Being the best athlete comes with big responsibilities, right? Take Parker Valby, for example. She was one of the greatest distance runners in the history of collegiate athletics at the University of Florida, boasting an impressive record of 14 races, 14 wins, and four collegiate records. She became the first woman to win five NCAA titles in a single academic year and secured a spot at the Paris Olympics.

These accomplishments earned her a lucrative contract with New Balance and set high expectations for her professional career. Her journey kicked off with the 3,000 meters at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix—so, the real question is: did she prove herself?

On February 2nd, Parker Valby made a solid pro debut at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix. She finished third in the 3,000m with a new personal best of 8:34.95—six seconds faster than her previous time. She looked great in her Boston kit, but the competition was fierce. Melissa Courtney-Bryant pulled ahead in the final stretch to win in a world-leading 8:28.69, while Elise Cranny took second with a personal best of 8:29.87. While it wasn’t the win Valby hoped for, it was still a strong performance and she seems confident.

After winning the competition, Citius Mag interviewed Parker Valby to discuss her physical condition and racing results. At the question about her current physical state, she responded, “I’m not in ideal shape. I think I could be in better shape. I’m in better shape than I have been but there’s still room to improve.”

The interviewer asked for her timing, asking, “You ran a decent time, though?” Valby replied, “Yeah, I think it was like seven seconds faster which is awesome. I’m really happy with it.”

Then, when asked about her positioning, Valby said, “Yeah, I was super happy. I got out good—around third or fourth—and stayed there. My goal was top three, and I got top three.”

But she knows her goals!

Parker Valby’s Big Year Ahead

The Florida Gators collegiate athlete Parker Valby had an extraordinary year last season by collecting impressive victories and securing her position for the Paris Olympics in 10,000 meters. She stayed in the main competition, although she did not achieve her desired outcomes, which showed her talent at that championship level. Now, Valby aims to qualify as a member of the U.S. team that will compete at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in 2025. Valby maintains a solid chance to reach such a big goal with her abilities.

This past Saturday, Valby got a tough blow when Shelby Houlihan came in and broke her 3,000m facility record by over 10 seconds, posting a time of 8:31.56. Houlihan’s comeback after a four-year break made the moment even more intense. So, how does Valby bounce back from this? That’s the big question.

Her response to this early setback could tell us more about her mindset going into the season. Last year, she made winning look easy, smiling and giving thumbs-up to teammates, even waving at herself on the jumbotron during races. But Valby quickly reminded people it wasn’t always that simple. When asked if she was always the #1 runner, she said, “Not always. I worked my way there. I finished second a lot of times.”

Valby’s talent is obvious, but she’s also known for working hard off the track. She’s a beast in cross-training, especially with her go-to tool, the Arc Trainer. Coach Mark Coogan at New Balance Boston has kept that routine going while adding a little more running to the mix—about four or five days a week instead of the usual three. And now she’s training at Flagstaff, adjusting to the higher elevation. But she’s taking it in stride, saying it wasn’t too hard to adjust.

With these changes and her drive, Valby’s setting herself up for what could be a big year ahead. There’s plenty of room for improvement, but she’s definitely ready to tackle whatever comes her way.