The 26th Interview: Sam Evans, #britirishtakeover bro for life

This interview is about one of my favorite #britirishtakeover bros, University of New Mexico's Sam Evans.

1. How did you get started in running?

I got started in running when I was in High School. Me and my friends through school enjoyed doing all sports so we all attended the Track meets to compete for our school together so as well as enjoying the competitive side to the sport I have always been attracted to the social side associated with hanging out and meeting other athletes.

2. What do you tell people that don't get our sport of distance running?

It's the definition of what the human body can achieve.

3. What are you current PR's?

800m - 1.49
1500m - 3.47
Mile - 4.05

4. How do you manage being a college student with being a college distance runner?

I struggle to do this to be honest. I like to train then go home and play Call of Duty and Fifa 12 on the xbox. (Lt Evans63 - Add me anyone who plays these two games).
I try to pick classes that I know wont require too much homework and I also try to pick classes so that my schedule is as beneficial to my Xbox addiction as possible. I'm certainly no role model for anyone.

5. Who are your favorite professional and/or college distance runner(s) past and/or present & why?

My favorite athlete of all time is Steve Ovett. I just loved his ability, his confidence and his arrogance. Some people might not like arrogance in the sport and I would agree to some degree but no one can deny that it makes the sport interesting.

Another couple of athletes that I love are Kenenisa Bekele and Hicham El Guerrouj and I think we all know why.
6. Best or Worst thing about being a distance running?

The best thing about being a distance runner is the sense of achievement you feel for the rest of the day after a good workout or a good long run or any form of training.
The worst thing about being a distance runner is the sense of depression you feel for the rest of the day after a bad workout or hellish long run or any form of training.

7. Your Favorite Moment of your distance running career?

My favorite moment in my distance running career is beating David Bishop in the Mile at Mountain West Conference Championships in 2011, only to lose to the NCAA Champ, Miles Batty.
Heres the link for anyone who wants to see me beat David Bishop in the Mile....

http://www.runnerspace.com/eprofile.php?do=videos&event_id=1654&folder_id=2504

8. Goals for 2012?

Goals for 2012 are to run as close to 3.40 in the 1500m as possible. Any other achievements are just a bonus.

9. What does the #Britirishtakeover mean to you?

#Britirishtakeover means quite alot to me. It's just a collection of British and Irish athletes who are all from small towns in our home countries who have dived into America and its awesome sports system. Me and Ross Millington often say to each other things like "Just two british guys walking through California" or things like that. Being apart of a small select group of British athletes in america is truly an honor and I am happy for all the success that we've had such as Chris O'Hare and Lee Emanuel winning their NCAA titles and I hope we can all grab a few more NCAA titles before its over. So good luck to us all and Train Hard. Win Easy.

I hope you guys like this interview

Track Mix Playlist

I know a lot of people of that wonder what athletes listen to before their competion well now you get a chance to see my Track Mix Playlist and there a lot of song that you might not know but I hope you will get a chance to listen to some of the songs cause most of are British/UK Songs and artists. So here is my playlist

Track Mix Playlist

1. The Madden Brothers With Machine Gun Kelly-"Oh My God"
2. Jessica Simpson-"A Public Affair"
3. The Black Keys-"Gold On The Ceiling"
4. Kelly Clarkson-"What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)"
5. Rizzle Kicks-"Mama Do The Humps"
6. Rizzle Kicks-"Down With Trumpets"
7. Labrinth-"Last Time"
8. Labrinth with Tinie Tempah-"Earthquake"
9. David Guetta With Sia-"Titanium"
10. David Guetta With Nicki Minaj-"Turn Me On"
11. Take That-"Kidz"
12. Jessie J-"Domino"
13. Jessie J-"Who's Laughting Now"
14. Lady Gaga-"You And I"
15. Olly Murs-"Dance With Me Tonight"
16. Olly Murs-"Thinking Of Me"
17. Olly Murs With Rizzle Kicks-"Heart Skips A Beat"
18. Marcus Collins-"Seven Nation Army"
19. Tinchy Stryder With Pixie Lott-"Bright Lights (Good Life)"
20. Swedish House Mafia-"Greyhound"
21. The Wanted-"Glad You Came"
22. Kelly Rowland With David Guetta-"Commander"
23. Christina Aguilera-"Not Myself Tonight"
24. Demi Lovato-"Skyscraper"
25. Demi Lovato-"Give Your Heart A Break"
26. Professor Green With Emeli Sande-"Read All About It"
27. Example-"Changed The Way You Kiss Me"

