After being sidelined for over a year by a foot injury, Flanagan has been making up for lost time. Her highlights include breaking the American Records for the indoor 3k (8:33), outdoor 5k (14:44), and a second National Championship in the 5k. RUN caught up with Shalane just before she left for Osaka, Japan to compete in the World Track and Field Championships.

RUN: Congratulations on all of your achievements this year. What would you say has been the biggest contributor to your success?

Shalane: In a way the injury (fractured navicular) that held me out for a year was a blessing. It made me reevaluate my training techniques and it gave me a much needed mental break after four years of intense racing in college. I came back really hungry to get out there and prove that I could still be a contender. Injuries can make you a stronger athlete.