Runner Flament making comeback

By John Kovach

“I really fed off the reaction of the people around me because they were surprised that I was able to do so well after my daughter was born, and that propelled me to try even harder and excel more.”

Sarah Flament

Marathon runner

The Poland mother of two was the top female finisher from Ohio in the Boston Marathon.

POLAND — Sarah (Bashinski) Flament’s capacity to run faster marathons after short periods of training time could make the former collegiate All-American a potential candidate for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in 2011.

Consider this: After having her second child 16 months ago, Flament of Poland re-launched her training program and completed her first marathon last October in Columbus in 2:59.35 to place ninth overall in the women’s division, and first in her age class (30-34).

In the process, she also qualified for the Boston Marathon with more than 40 minutes to spare (the Boston qualifying time for women is 3:40).

Then, about six months later, in Flament’s second marathon on April 20, she ran the Boston Marathon in 2:54.9 — more than 4 minutes faster than her Columbus time — and was the top female finisher from Ohio, 23rd of all U.S. women and 39th overall in the women’s division.

“My long-time goal is to make the U.S. Olympic Trials for the marathon, which will be held in 2011,” said Flament, 34, a two-time All-American at Wisconsin-Lacrosse in both cross country and the 5,000-meter run in track. “The earliest I could qualify would be in 2010. I would need a 2:46 [B standard, about 9 minutes faster than Boston] to get into the trials, and a 2:39 [A standard] in the Trials [and] make the top three for U.S. Team.”

Since re-starting her running career, Flament has discovered two important attributes about herself: She is stronger and faster than ever and improves very quickly.

“I know that I have the capacity to improve. That’s what this has demonstrated to me,” said Flament, a native of Wausau, Wis., who ran for North Dakota State for two years before transferring to Wisconsin-Lacrosse where she ran for two more years before graduating in 1999 with a major in psychology.

Then, “I took a break [running] for awhile. I got overwhelmed and burned out. I did little races here and there but I wasn’t serious about it.” But, “After I had my daughter [Alyssa] 16 months ago, I started to make a comeback.”

She and her husband, Jeff, moved to Poland three years ago from the St. Louis area where Jeff was employed, so that he could take a job in Pittsburgh, but he got laid off.

However, during his layoff, he was able to help Sarah with the couple’s two children, Logan, now 41‚Ñ2 years old, and Alyssa, 16 months, allowing Sarah more time to chase her running dream.

Jeff is glad to help his wife redevelop her running career.

“From my perspective in talking to other people, [Sarah’s comeback] is a positive thing to come out of area that has been down economically. Sarah is an average housewife and mother of two who is finding success as a runner,” said Jeff.

To re-launch her career, Sarah contacted her high school coach, Dave Schoepke, for his advice and training guidance, enlisted a training partner in Tom Grantonic of the YMCA, began running on her own and entered area races — and began winning.

“I really fed off the reaction of the people around me because they were surprised that I was able to do so well after my daughter was born, and that propelled me to try even harder and excel more,” said Flament, who credits Grantonic for making her better.

“I met up with him and we really started pushing each other to the best of our abilities. I increased my mileage. I never felt stronger in my life since I had my daughter.”

Flament also now has a sponsor, thanks to intervention from Steve Hixson, owner of Second Sole in Boardman.

“Second Sole is my sponsor through Nike, and Nike provides me with equipment,” said Flament, who also has been encouraged by Hixson’s faith in her as a runner.

Flament also is encouraged by her new-found opportunity.

“That really inspired me that even though I have two kids I have a window of opportunity and I want to take advantage of it,” said Flament. “I have already bettered all of my previous running performances, including during college. I think this is a going to be a good year.”

kovach@vindy.com