I hope you guys like my Track Mix Playlist and if you haven't heard the song you actually get a chance to listen to the song

The 25th Interview: Another #britirishtakeover Inteview, David Bishop

This is another great interview of one of my #Britirishtakeover Bro, David Bishop.

1. How did you get started in running?
I started running in secondary school (middle and high school were combined where i went to school). In PE class we had to do a cross country run every 2 weeks and I always won it. My PE teacher persuaded me to join a local track club that summer and I've never looked back!

2. What do you tell people that don't get our sport of distance running?
No, I don't run marathons - it's middle distance!!!

3. What are you current PR's?
1:50, 3:41, 4:00 and I'm proud of my 10K XC PR, 29:58 haha

4. How different is Professional Distance Running Then College Running, for you?
I am lucky enough to be able to train full-time as I get some support from a few local companies back home as well as my family, which I'm very grateful for. The main difference is being able to plan exactly when I want to race. Last year, for example, I only got to run one fast 1500m (Mt SAC) and then had to get ready for championships (Conference, regionals, nationals) which took up most of may and June. This year I'll be able to spend more time running fast 1500s and chasing times, then get the championship work in after.

5. Who are your favorite professional and/or college distance runner(s) past and/or present & why?
I always liked El Guerrouj, he was running when I was just getting into the sport and now he has left a great story. I also like Craig Mottram as he gave belief that it isn't all about genetics in mid/long distance running. Europeans can compete with Africans. After watching Derrick at NCAA indoors this year, who couldn't count him up there? It was inspirational running.

6. Best or Worst thing about being a distance running?
Its a bit of a double-edged sword. The best thing is its all down to you how fast you run. You don't need to rely on team mates or referee decisions. I always loved team sports growing up though, especially soccer. Therefore the worst thing is you don't always have a team to celebrate with when things go well.

7. Your Favorite Moment of your distance running career?
I have a couple of favorite moments I guess. Being told I had run 3:54 anchoring our DMR team last year was a good moment, celebrating our all-american. Stopping BYU from earning their 12th straight conference XC title, on their own backyard, was great, the celebrations among our team when it was announced will be a great memory for a long time! Walking out onto the track for the World University Games 1500m final, in front of a packed 60,000 seater stadium in China has to be right up there though. It gave me the hunger to train harder and be in a situation like that again.

8. Goals for 2012?
Finally beat Sam Evans!!! Run sub 3:40 for 1500m. Whatever comes first!
Awesome Goal and that would my goal if I was you

9. What does the #Britirishtakeover mean to you?
Its just about supporting the lads from home who've made the move out here to the States, to pursue the dream! We're all in the same boat and you just get to know each other as we've obviously got a lot in common and share the same goals.

I love this interview and this #britirishtakeover bro and I hoping that two #britirishtakeover bros, Ross Millington & Sam Evans are two more of my interview

The 24th Interview: Chris O'Hare, my #Britirishtakeover bro, Interview

This interview is about 2012 DI Indoor Mile Champion, Chris O'Hare from Tulsa. One of my favorite #britirishtakeover bros along with Ross Millington & Sam Evans, who I hope to interview.

1. How did you get started in running?
I started running in school with my older brother at the cross country club after school.

2. What do you tell people that don't get our sport of distance running?
It is hard to explain distance running to other sports people because every athlete thinks their sport is the hardest and that they work harder than everyone else. But let's be fair... Running is clearly the hardest.

