Speaker 1 00:00:12 Hello, welcome to the Roundhouse Podcast with Paul Soro of Wichita State University's strategic communications. Today's guest is Farra Miller. Farra is a sophomore. She runs middle distance on the Wichita State track and field team. Farrah finished third in the American Athletic Conference, indoor championships in February in the 800 meters. Her time of two minutes, 8.80 seconds, ranks third on Wichita State's career list. She also also ranks second on the school's indoor 600 yard list with a time of 1 24 0.84. Farrah is from White Plains, New York. She will be running this weekend, as will many of the shockers in the KT Woodman Track Classic that starts Thursday with high school competition at Cessna Stadium. College events begin Friday and the 800 is scheduled for 6 45 Friday night. So Farrah uh, home meet, uh, Wichita State has three or four of those, but you don't get a lot of them. Is it an advantage, what's it like to run it at Sessna Stadium?
Speaker 2 00:01:13 Um, in my opinion, it's definitely an advantage cuz you know, um, we train on this track, um, every day. So it's like we know how it feels. We know like, I guess in a way like important spots on the track, like where to kick. So I guess that's important. Um, but no, it's very exciting to have, um, to have like a home meet at a track. So it should be very exciting.
Speaker 1 00:01:43 This and that track is where this story starts. You won the, uh, national Junior College 800 last spring running for, um, Monroe Community College in New York. Yes. Uh, tell us how you got introduced to Wichita State, this track and, and the, and the coaching staff.
Speaker 2 00:02:01 Yes. So <laugh>, it's funny. So, um, our national JUCO meet was held in Hutchinson and now it's like 40 minutes away. So, um, we actually stayed at the hotel here on campus, the, um, Hyatt and then my coach at the time, he called, um, I believe either Wise or Bolt to, um, use the track here to practice. And, um, they, you know, said yes. So we started packing, we came, um, practice and um, that's when Wise and Hunter, they um, you know, came by to say hello just to see um, how we were doing. And then Hunter, he was just asking me questions, you know, like where I was ranked at the time in the 800 and I believe that was ranked third going into the meet, I believe so if not third, it was I think like fourth. But, um, yeah, so he was like, you know, um, he'll be there to watch and whatnot, so, you know, have a good meet. And then, um, we actually got a tour of this building. Um, so yeah, they gave us a small list for it. And then,
Speaker 1 00:03:19 And we're, we're sitting in just for the, for the listeners we're in the Student Athlete Success Center, which is where the track locker rooms are, the weight room and Wichita States, uh, kind of the academic, it's the academic center of the athletic department, I guess. Yes. So they showed you around?
Speaker 2 00:03:33 Yeah, they showed me around, um, here and then, um, they kind of already sold me on that. I'm not lying, but it was like a unofficial, you know, tour <laugh>. But you know, we saw this. Um, and then, um,
Speaker 1 00:03:46 And what made such a good impression in that?
Speaker 2 00:03:48 Um, it was just, you know, um, me personally, I never really, um, saw a D one school have a building kind of specifically for a track team. Like they had their own team room on lifting on trainers on the, um, locker room. So like that was pretty cool for me to see. So, um, and then, um, you know, two days later it was a windy day. It was the finals for the 800 and I won. And
Speaker 1 00:04:23 This is, this is in Hutchinson?
Speaker 2 00:04:25 This is in Hutchinson, yes. Okay. And then, um, you know, I kept in contact with, uh, coach Hunter and um, you know, weeks later I committed, I signed.
Speaker 1 00:04:37 What was the decision like moving halfway across the country? How did that, how did that go when your arrived?
Speaker 2 00:04:42 Um, it was definitely, um, it was definitely something I had to, you know, take into account. I never been on like the Midwest side of the country. I've been like, the previous schools I've been to was always on the East coast, so I was pretty much close to home. So this was the first school I would be like miles away from home. I can't really come home as much as I want to. So I really had to take that into account. But it was also like, um, it was also like, this is kind of what I need to like further my track career and also really think about what I need and like what I need for myself and like what I really need to do to like really just keep myself on the right track. So, and in my mind, like in what I thought, um, Wichita State was like just the right choice.
Speaker 1 00:05:39 Tell us about your history running the 800. Has it always been your, your strong event?
