Murielle Ahoure Talks with TrackShark.com
Jan. 28, 2009
A special to hurricanesports.com from Tom Borish of trackshark.com.
CORAL GABLES – University of Miami senior Murielle Ahoure sat down with Tom Borish of trackshark.com and discussed her record-breaking performance and the rest of the 2009 season.
Congratulations on breaking the Miami school record in the 60 meters with your time of 7.17 set at the Kentucky Invitational. How thrilling is it to take down the record set by former Miami standout Lauryn Williams? Did you expect to run this fast so early in the season?
Thank you so much. I really appreciate you giving me the time. I am extremely trilled on breaking the 60 meter record. Lauryn William is someone that I have always looked up to so breaking her record was a huge honor for me. I did not expect to run that fast this early in the season. Coach Deem and I talked about just running relaxed and not trying to race the clock. I just focused on my start and getting to the finish line. I was really surprised when I looked up and saw the time.
How often does Lauryn Williams come to the track and practice with the team or is she on her own for most of the time? How has she helped you in your development this season?
Williams comes to the track everyday of the week and trains with her training group. We do not train with her but she always makes herself available to answer any questions that we may have. After my collegiate eligibility is up I am looking forward to joining her training group.
The timetable for your fitness level during your first meet at Miami seemed to worked well. How different has the training been at Miami than at George Mason where you transferred from?
The training has been very different. I love the fact that I could train in a warm climate year round. Adjusting to the humidity and the heat was a challenge but I got use to it. The weight lifting program was also a challenge because my main goal was to get stronger in the weight room so that I could apply that force to my race and start.
With your ticket now punched to compete at the NCAA Indoor Championships in March, what will you focus on in your training now that you have the qualifying mark out of the way?
Now that I qualified for the 60 meter dash, my focus really hasn’t changed. Coach [Amy] Deem and I have talked about getting ready for the ACC and NCAA Championships. Our weights and running workouts are still intense. I am working very hard to get ready for the long season and to compete very well. Some other important goals are to achieve the qualifying mark in the 200 and the 4×400 meter relay.
Looking at the 200 meters, is it a difficult transition for you to compete in this event considering the best phase of your race is the start? What do you look to improve on in the 200 meters?
In terms of the 200, I also want to qualify for the NCAA Championships and I am hoping to be running both events. I definitely want to get stronger so that I could finish the last 50 meters of my race properly.
Now that you have a full semester under your belt at Miami, how has everything been on campus for you since the transfer? I bet you must at least be enjoying the weather. Now that I have had a full semester under my belt, everything has been great. I love the weather and the city. The campus is breathtaking and I am just so happy and thankful to be here. School has been great the professors and the athletic department have been very helpful.
Considering all of the changes both academically and athletically that you’ve had to do through last year, what have been some of the more challenging aspects of the move?
It has been an extremely smooth transition and my teammates have made it even easier. They have helped me understand what it takes to be a Lady Cane. I am overjoyed with everyone’s respect for one another. Many of the girls and I have the same personalities and that alone is a great benefit. The coaches’ unity has also given me strength to understand what ever obstacles I have been faced with. Off the track my professors and supporting academic staff have extended themselves in ways that are difficult to put in words.
It was a pleasant surprise to see you run this fast in January. What are some of your long-term goals for not only the rest of the indoor season, but into the summer as well?
I have had some injuries in the past so my main goal is definitely staying healthy throughout the indoor and outdoor season. Also simply being very competitive at the indoor and outdoor ACC and NCAA Championships.
What are some of the workouts that you’ve had to endure over the past week? What are some of the most difficult training sessions that you’ve had to encounter?
Some of the workouts were a challenge for me mainly because of the heat and humidity but one I got used to it and stronger things have been pretty smooth. The hardest thing for me was adjusting to the weight program and also practicing right after.
When will you get to pass the stick around for the 4×100 meter relay? How excited are you to be a part of a team that could pose a threat to win the title during the outdoor season?
Obviously my teammates and I are very excited about the 4×100 relay, but right now our main focus is indoor track and field.
How do you find time to relax and enjoy everything when you’re away from the track?
I love reading so that is mainly what I do during my free time. I talk to my mother a lot she helps me relax and gives me great advice. I also hang out with my teammates or relax on the beach.
