Parker Valby After Qualifying For Her First Olympic Team In The 10,000 Meters, Her Hopes For Paris

Newly minted-Olympian and 5x NCAA champion Parker Valby joins us live in Eugene after her runner-up finish in the 10,000m and 4th place finish in the 5000m. Parker shares about how she almost decided not to contest the Olympic Trials 10,000m, how she’s been able to stay mentally composed with how often she’s raced this year, what it’s been like racing among the pros at the Olympic Trials, what her training has looked like the past month while in Eugene, why she goes off the grid on social media before races, and what she’s looking forward to most in Paris.
Parker also chats with us about her love for kombucha and her favorite music. Hear more from Parker and what’s ahead for her in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast.
Take this interview on-the-go with the CITIUS MAG Podcast version
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Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Karen Leciewicz | @kara_les on Instagram
Guest: Parker Valby | @parkervalby on Instagram
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[@mrhypobaric2532]

Parker is the FACE of running's new CROSS-TRAINING revolution. It makes so much sense form an exercise physiology point of view.

[@mrhypobaric2532]

The first athlete to be sponsored not by a shoe manufacturer, but rather by a piece of gym equipment (ARC Trainer with arms).

[@brandondaniels9471]

@@mrhypobaric2532 and the first to be sponsored by a kombucha company 😂

[@mrhypobaric2532]

@@brandondaniels9471 Kombucha & Cybex are co-sponsors 😂😂

[@Astro2024]

This. Crosstraining needs to be more widespread

[@tezster0]

Not sure why some people hate on her - she injects some fun and personality into her races and interviews. Track has such a niche following, and needs all the help it can get to attract an audience. And she's only 21... let her be goofy once in awhile. Most importantly, she's an exciting athlete to watch, because she races boldly, and isn't afraid go out fast and set the pace.

[@warrenlu6724]

she has pick me energy

[@TrackandAce]

It might be the Katelyn Tuohy fans, other than that she's highly likable and seems to have a good overall personality. Track needs to show some more personalities outside of Noah Lyles and Sha'Carri Richardson. Parker is super marketable!

[@kpperry784]

Wait people hate on her? She only seems like a happy talented athlete.

[@kpperry784]

@@TrackandAceAgreed. We need to support our athletes across the board. Even the field events. They represent us.

[@ebruner2090]

@@warrenlu6724 Pick me energy? I feel like it’s just 21-year-old who recently graduated college energy. I’d rather her be a little silly than give a bunch of scripted responses.

[@gcklo]

I was skeptical if Parker Valby could compete with the big girls. I was so wrong. She ran 2 amazing races. Well done and big congrats!

[@jaahmaan1]

She can compete with big girls in her region, that’s just about it

[@stevebarone7886]

@@jaahmaan1 Now for sure. She will get stronger as she matures.

[@jaahmaan1]

@@stevebarone7886 she will for sure, but asking her to take down the East Africans is a very very tall task

[@TrackandAce]

Parker has stepped up and become the new face of US long distance sprinting. Originally Katelyn Tuohy was pegged for this position, but then she got hurt and Parker Valby took over. Parker has the perfect look and personality, super marketable. I hope she medals in Paris!

[@jaahmaan1]

She has close to zero chance medaling in Paris, but anything can happen that’s why I said close to zero, but the reality is if the East Africans come in form it’s really closer to zero

[@TrackandAce]

@@jaahmaan1 I agree, plus she's doubling in two events, I believe her best chance is in the 10k, but like you said those Africans are a threat, though, so we'll have to see.

[@roni1451]

I think I saw Elle St Pierre mentioned she was dropping the 5k for 1500 cause its too many heats with both events. So Valby is next up for 5k.

[@jacob45415]

@@roni1451 so is Parker already in the Olympics ?

[@kirillkazakov1332]

​@@jacob45415 looks exactly like that, she's going

[@steventownley3342]

10000m most likely on points and 4th place finish in 5 but with the winner not taking spot count back for parker.