Speaker 2 00:05:45 It hasn't. So I, when, since I started track, I, I was like a sprinter. I did the 200 400, um, you know, I was in on occasions in high school. I did do the 800, but I wasn't good. I was running like two 30 s like high, two 20 s. Like I wasn't good just to really like score points. And then, um, I didn't really get good in the 800 until this past year when I was at juco. Um, my old teammate, um, Aaliyah, she actually kind of pushed me to do it and, you know, thank God I'm good at it. Cuz at first I was like, I don't think I can. Cause I was, my coach was really training me for like a 400 person and that was my, at the time, my event, I was, um, a 400 sprinter but then, you know, a couple of races, um, you know, I split a good 800 Tom, I think I did like a two 14 outta meat. And then since then he kept throwing me at 800 and then I was getting good. And then, um, yeah, it took me a while to like really know how to run the race and know exactly how to run an 800 and I'm still learning. But you know, hunter is doing a great job at telling me how to run a race and like, you know, he's, um, a great coach. So what
Speaker 1 00:07:14 Is the strategy? What's the, what's the mental part of of being a good 800 runner? Um,
Speaker 2 00:07:21 I would say definitely strength, but it's also, um,
Speaker 2 00:07:32 It's definitely endurance, but it's also like speed and strength I will say. So it's like the way I think about a 800, like the first lap, speaking about outdoor, the first lap you really want like controlled but like fast. So you wanna be in the race, but you don't wanna use all your energy in the first lap. And then the way I think about it, I would like to run like, so I do like the first lap controlled but fast. And then I usually like to kick like the last 300 or like 200. I try to kick the end and then it's like, cuz I kind of know, like, I know I have like this speed to like finish strong.
Speaker 3 00:08:32 Hi, this is Rick Yuma, president of Wichita State University. Check out the latest episode of the Forward Together podcast. Each episode I sit down with different guests from Chacar Nation to celebrate the vision and mission of Wichita State University. Listen wherever you get your podcasts
Speaker 1 00:09:01 Coach, uh, Kirk Hunter said that he has been working with you, talking with you about taking risks, uh, maybe being more aggressive in the 800. Is that what you're kind of working through, uh, mentally to prepare for these
Speaker 2 00:09:13 Races? No. Yeah, that's definitely one thing I have to get used to doing cuz he knows I don't really like to, he wants, like, the way I see it, hunter would like me to do, like, at the start of the gun, like be out, like be like the, like the first one and it's like, I kind of like to have people take the lead and I stay like, you know, close enough and then like, and then I kick. But he wants me to already be out and then I kick. So like I had to get used to it. I mean that's prob that's probably one thing I have to work for on Friday. But, um, you know, he's not wrong. So,
Speaker 1 00:09:55 And you're relatively new to the 800 as you, as you said. So these are things that you can learn and, and pick up on and and improve on. Definitely. Yeah. Did was track always your sport? Did you have other sports growing up that you really liked?
Speaker 2 00:10:06 Um, from third grade up until my freshman year of high school I played basketball and then, um, yeah, 10th grade, um, it was all track cuz we had, um, indoor and outdoors. So it was a choice between basketball or indoor. Cuz at the time I can't do both. So I, you know, I took that chance and I was like, I'm gonna just go all out on track. And then surprising my first year of high school indoor, I broke the, um, 600 school record at my school. So that's when I kind of knew, I was like, yeah, like track is kind of my sport. Like I had to just stick with it. <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:10:51 So weans are fascinated by people from New York and especially fascinated by people from New York who would, would come out here for their, their education and to live. Tell us about growing up in, in White Plains.
Speaker 2 00:11:03 Um, <laugh>, it is definitely, um, it's a pretty big city. It's very, um, suburban town. Um, it's a lot of people, but, um, I mean, no, it was great. It's not like Kansas, you know, I can't walk down the street and be at like a target. I have to like get a Uber to go to a target. But, um, other than that, no. Like, um, my plan is a, it's a great place in my opinion. I feel like everybody should, you know, at least take a trip to just, you know, just experience like New York in
Speaker 1 00:11:39 The home. So give us some advice. If we are doing a tourist thing and we're going to New York City, what should we do?
Speaker 2 00:11:45 Definitely, I mean, we haven't been in times where I would suggest everybody, you know, just go look around. I mean, it's a lot of stuff to do. It's a lot of stories. There's, um, museums, um, you know, you can go to Central Park. Um, that's about it. I mean, I'm probably leaving out a lot of stuff to do, but I mean, you can always find something to do over there.
Speaker 1 00:12:15 Do you have favorite, uh, food? New York's famous for its pizza? I guess what would you recommend as far as getting a meal or two when you're in New York City?
Speaker 2 00:12:24 Mm, okay. So this is back home in White Plains. There's a, um, restaurant called and it's um, they have everything to like sandwiches, wings and like fries and like, stuff like that. Um, but yeah, in my opinion they have like the Best Wings and White Plains, the best Wings and fries and it's like the like sauce you get on the wings, you can get on the fries as well. So I don't know, to me that's like, it's really good <laugh>. That's nice, huh?
Speaker 1 00:12:56 Okay. And it's called Tepees?
Speaker 2 00:12:58 It's called Tepees,
Speaker 1 00:12:59 Yeah. Okay. And that's in White Plains?
