(Lindsay is pictured on the left, wearing bib number 1394)

It’s a relatively cool Saturday morning in November of 2009 and you find yourself at one of the local Jacksonville 5k’s. You’ve been training all summer and know that you’re a shoe in for a top 10 spot, then suddenly you see this girl. Upon catching sight of her you think to yourself “if only I hadn’t been training, maybe I could justify running the race in 25 minutes.” (The magical number in which most of the super attractive girls like to hang out) It’s ok though, your plan is to finish the race and maybe you can find an excuse to run her in on your cool down.

The race director calls everyone to the line and the gun goes off, much to your surprise, so does she. You hit the first mile and this “slow girl” is ahead of you running at a clip of 5:15 per mile. Your head spins and you panic, am I really about to be chicked? After another hard 2 miles you finish the race with a decent time and a decent place, only to find out you lost to the girl by over 15 seconds.
Fast forward to present day and the girl who chicked you is a home town hero. Not only does she have one of the fastest 5k PR’s in town, she also just finished 12th in the steeple at the USA Track and Field Championships. If you live in Jacksonville you probably have heard the name Lindsay Sundell, if not you soon will.

Lindsay boasts PR’s of 15:49 in the 5k and 10:02 in the 3000m steeplechase. We’ve recently caught up with Lindsay to see how the quest for a sponsorship in going and what her plans are for the upcoming season.

Darrin: So Lindsay, you've been a competitive runner since you were younger, what brought you from New York to Florida?

Lindsay:Yeah, I have been running since I can remember! I was offered a scholarship to run for the University of Florida, and I was looking for a big school. I was also looking to get out of the Northeast, so Florida was enticing. After my official visit, I was hooked. It is an amazing school and campus.

Darrin: You had a great career at UF, you even qualified for the Trial in the steeple.After college though you took a little bit of a break, what convinced you to come back?

Lindsay: I was a little burnt out after college, and I was pretty set on being done. But keeping in shape turned into doing a couple races, and that turned into getting myself a coach. Now I feel that I am running 100% for myself, and it is a great feeling!

Darrin: You say you're training with a professional coach, how is what you are doing now different from college?

Lindsay: Training with my coach now is very different. I love it. I have a plan specifically designed for me, and I know that what I am doing is the right thing. In college, it can be difficult to get the one-on-one attention that some athletes require. At this point, there are no doubts in my mind, and it is a great feeling to have that kind of confidence in your coach.

Darrin: Your coach has been doing a great job with you. This year you set some huge PR's, has anyone been knocking at the door to sponsor you?

Lindsay: I have set PR's in practically every distance after just a year with my coach, but I am far from where I want to be in the long run (no pun intended, haha) I have not yet had any sponsors knocking on my door, but I still have time to show what I've got, so I am optimistic.

Darrin: From what we hear you have a pretty quick brother who has run at a pretty high level, do you two have any kind of sibling rivalry when it comes to competing?

Lindsay: Yes, my brother, Steve Sundell, is a quick one! He has run 2:16 for the marathon, 1:03 for the half marathon and 28:28 for the 10k. He has always been an inspiration for me, so there really is no rivalry. We run different distances and are supportive of each other. We may joke around every now and then, but it is all in good competitive fun.

Darrin: That's is cool to hear, its always good having someone you can get advice from and look up to. Now you recently ran at the USATF National Championships, how'd it go?

Lindsay: It went alright, I ran the Steeple there and placed 12th. I was not planning on going in that distance, because it had been three years since I had raced that event, but I ran a qualifying time at a small local meet and decided to see what I could do. I am not 100% happy with my performance, but as I said before, I am optimistic about the future, so all I can do is look forward. It was a great experience though, so I can't complain.

Darrin: Now that this track season is pretty much over, what's next?

Lindsay: My coach and I have spoken a bit about what is to come, and I am pumped to say the least, but you will just have to wait and see what happens! I will say that I look to further improve on my times in the 5k and Steeplechase.

Darrin: Well we look forward to seeing what you do in the future. Before we let you go do you have any advice you can share with our young up and comers?

Lindsay:  Well, I still consider myself somewhat of an up and comer, as I believe I have not yet shown what I am capable of. But, for those who are trying to make it, all I can say is to do it for yourself. Love the sport and enjoy the ride because there is nothing sweeter than reaching your goal after all the hard work you put in. All those runs where you feel like crap, and your tired and its 85 degrees at 5:30am with 90% humidity (at least for us Floridians!), keep the goal in mind. It just makes you stronger and tougher!

Darrin: Thanks so much for talking with us Lindsay, good luck with the upcoming season.

Lindsay: Thank You

If you are interested in following Lindsay in the upcoming months make sure to keep checking www.distancepreps.com. We will follow her and many other athletes this up coming season.

By Darrin DeTorres