Elevating her game
Elevating her game
By Mario Fraioli
Telegram & Gazette – July 16, 2006
With a running career that has already spanned 14 years, four continents, countless states, and thousands of miles, you might think that Erin Dromgoole would be ready for a break by now.
Think again.
The 26-year-old Millbury native, now living in Brighton, continues to train and race at a high level for the Reebok Boston Racing Club, building upon an already impressive running resume that includes a few dozen league, district and state titles, All-American honors at both Millbury High and Dartmouth College, and twice representing the United States on the international level. With credentials like these, what could there possibly be left to accomplish?
“I would really like to lower my 5K PR,” Dromgoole said of her unfinished business and current personal best of 16:27 in the event. “Last fall, I had my best post-collegiate cross country season ever, so I think that’s an attainable goal. I’d also like to help the team win a few championships during the cross country season because I know we’re talented enough to do that.”
At last November’s USATF National Cross Country Championships, Dromgoole ran 20:37 to finish an impressive fourth in the women’s 6K race, eight seconds behind winner Elizabeth Woodworth of the Wisconsin Runner Racing Team. In her best race since earning All-American honors for Dartmouth by finishing 23rd at the NCAA Division 1 Cross Country Championships in 2000, Dromgoole not only showed she still possessed the ability to compete with the best runners in the country, but also displayed the determination that has continuously allowed her to do so.
“Before the race, we talked about getting in the top 10, maybe even top five,” said her coach, Kevin Curtin of Billerica. “She ends up finishing fourth, her best race since her senior year of college. I finally catch up to her after the race and in elated tones I say, `Great race!’ To which she says, `I should have been third.’ The sort of drive and determination – you can’t coach that, you can’t teach that.”
Dromgoole, a teacher and track coach at the Roxbury Latin School in West Roxbury, has been training with Curtin and the Reebok Boston group since graduating from Dartmouth in 2001. Although balancing a demanding training schedule with her profession can prove hectic at times, Dromgoole believes the two feed nicely off each other.
“I think that being a teacher and a coach really helps my running,” Dromgoole said, “and vice-versa. I’m fortunate to work with a great group of kids who bring something new to the classroom every day. Their enthusiasm is infectious and I really think that benefits my training.”
Sometimes, however, a few untimely injuries have put a temporary halt to Dromgoole’s training. Over the course of her running career, Dromgoole has battled numerous injuries, including bouts with back problems, muscle pulls, stress fractures, and various other aches and pains. Still, they haven’t deterred her or kept her from doing what she does best.
“My pelvis is rotated more on one side than the other,” Dromgoole said, “so in order to keep it aligned, I have to be very diligent about doing core exercises that focus on my lower abdominals. It’s those extra exercises that keep me healthy.”
Curtin also has worked closely with Dromgoole, making changes in her training regimen when necessary to ensure that she’s spending more of her time on the roads than the sidelines.
“Last year was the first year that Erin finished the season when she wanted to, not when an injury forced her to,” Curtin said. “She spent a few years trying to get her mileage into the 60s (per week) and was constantly breaking down. Last fall, she got her mileage into the 50s and kept it there. She realizes that if she keeps her mileage in that range and stays healthy, she’ll continue to improve. As good as she is mentally, she’s running well because she’s finally been healthy.”
Running well may be a bit of an understatement for Dromgoole, especially the past few years. In February 2004, Dromgoole finished 23rd in the 4K race at the U.S. Winter Cross Country Championships and was selected for the U.S. squad that participated in an Ekiden-style relay race later that year in Beijing, China – her first appearance on a U.S. team.
Last fall, Dromgoole was the top American finisher at the New England Cross Country Championships at Franklin Park in Boston, placing third overall and earning another opportunity to represent the U.S. at the prestigious Ras na hEireann International cross country race in County Louth, Ireland, this past March. Dromgoole was the top American finisher in the Emerald Isle race, placing second over the 6K course in 21:22, 15 seconds behind Justyna Lesman of Poland, and leading the American squad to a one-point victory over Scotland in the team race.
“Racing internationally, both in China and Ireland, was an incredible opportunity to represent the U.S. and meet runners from around the world who share my passion,” Dromgoole said. “It’s difficult to explain the pride that comes with wearing a U.S. uniform and representing your country. So many people are watching you and they’re not saying, `There goes so-and-so,’ they’re saying, `They’re goes the United States.’ Belonging to both of those U.S. teams really caused me to elevate my game because I was representing so much more than myself.”
It’s that ability to elevate her game when a challenge arises that keeps Dromgoole going and has allowed her to excel at every level of her chosen sport.
“A few years ago, I was talking to Bob Sevene (Reebok Boston founder and former coach) about cross country nationals in Indianapolis,” Curtin said. “He asked who I was bringing and when I mentioned Erin, he said that she should do well because `that woman has the ability to elevate her game.’ She sets high goals and responds well to the challenges she sets for herself.”