Speaker 2 00:13:00 White Plains,
Speaker 1 00:13:01 Yes. Excellent. What's, you mentioned the driving and we're a lot more spread out here than, than you are in New York. What are the other, what's the other big adjustment to, to living in Wichita bin?
Speaker 2 00:13:12 Yeah, definitely. How like, um, far everything is, um, really can't walk anywhere. If you walk, you're gonna walk at least 30 minutes. Like if the drive is like two minutes, you're walking like 20 minutes, minutes, like that's pretty annoying. But that's one thing I had to adjust to. Um, you know, it's snow tall buildings, it's none of that here. Um, um, definitely the wind. Kansas has some very strong wind <laugh> I have to get used to. Um, that's about it. And really just being used to being this far from home. I've never been this far from home, but, um, I'm pretty adaptable. So it really only took me about a month to really like, like set in like, okay, I'm this far. So it's like I'm really in a way, like alone here. I mean like I made, you know, friends and connections, but like at the end of the day it's really just me here. So I mean, but like, I'm not mad at it. It's something I had to do, so, um, I'm happy. So it's not like it, I made a bad choice, but that's just one thing I had to adjust to Sure.
Speaker 1 00:14:27 Being here. Sure. Well, we're, we're glad you're happy. Has there been a teammate or a coach, uh, a friend who's really helped you figure out what it's like here at at Wichita State and in and in Wichita?
Speaker 2 00:14:37 Definitely when I first got here. Um, I will say the entire like girls cross country team, they, you know, it took me a minute to like, cause okay, they probably won't <laugh>, they won't believe this at first, but I'm like kind of shy at first. So it's like I really, I guess in a way I wasn't really talking to people, but um, they just made it very warm and like well, um, welcoming for me to like, you know, like be myself and like, yeah, they're just, they're a great group of women that I'm glad I get to call my teammates. So like they made, you know, this uh, big like drastic jump in my life. Like they made it very like calm. So I'm thankful for them for that. Um, and definitely, um, hunter, he's honestly like, probably like one of the best coaches I've ever had. He's very understanding, he's very, um, he's a coach that really cares deeply about his teammates, I mean about his athletes. So, um, you know, I'm just thankful for Hunter and having him as a coach and um, you know, the, um, friends I made here, um, some sprinters that, um, not some, but you know, majority of the sprinters, um, I'm thankful for them as well. There's a lot of them to name so I won't name them all <laugh>. Sure, sure.
Speaker 1 00:16:11 A lot of, lot of people on
Speaker 2 00:16:12 The track team. Definitely. Yeah. Um, but no team wise, you know, it's very, um, oh, I took a pause, sorry.
Speaker 1 00:16:22 <laugh>. No, that uh, and I think they really emphasize that here. That's a big no. Yeah, that's a big deal. How does the coaching staff get that team environment, team atmosphere, the importance of team? How do they get that across to the, to the, the athletes?
Speaker 2 00:16:35 Definitely. Um,
Speaker 2 00:16:41 Just, um, you know, bolt likes to have his, um, team leading. So he emphasizes on, you know, um, being there for each other a lot. So, um, I guess you just, I mean everybody's very, um, giving in a way. So it's like if you need anything really, um, somebody's always there to like help you. So everybody's just, you know, there to give a helping hand. So I guess that's the way they just, they want us to be like, you know, one big Emily. So it's like we just try to do our part in making everybody feel, you know, safe and whatnot and like, um, not left out. So.
Speaker 1 00:17:28 So we are still pretty early in the outdoor season. Give us a description of where you're at as far as, you know, ramping up so that you're able to peak mm-hmm. <affirmative> late in May, conference championship early June, NCAA competition. Where's your fitness level at and how do you approach the, the rest of the outdoor season?
Speaker 2 00:17:47 So, um, definitely wanna, me and Hunter's been talking, we definitely wanna, um, be like at the top of the conference at the start of it. So indoor, I was kind of, I don't, I was, I was kind of like in the like maybe like top 15 throughout the indoor season and then conference, that's when I peaked. But Hunter, he's, you know, trying to instill in me that, um, he wants me to be at the top at the start of it and then like just be there and hopefully like win conference. So definitely each me, I run the 800, I just have to, you know, just run strong and run fast and run to my potential cuz I can run a fast time. I just have to put that in my races. Um, and definitely, um, just keep getting stronger. Practices are good. So just have to, you know, stay on that, stay down that road and, um, continue to be in, um, the weight room and be in, um, rehab for my, you know, slight injuries, which aren't big, but you know, they, um, do kind of hinder my performance, but I just have to keep those under control.
Speaker 2 00:19:11 So it's like, I'm not out completely, but like, I'm still strong in a way.
