Courtney Frerichs’ Return to Racing and Plans Beyond Track | Episode 14

Sarah Lorge Butler talks to Courtney Frerichs, 2021 Olympic silver medalist and the American record holder in the steeplechase. In April 2024, Courtney tore her ACL and both her medial and lateral menisci while going over a water barrier during practice. 

She thought that might be the end of her professional running career, but over the past year, she has worked her way back. In May, she finished third at the USATF 5K Championships in 15:18. Courtney talked about considering retiring, working her way back, whether she'll run the steeplechase again, and some of her other goals for the future.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 1:21 Courtney's injury, surgery, and recovery
• 6:34 On considering retiring after her injury
• 9:26 Getting her masters, and her med school plans
• 12:17 Having a backup plan as a pro runner
• 14:44 Her gymnastics background and how it has helped
• 19:51 How she wound up with her new coach and training group
• 24:33 Will she return to the steeplechase this season?
• 28:25 What training groups are good for, and what their limitations are
• 30:53 Her Swoosh TC experience
• 34:14 What she's most looking forward to this season
• 35:25 Marathon??
• 37:04 Outro