was Max Cherry on your running career, and how has it affected you in your preparation for the upcoming races?

DM: Max had coached me since early 2005, when I asked to join his running group for company while I tried to get fit for some local fun runs. I hadn’t done any exercise in almost six years, so Max guided me through a very exciting period of huge personal improvement. If it wasn’t for him, I would not have returned to competitive athletics.

Max essentially taught me how to run - he was a strong believer in having a good technique and he helped me improve my running style. Max also worked with me on the psychological aspects of training and competing. He helped strengthen my self confidence and the belief that I am as good as anyone.

The things I learnt from Max about running and life in general will always stay with me.

RT: How many races do you have left in the lead up to the Beijing Olympics? Is it all overseas from now on?

DM: I have just arrived in the Belgian city of Ghent, where I will be based for the next six weeks for the purpose of training and racing. I am here with my family (husband Marty and two children aged six and three years old) and training partner, Ryan Foster. I have several races planned in Europe, over 1500m and 3000m as well as the steeplechase in the Oslo Golden League before I return to Australia.

I will spend four weeks at home in Tasmania before the Olympics and will do at least one road race before I head overseas again. My racing schedule and results will be updated on my website at www.donnamacfarlane.com

     

RT: Why do you think it is that at 30 years young you seem to be reaching your peak, when for a lot of runners, it is often much earlier in their career?

DM: I think I’ve paced myself well! Thanks to my first coach, I was lightly trained and not pushed too hard as a junior athlete. Now that my body is stronger, I can train hard without breaking down. I can’t remember when I last missed training through injury.

I also think that my life experience helps me be a better athlete. I am mentally stronger and I can deal with setbacks by putting my athletics in perspective. It is harder for younger athletes to make athletics their focus, when so many other areas of life seem uncertain. I’m lucky that the big questions of family and career in my life are sorted.

Besides that, I did no running for six years, so my ‘training age’ is still young. I believe my fastest times are ahead of me.

RT: Back in Japan in 2007, you lost your shoe early on in the first round of competition at the World Champs. Have you tried to put that mishap out of your mind, or has it been one of the motivating factors for you before the upcoming Olympics?

DM: I regard the experience in Osaka as a great disappointment and generally really bad luck. I have moved on though and I don’t think about it now. But it highlights for me the importance of making the most of every opportunity. I wasn’t at fault in Osaka, but the missed opportunity has made me more determined to give 100% every time I race. In hindsight, the experience was an encouraging test of my character and resilience. The strength I gained from it will benefit me in Beijing.

RT: Obviously being a successful female athlete you are going to have a lot of young girls looking up to you as their role model and inspiration. Are there any words of advice you can offer them in terms of how they can get the most out of their running?

DM: My recipe for athletic success would include: a coach and training group, personal goals and consistent training. I think you need to enjoy running, but it helps me to remember that running is not easy- there are going to be setbacks, so persevere and be patient. It has taken me a long time to be really successful, and there is so much more I want to achieve. I hope that other young athletes can see what I have done, and feel inspired that anything is possible for them too.

    

RT: We know that it’s not always easy being a runner - there are often not many avenues for sponsorship and assistance. Apart from your spot on the Mitsubishi advertisement, has there been any other assistance for you in your Olympic journey?

DM: My key supporter is the Tasmanian Institute of Sport. I am a member of Team Mannatech, which provides me with nutritional supplements, and part of Mitsubishi’s Beijing Bound initiative. I feel quite discouraged though, that I do not have a shoe contract - and it’s not through a lack of trying. I don’t understand the logic. I’ve been ranked in the world top 10 for the past three years, with wins in a World Tour event and Super Grand Prix already this year. I think I’ve got a lot to offer as an athlete, and I try not to let it get me down.

RT: I noticed that one of your hobbies is baking; do you have a specific meal that you have before every race?

DM: I make a lot of snacks like muffins, fruit loaves, carrot cake and banana bread. I go through a lot of oats! I take the snacks with me to eat after training, and also use them to fill up the school lunch boxes. Regular ‘snack food’ is too high in sugar and fat - and expensive. As far as cooking goes, that’s my husband’s domain. He’s in charge of the kitchen and he’s a great cook. Before races I have some type of carbohydrate-based meal, but I’m flexible.

RT: It appears that you’re also quite the super mum! Not only do you have to devote much of your time to your Olympic aspirations, but you have two young children to look after. How do you find a balance between the family and the running?

DM: I’m not the typical athlete. Having children requires a lot of juggling and sometimes it’s hard to get the rest I need. It would be almost impossible without the support of my husband and extended family. I also rely heavily on my neighbours who babysit for me while I train. It’s a costly exercise, but I wouldn’t change a thing…besides, I wasn’t nearly as fast before I had children!

    

RT:We understand that your entire family will remain in Tasmania during the Olympics. Is this a decision of yours or one based around logistics and expense?

DM: Our European adventures will certainly stretch our finances, but the decision not to go to Beijing is as much about logistics. My husband has to go back to work, my daughter has to go to school, and the thought of trying to get around China with two children is frankly horrible. Marty doesn’t even like taking them both to the local shops without me. We figured we probably wouldn’t see each other in Beijing anyway.

RT: Donna, best of luck from all of us here at The Runner’s Tribe, and no doubt the rest of Australia. We look forward to seeing your results leading up to the Games in August!