Speaker 1 00:19:16 So over the last two or three years, uh, the carbon plated shoes have become a, a, a big thing in the track and field world. Pretty, pretty significant. They can shave I guess depending on the event. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, several seconds off your time. Uh, Kirk said you were kind of a late adopter of the carbon plated shoes. Yeah. Give us your thoughts on those shoes and, and uh, and where you're at on them.
Speaker 2 00:19:40 Um, I definitely like the shoes. Um, I just recently got them so I've been practicing in them a lot. Um, it definitely makes a difference in, you know, my performance cuz when I do wear them, excuse me, I do feel like lighter. So I like, I can see where he says like, um, it shaves off a couple of, you know, seconds. Um, and I just had to get used to 'em cuz those were like my first time in those type of shoes. But, um, I really like them and I'm excited to like run a, a race in them. Um, I'm excited to see what time I run,
Speaker 1 00:20:23 So, and it's to the point now where my understanding is almost everyone you're gonna be running against, it's, it's pretty well universal. A lot of people wear them, is that
Speaker 2 00:20:31 Right? Yeah, a lot of people wear them. Um, cuz back in indoor conference, I believe I was the only one without them and I ranked and I got third. So imagine if I had, you know, the shoes everybody else wear, I probably would've ran faster and, you know, had, um, a better time. But, um, you know, if I can run that time in like, you know, just some sprinter spikes, imagine the time I can run in, you know, the right shoes. So
Speaker 1 00:20:59 You are a psychology major? Yes. Uh, may consider going into to coaching. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, tell us about that, that part of your life and what you're thinking about for what's coming up. Um,
Speaker 2 00:21:08 Oh yeah, it's just, um, I really didn't have like a sarre a set career in mind. Um, but you know, I really do love track and um, I would love to coach. So I feel like that's, um, hopefully that's what God has in story for me. Um, cuz I would love to do that and hopefully my plan is to like go back to my high school and coach there. So that would be pretty cool for me to do that. Like I would love that. Um, and yeah, just hopefully I can coach. If not, um, you know, it would be pretty cool to go pro if I'm not coaching, I'll probably, hopefully I can do that. Um, but if not, my plan is to coach.
Speaker 1 00:21:51 Okay. Well you've got several years yet to, to work on that. Yeah, but it's good, good career plans. Do you have a running role model?
Speaker 2 00:21:59 Mm, I don't particularly say a role model. I mean, I, I don't know.
Speaker 1 00:22:15 How about any professional athlete? Is there a do you have a favorite in any sport?
Speaker 2 00:22:24 Probably. Oh my gosh, I don't know. Cuz I mean, I like everybody, but it's not like I'm like focused on this run runner, if that makes sense. Um, I root for everybody honestly, but it's like I really don't have a set favorite person, TrackWise, um, any other sport? Um, yeah, I don't know. I guess I don't have one now. Think about it. I'm really trying to think, but
Speaker 1 00:22:54 That's all right. That's all right. Uh, tell us what's your, what's you're watching, uh, athletes all have a, there's a lot of road trips, there's a lot of travel. What, what do you do to occupy your mind when you're on the, on the bus or the plane?
Speaker 2 00:23:06 Um, currently I'm watching, um, power Book two, um, goals. So it's like, um, a sequel? No, a pre a sequel, a prequel. What's like
Speaker 1 00:23:20 Prequel is before sequel would
Speaker 2 00:23:22 Be Okay. Sequel. It's a sequel to, um, um, power. So, um, I really don't know how, it's basically, um, it's just about like, you know, um, drug trafficking and like, um, I guess in a way like, it, it's not like raunchy or anything, but it's very, very, um, to me it's interesting and it takes place in, um, New York. So it's like, um, like that drama, um, type of show. That's what I like.
Speaker 1 00:23:59 Yeah. All right. Very. And is this on Netflix?
Speaker 2 00:24:01 Um, it is on Hulu. It's on Stars. Yeah. I think it's just on those two Hulu and Stars. Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:24:11 There's your tv TV recommendation from Farrah. Farrah, thank you very much for your time. Uh, once again, we've got the Kt Woodman Classic coming up this week, starts Thursday with the high schools college competition starts on Friday. Faroh will be running Friday evening around 6 45 in the, uh, in the 800. Thank you Faroh.
Speaker 2 00:24:31 Thank you for having me. Thank you.
Speaker 5 00:24:44 Great insight as always. Thanks for listening to the Roundhouse podcast. Courtesy of Wichita State University's strategic communications, we encourage you to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can always find more roundhouse
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Speaker 6 00:25:01 They let him pass it up court, then it gets kicked off along three by Pango snow. Good. One second. It's over. It's over. And Wichita State has beaten the number one team in the nation to go to the sweet go crazy Wichita. I know you are.
