Triumphs, Setbacks, and the Power of Genetics in Professional Running with Emily Infeld

In this episode of The Genetic Coach, USA professional athlete and Olympian Emily Infeld shares her inspiring journey in the world of professional running. She discusses her early love for the sport, her rise to become an NCAA champion, World Championships bronze medalist, and Olympian, and how she managed both triumphs and setbacks throughout her career. Emily reflects on her experiences with injuries, the emotional toll they took on her, and how working with a sports psychologist helped her. She also discusses how genetic testing has influenced her understanding of her body, training, and injury prevention, particularly with insights gained from the GENEFIT app. Emily emphasizes the importance of listening to one's body, being patient, and adjusting training to maintain long-term success in athletics. As she recovers from her current Achilles injury, she remains optimistic about future races while taking a cautious, body-first approach to her return to competition.

 

Key Talking Points

 

1. Introduction to Emily Infeld

   - World Championships bronze medalist, NCAA champion, and Olympian. 

   - Early love for running and how her passion developed over time.

 

2. Athletic Background

   - Started competing in road races at a young age and participated in various sports. 

   - Specialization in running during high school, winning multiple state titles and setting records. 

   - Continued success at Georgetown University, where she became a 12-time All-American and NCAA champion.

 

3. Professional Career and Transition

   - Went professional after college, choosing running over grad school. 

   - Sponsorship with Nike and joining a professional training group. 

   - Early career challenges with two sacral stress fractures and subsequent injuries.

 

4. Mental and Emotional Impact of Injuries

   - Emotional difficulty in handling injuries and learning how to recover properly. 

   - Began working with a sports psychologist to manage the mental toll of setbacks.

 

5. Genetic Testing and Training Insights

   - Emily’s experience using genetic testing to understand her strengths, including aerobic capacity and VO2 max. 

   - Insights into her predisposition to injuries, specifically tendon and ligament issues. 

   - How genetic insights now inform her training and injury prevention strategies.

 

6. The Importance of Listening to the Body

   - Emphasis on slowing down and not pushing through injuries to avoid long-term setbacks. 

   - Using data and tools like GeneFit to monitor internal and external load and prevent overtraining.

 

7. Reflections on Natural Talent vs. Hard Work

   - Acknowledges her natural talent but stresses that hard work, consistency, and smart training are essential to success. 

   - Believes that gradual progress and long-term commitment can surpass pure natural talent.

 

8. Olympic Experience

   - Achieving her dream of competing at the Rio Olympics in 2016. 

   - Overcoming a hip injury to qualify and compete in the 10,000-meter event. 

   - Highlights of competing in a world-record-setting race and the significance of representing her country.

 

9. Current Injury and Recovery

   - Recovering from an Achilles injury, focusing on taking a slow, cautious approach. 

   - Working closely with her coach and physical therapist to manage recovery and avoid re-injury. 

   - Plans to return to competition, with no specific race dates, prioritizing long-term health and fitness.

 

10. Future Goals and Outlook

   - Open to participating in road races or potentially a marathon, depending on her recovery. 

   - Looking forward to 2025 with a patient approach to training and racing.