Cole Frank is one of the 2021 recipients of the LVRR Scholarship.
LVRR: What college will you attend and intended major of study? Do you plan to run while attending college?
CF: I will be attending Temple University this fall and plan on studying Finance at the Fox School of Business. I will be a part of Temple’s cross-country team!
LVRR: What age did you start running and why?
CF: I started running at around the age of 12-13 because my older brother decided to go out for the team, and he told me it was lots of fun. I then went out for the middle school team the next year!
LVRR: What is your greatest accomplishment in your running career?
CF: I could say my greatest accomplishment are my district championships or my state medals, but to me it is the work ethic I have acquired from this sport. It is so easy to just quit during the middle of a race, just like it is easy to quit your job when it gets hard. I believe all distance runners are more capable of succeeding for this reason.
LVRR: Describe an experience where you had to “sink or swim.” What did you learn from it?
CF: It has been nearly every single year. Throughout my four years of high school, I was coached by five different distance coaches. This had a huge impact on my training and confidence in my school’s program. Being forced into certain workouts that you know will not benefit you is a huge physical barrier.
LVRR: Who has been your most influential role model and why?
CF: To say I have one role model would be a lie. My two most influential role models are for sure my parents. They always have had confidence in me no matter the circumstances. They have provided me all the necessary tools and resources to become the greatest athlete, student, and person I can be.
LVRR: What would most people be surprised to learn about you?
CF: I think an interesting fact about myself is that I have sold hundreds of thousands of dollars of sneakers over the last two years. It has been a fun and profitable experience!
LVRR: What is one word you would say to someone who has just started running– whether it be a youth in the LVRR Kids Series, or an older individual- about why running is worth it?
CF: When I became a runner, I never had confidence in myself. At a young age, it is so hard to understand what work ethic really is. I always hated any type of running workouts because it hurt a lot and I wanted to give up. I never trusted myself to be a good runner. I was there for fun. I never thought I could medal at an invitational in 7th grade. I did in 8th grade. I never thought I could make states in 8th grade. I did all four years of high school. And if you told me I would win districts multiple times I would have laughed at you as a 9th grader. To summarize, you need to trust yourself and just keep pushing through. You will take away so much from this sport and make so many memories that you will cherish for the rest of your life.
LVRR: What cross training do you incorporate into your running routine, if any? Do you focus more on cross training in the off season (if there is an off season for you!), or do you tend to cross train throughout the entire training cycle?
CF: I cross train on the bike mainly and swim occasionally. It is so important to lower the stress on your legs and still get an aerobic workout.
LVRR: What are the top three “little things” that you do to prevent injury?
CF: Lift, Sleep, and Nutrition. Lift 3-5 times a week, Sleep 9+ hours a day, and make sure your diet incorporates all of the macros and nutrients your body needs to recover.
LVRR: What are your favorite pre-race and post-race meals?
CF: Bagel with peanut butter before, cheesesteak after!
LVRR: When faced with a rare but disappointing race finish or workout, how do you pick up and motivate yourself to try again? Is there a specific running mantra that has helped you pull through disappointment?
CF: You are never going to constantly get better. You will always have down days and down months. But consistency will make you constantly better over the years.
LVRR: What are three activities you enjoy doing apart from running?
CF: Basketball, Fishing, and Skiing.
