Maegan Krifchin is having one heck of a 2012 racing season. This coming weekend she'll run the World Half Marathon Championships, representing Team USA and running for a new PR and compete against some of the best in the world. We caught up with Maegan earlier this week, talking about her training, being part of the Stotan training group and much more.

Scott Bush (SB): You've had quite a big 2012 racing season, with some impressive results and nice improvements. What do you attribute your jump in success to?

Maegan Krifchin (MK): I believe it just comes with time, and learning myself as i develop as a runner. Additionally, it comes with different training since my collegiate career.  Since college, I have become more of a distance runner, increasing the focus of races on the roads and the longer distances, such as the half marathon.  So, gradually, increasing my mileage and bumping up workout intensity and volume within the workout.

SB: How has your training been leading up to this weekend's event?

MK: My training has been a great block of training leading into this event.  It has been very strong and consistent and I had really been very happy with some of my workouts.  The focus has been on my strength, working on some longer intervals and tempos, as well as tapping into some of my speed and turnover with some shorter workouts.

SB: Obviously there was quick turnaround from being named to the team and having to compete in Bulgaria. How did you change your training to quickly match the competition you were now targeting?

MK: Training hasn't changed drastically for this race.  We knew in planning the training that this race would most likely be in the schedule.  For the last month we have been working on my strength and my speed for closing for the race finish.  Additionally, just preparing for this trip, traveling and getting ready for the race and who I am competing with.

SB: What's it like being part of Stotan Racing? It's a group not many people know much about. Could you explain the group a bit for us?

MK: I enjoy being part of Stotan racing, and being a Stotan.  It currently is a small post collegiate group in Syracuse NY, coached by Bill and John Aris.  It is a small group with big potential.  The group is all about training hard and thinking big.  The group is mainly men, with focus on the marathon, and some looking at the track for some fast times this spring.  I am the only female, but enjoy running with the guys when i can and just being at the track for workouts the same time as the guys. There are good team dynamics and I have awesome teammates and have made some great friends.

SB: Can you talk about your collegiate running background a bit?

MK: I went to Syracuse university for undergrad, and I ran for them all 4 years.  My focus was on the middle distances on the track, and ran cross country.  I think my career there was a great learning experience.  I got to see that team develop, going from a team that never qualified for the NCAA championships, to qualifying the first time when I was a junior, to the team that is in the top 10 rankings this year. This just shows that in time, with the right group and training, you can develop and accomplish your goals and be consistent at that level.

I went to Ithaca College for graduate school, and helped volunteer coach with the men's distance team.  I had a great experience working with their team, getting to run and workout with the team and getting some experience coaching.

SB: What do you feel is next for you as a professional runner? What's your next big goal or goals?

MK: After this race I am planning to focus a bit on the track. I would like to run the 5k and the 10k and get some new pr's and just compete in those events. I have yet to run a 10k on the track so it's exciting to test that out and see what I can do.

I still plan on running road races as well this year, just find a balance of both track and road, or just fit some road races into the track season.  We'll see, I still have some planning and scheduling to do, which is always fun.

Fast Four (four quick questions, four quick answers) 

SB: Favorite song?

MK: For Good- Wicked…and for a pump up song, going old school with- Heart of a Champion-Nelly

SB: Favorite city you've raced in?

MK: Ahh, this is tough! Well, Syracuse of course! But I've had some great experiences throughout this year and really enjoyed all the cities!  Most recently it was Duluth, MN.

SB: Shoes you race in?

MK: Nike LunarRacers

SB: What did you get your degree in

MK: Graduate- Occupational Therapy; Undergrad Health and Exercise Science