[@jonb9194]

Thanks so much for doing this. Runners are human beings, and no athlete could get thrown into the post-collegiate running world with the USA Olympic Trials without getting bent. Three minute post-event interviews are often hopeful signs, but after 20 minutes here it's very obvious Parker has emerged unbroken.

[@Nickster_28]

Fun interview, I was fully invested! Didn't know cows were Parker Valby's favorite animal.

[@Fefotwo-ps6hd]

She pulls the curtain back on the mental part of being an athlete and why a support system is so important.

[@granthardy5844]

Well done Parker.......all the best for Paris 🎉

[@wiseone2173]

She is always a great interview!

[@Hdrunner647]

Nice interview folks. She is so fun to watch race.

[@chrisworthington2350]

Parker is a Star

[@Lou-jl4ov]

Will be wild when she actually trains at altitude someday!

[@jwoodard29]

Actually she has 6 NCAA titles, not the five indicated.

[@chrisdidonna7371]

This girl is so good 30:50 for 10k, is no joke

[@TimeToFlush]

Great show and great questions in this interview! What? your song isn't Tom Petty's I'm Learning To Fly??? Well, I started out down a dirty road Started out all alone And the sun went down as I crossed the hill And the town lit up, the world got still [Chorus] I'm learning to fly but I ain't got wings Coming down is the hardest thing...

[@paulalyssaclaire]

Why hasn’t Cybex just given her an arc trainer. They should customize one for her.

[@peachxblue]

Right!!!?????

[@peachxblue]

In the future, Parker will develop a collab w arc trainer - ARMS edition - and a kombucha. She’s awesome and can’t wait for her Paris (& Switzerland!!)

[@BCalvo-kf9tj]

she is stopping in Switzerland 🤔 Signing with On.?

[@nairbil]

She has a NIL with Nike

[@BCalvo-kf9tj]

@@nairbil it would end when she is done with her college comp ends.? Just speculation..

[@ConcernedCitizen5514]

Is she going to run the 5,000 in the Olympics now after St. Pierre, the winner of the US Olympic Trials, said that she isn't going to run that race in the Olympics?

[@kittykatkayte5061]

Yes potentially

[@larrylem3582]

Presuming she gets into the 10k, did she say whether she plans on running both the 5k and 10k at Paris?

[@brandondaniels9471]

she hasn’t said anything publicly about that yet. but assuming that one of the top 3 5k women drop out, she’d prob focus on the 5k since it’s her main race and the one she has actually trained for. i doubt she’d run both since she’s admitted tired from all of the races she has run over the last year. regardless, i’m just glad she was able to make the team, even if it’s the 10k

[@markmurray6039]

@@brandondaniels9471 I think she races the 10. Straight to finals. In the 5k there will likely be 25+ athletes with faster times. No guarantee she makes the final. She likely has the 10th best time in the 10k.

[@MrNoName7474]

@@markmurray6039Schedule doesn’t look too bad with 5k 8/2 & 8/5 and 10k on 8/9. Still 20k racing in one week. I think World Athletics will make the entries official on 7/7. Rankings period just ended and updated today and I heard athletes have to confirm by 7/4.

[@roustabout4fun]

Good deal~ Enjoy the memories! and make more......TBC! Try the Strawberry/Vanilla flav for another Win! Good Luck Team uSa!

[@LuisFernando-ot9yv]

I saw that Ella St. Pierre decided not to do the 5k does that mean that Parker can run the 5k instead of 10k for the Olympics?

[@mason7642]

yes but I would expect her to do the 10k only or both.

[@zachstone6746]

Thumbnail appreciation comment 🦆

[@Nickster_28]

Those "multiplers" at certain meets pertaining to world rankings don't make any sense to me. I agree with Parker, that is a silly concept. I don't understand how the system works tho either😂 I feel that the system could be more cut and dry.

