GATFXC: How/Why did you start running?
I started running in the 10th grade. In the ninth grade, I didn't make the high school soccer team because I came down with pneumonia the week of tryouts. Because I had so much free time on my hands, my parents convinced me to go out for the cross-country team in the summer. The rest is history.
GATFXC: Who has been the biggest influence on your running?
My parents. They always have a way to make light of running during the tough times. They can put a positive spin on any situation and help me look forward to running the next day.
GATFXC: What lessons did you learn as a high school runner?
Ignorance is bliss. I remember being blown away at watching someone run under 12 minutes for 2 miles at my first cross country race ever. Those were good times….
GATFXC: What was the highlight of your high school running career?
Winning the mile race at regions to qualify for the state meet. I had been beaten by both Sean Reilly and Charlie Dickhaus twice before in the mile earlier in the year. Of course, only two people qualify to state in each event so I was pretty nervous going in. Luckily, with some tactics, I was able to pull it off.
GATFXC: Does juggling classes and running get any easier the further you get into college or is it always a struggle?
I wouldn't say it gets easier, you just get used to it. Freshman year is extremely tough in adapting to a new lifestyle as most people realize and their running normally suffers a little. As a senior, though, I feel like I would have loads of free time if I didn't have running.
GATFXC: Do you prefer cross country or track?
Track. Times mean something.
GATFXC: What lessons have you learned as a collegiate runner?
Patience. Running fast is something that doesn't happen over night. It takes years and years of hard work and a positive attitude.
GATFXC: You recently ran 28:55 for 10k on the track. Describe the race (How you felt before, what your goal was before the race, how you felt during, etc.)
The brilliant thing about the Stanford Invitational is that everyone goes out there to run fast. The gun goes off, the group follows the rabbits, and you go for a ride. Training had been going very well before the race so I was hopeful for a big day. My coach and I felt that the 29-minute barrier was attainable and set that as our highest goal. I felt great through 5k, hitting it at 14:22 and just hung on to the group as long as I could after that.
GATFXC: What was the toughest workout you did in high school? The toughest one in college so far?
In high school, I vividly remember trying to run 2x800 in under 2:10 as a tune-up workout the week before a big meet
In college, we just did a workout a few weeks ago where we did a fartlek run of 2,3,2,5,2,3 (minutes) with half rest in between at just over 5 minute pace finishing at the track. We then attempted to run 6x800 in 2:15-2:16 with 90sec rest. That one got tough.
GATFXC: What are your goals for the future?
Keep running at a competitive level. Hopefully make a few national teams sometime in the future.
GATFXC: Who is your favorite competitive runner ever?
I've always been partial to the old school British middle distance guys. Coe, Cram, Ovett.
GATFXC: What inspires you to run?
PR's
GATFXC: What advice would you give competitive high school runners?
Keep your head up. Running is an up and down ride. If you keep training hard and pushing yourself to new levels, good things will happen.
Coach Christie is currently working with Coach Kutter of Shiloh on a web project of his own at http://www.gothedistancesports.com. Check it out!