Zsofia Erdelyi is a USC Trojan sophomore. She's been an international runner since her high school days back in her native Hungary. She's got a steeplechase chase personal best of 10:01 and looks to drastically lower it in 2009.

How is your fitness right now? Are you in really good shape?

No, I don't think so because I just got back home from Hungary. It was really cold and I couldn't really run. It was really, really cold. I just got back and began to practice. I don't feel really good right now. I'm hoping that changes.

So, you're focus is more on the outdoor track season?

Yeah, exactly.

How much are you running right now?

I have two workouts every week. I'm running like 60 minutes and I'm going to have one long run on Saturday like 75 minutes.

What does the equate to mileage wise?

I don't know how many miles that equals really. I'm not really sure, but around 40-45.

What are your goals for 2009?

I would All-American competing in the steeplechase this year. I want to compete in the European Championships and the Open Championships. I want to break five and run like 9:45.

Your PR is what right now in the 3,000-steeplechase?

10:01.

You must be antsy to get down into the nines?

Yeah.

What's the running scene like in Hungary?

It's not really competitive. Not many people run in Hungary. Everyone stopped running. Kids stop running. In my age, there are about 10 who are running maybe. It's not really competitive.

Would you hesitate to say that you're one of the top runners in the country?

Yeah. I like to say that.

How do you rank nationally, is there a ranking system there?

I'm one of the top.

How do you do at the national championships?

Yeah, we have nationals. I...won. (laughs)

You're into skateboarding and snowboarding?

It's a family thing. I love snowboarding.

Have you been able to snowboard at all in The States? Or just back home?

No. Just back home.

How does USC's running program suit you?

Everything is really cool. I like everything here. I like my coach. He's really cool and he helps me a lot. When I got here in my first semester it was really hard. I like my cross country teammates because they are really nice.

You've competed internationally for Hungary?

Yeah. At the Junior World Championships, European Under-23 Championships, and the European Championships. That's it.

What about the Olympic Trials? How did that go?

I tried but I couldn't do it. We had a time we had to run and I tried to make in the steeplechase. I had to run 9:55 and I only ran 10:01. So that's why I didn't go.

If you had a few days off to not worry about running or school or anything, what would you do with yourself?

I'd probably go skateboarding. I like skateboarding, but I'm not very good. I would go, but I would probably break my leg or something. That's why I can't do it right now.

Are you pretty good? Can you do any tricks?

No. But I want to. I need to practice.

(**Bad running advice**) If you decide to take indoor off, you can skateboard a little bit. I've got a few videos of me skateboarding on YouTube, maybe you can check them out.

Wow. Awesome! (laughs)

What's the hardest workout you've ever done?

Probably four times 2,000m at like 6:40 to 6:45. It was back home.

Can you tell me what your hobbies are when you're not running?

I like to read a lot. I like to write. I like movies a lot.

What's your favorite movie of all time?

I like “The Notebook”, I can watch that any time. I have a new one now though. It's called “Twilight.” I like “Love Actually” too. I'm a girl. (laughs)