[@debrascott8775]

I believe its intended to incent athletes to run races where there is a strong field, not just a random easy win. I THINK. LOL

[@Nickster_28]

@@debrascott8775 Good point.

[@emmalongsjo6917]

Americanos for the win!

[@brianmeegan6384]

@@emmalongsjo6917 Ethiopia may be a slight factor...

[@thenetnet5556]

That was a pretty stupid interview... but watched every minute if it. Loved the three of you!

[@jondevaney6860]

People need to get real - the Kenyan and Ethiopian women will be at the Paris Olympics, and based on their recent performances (Beatrice Chebet, etc), they will be running the 5km in about 14 minutes and the 10km in about 29 minutes. Parker V would be way back, as in lapped in the 10km. Look for Valby in 2028 and 2032, not now.

[@user-xp1yq7ef1l]

Her best time in the 5K is 14:51 and the world record is 14 flat so she wouldn't be lapped there unless the record is broken by more than 70 seconds.The best time this year is only 14:18. She has the 48th fastest time this year. 10K? she will surely get lapped like you said. Her best this year was a 30:50 and the world record was set this year at 28:54. She shouldn't medal this time but 2028 and 2032 she should have a great chance.

[@valleyshrew]

@@user-xp1yq7ef1l Remember, the Olympics distance races often arent near the world records. At the London Olympics the 10k was 30:20 & 5k was 15:04.

[@jaahmaan1]

And what will she do in 2028 or 2032? There will be about 50 new East Africans in that span who will be smoking valby in those years I mean she good but not on that level, probably never

[@jaahmaan1]

@@user-xp1yq7ef1lbut in the next two Olympics there will probably be about 50 new East Africans who blitz the times she is running

[@user-xp1yq7ef1l]

@@jaahmaan1 Look are her times progression. She's only 21. She'll be there.

[@keithwing4715]

She doesnt have the qualifying time so how is she going to paris?

[@JohnMcIlroyTax]

She has the qualifying time for the 5K. Ran it at the Trials The 10K goes by points and not time.

[@omega125th]

against the world's best...Ms Valby has a bit of work to do.... like 2 min improvement to keep up with the Kenyan & Ethiopian(& former who runs for NL) athletes who are the favs for the hardware

[@Lou-jl4ov]

4 years down the road for that, whenever she trains at altitude for the first time will help

[@ithinkthereforeitalk935]

@@Lou-jl4ov 2 min is a huge time difference. It's like the dif between a truly gifted athlete and a bunch of average pro runners. And those athletes who you think she might beat in 4 years were much faster at her age.

[@kittykatkayte5061]

@@ithinkthereforeitalk935 Different people peak at different times, Parker has a bright future and is a very gifted athlete

[@zackdisharoon6239]

@@ithinkthereforeitalk935 it’s a difference in training methodology. East Africans hit insane mileage from an early age, whereas western athletes progress through high school and college at reduced mileages with an aim for longevity and peaking in their prime.

[@ithinkthereforeitalk935]

@@kittykatkayte5061 nah, she is average on the world stage. You, americans, always think that you have it bigger, longer, brighter, etc🤪 But your athletes are no competition for elite african runners. Athletes you call gifted would never be even chosen to represent those africans countries. It's just how slow they are.

[@matthewbaynham6286]

If she is travelling to Switzerland i hope she has a lot of money because she will be burning through the cash in Switzerland. There are cows all over Europe and the world. In fact France has a massive amount of farming with more than enough cows, and it's much cheaper than going to Switzerland.

[@victorhopper6774]

doesn't sound like money is a issue for her considering where she has spent the last month

[@ctgctg1]

Switzerland is probably on her bucket list. The cheese and butter there is AMAZING.

[@brianmeegan6384]

Or she could go to Vermont and see the St. Pierre cows. And she could thank Elle for dropping the 5000 !

[@ithinkthereforeitalk935]

@@brianmeegan6384 The b***ch won't do that.

[@EmirBalali]

for those who don't know shes loaded!