Fernandez Setting The Pace At Temple

By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- The 121st Penn Relays continue today as elite track and field athletes from all over are competing in a host of events at the University of Pennsylvania.

One of the competitors is Temple graduate student Blanca Fernandez who will run the 800m leg of the Sprint Medley Championship of America event with three Temple teammates tonight and then on Saturday take part in the prestigious Olympic Development Women's Mile.

Fernandez has had a very special season running for the Owls. In fact, she has broken a school record in every event that she has competed in this semester (Indoor Mile, Indoor 3000m, Outdoor 1500m and Outdoor 800m).

"I've been having good results," Fernandez says. "I feel good here in Philly and I feel good training with the Owls and everything is going good."

Listen: Blanca Fernandez with Matt Leon

Now this will be the first time Fernandez has participated in the Penn Relays. If you're wondering how that's possible for someone of her obvious ability, she has a pretty good excuse. Fernandez had spent her entire life in Spain before arriving in the U.S. for the first time ever in January when she started her first semester at Temple.

"I didn't know anything (about the Penn Relays) before coming here," Fernandez says. "But my coach at Temple has been talking about how big the Penn Relays are and how big this event is for the city."

While this will be her first taste of the Penn Relays, Fernandez is no stranger to high level events like this as she competed in many while in Spain.

Now going from Spain to North Philadelphia could be considered a bit of a transition. Fernandez says there was a bit of culture shock at first, but she really hasn't missed a beat.

"It was easier than I expected," Fernandez says.  "I don't know why. I felt part of the team very quickly. So I think that helped me run so fast, so quickly."

Fernandez, who is in the graduate program for sports business at Temple, doesn't give herself nearly enough credit when she talks about how running became such a part of her life.

"I cannot do anything else," Fernandez says laughing. "I like sports. I was playing volleyball in the past, but I was not good. So the only thing that I was doing good was running, so I just kept with it. It's why I'm here."

Mid-distance running is a grind. Fernandez talks about what runs through her mind as she's out on the track.

"When I'm competing I just try to forget that I'm suffering and doing a big effort," Fernandez says. "Sometimes I count the steps the other runners are doing or I just try to focus on something different from me. Just forget that you are tired, just forget that you have to run three more laps. Just forget everything that could make you feel worse."

When Fernandez runs in the Olympic Development Women's Mile on Saturday, she will become the first Temple athlete ever to compete in that event.

You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.