3. What are you current PR's?
800 - 1.49.01
1000 - 2.20.99
1500 - 3.40.62
Mile - 3.56.48
3000 - 8.17
5000 - 14.49

4. How do you manage being a college student with being a college distance runner?
It is difficult to balance studying and athletics but everyone has to do it and it makes it easier knowing that the other guys in the NCAA are in the same boat... Well most of them.

5. Who are your favorite professional and/or college distance runner(s) past and/or present & why?
My favorite professional runners are Leo Manzano and Andrew Wheating. I admire these guys because of their mental toughness and their crazy kicks. They are always great to watch.

6. Best or Worst thing about being a distance running?
The worst thing about being a distance runner has to be long runs and long tempos. Anything long for that matter.
The worst and best feeling combined is after a speed session when all you want to do is crawl into a hole and die but you know you have taken a step forward.

7. Your Favorite Moment of your distance running career?
Either winning the NCAA 2012 Mile or when my Tulsa team mates and I went 1,2,3 in the 800 at the Conference USA championships in 2011

8. Goals for 2012?
I would love to get as close to the Olympic A standard as possible (3.35.50) maybe even under. To compete in the Olympics in Great Britain would just be the best feeling in the world.

9. What does the #Britirishtakeover mean to you?
#Britirishtakeover is a cool idea and it is awesome knowing that there is a team aspect to all of the British guys and girls in the NCAA despite competing for different schools.

I hope more interviews come up on this blog

The 23rd Interview: The Great One, Mitch Goose

The man with the coolest hair, Mitch Goose is the newest interview on this blog.

1. How did you get started in running?
I got started at school and pursued it more to benefit my performance at football or “soccer” as you guys would say. Eventually I discovered I wasn’t as good at football as I thought and began to enjoy running more as I got more successful at it. I found that runners as people were far more interesting and friendly than footballers so it started to take up more of my time as most of my closest friends were runners. My Dad ran a lot so I guess it was inevitable really given the fact that I showed a decent amount of natural ability.

2. What do you tell people that don't get our sport of distance running?
I can’t really remember the last time I met somebody that showed a distinct lack of understanding. The only thing I usually have to explain is why I don’t run marathons.

3. What are you current PR's?
 Mile – 3.59.26
3000 – 7.51
5000 – 14.02

4. How do you manage being a college student with being a college distance runner?
For me I’m in a very privileged position where I’m not overly busy with the student side of things as I’ve always been good with balancing my time and ensuring that I get my work done before it becomes a headache. If I was a normal student that wasn’t trying to optimize training benefits I would most likely leave everything to the last minute or not get it done at all. I think that whilst being a student-athlete can be stressful to balance because of travelling etc. I think it is a benefit to me as it provides a much needed structure to my days and knowing that I have to take advantage of certain free periods in the day to get assignments done.

5. Who are your favorite professional and/or college distance runner(s) past and/or present & why?
Favorite professional runner of the past - a British guy called Paul Evans. Paul is somewhat of a local hero to all the athletes in the county I’m from, Norfolk, as he achieved so much. He went to 2 Olympics, finishing 8th in the 10000 and then had a very successful road running career clocking 2.08 for the marathon. Paul is a very relatable guy that got into the sport at a late age and achieved everything he did through pure dedication and doggedness. Nobody worked harder than Paul. I’ve been fortunate to know him from a young age and have learned a lot thanks to his advice and encouragement.

Favorite present professional runner - Chris Thompson. Thommo is a genuinely great guy that has time for everyone and is a really funny chap. It hasn’t come easy for Thommo, despite being such a phenomenal talent when he was younger many injuries have interrupted his progress. It’s been great to see him comeback so strong over the past couple of years. I remember speaking to him in January ’10 after he’d just had a very disappointing Euro XC the previous month and the way he discussed how he’d learnt from the experience and explained his performance was admirable so I’ve been really pleased to see his good, well deserved fortune since then.

Favorite present college distance runner – The standard in the NCAA at the moment is so good that it’s hard to choose between everyone and as a competitor it’s dangerous to think to highly of someone you’re looking to beat. Despite this I have to say that I really admire Diego Estrada, Nick Lachman and Chris Derrick.

Favorite past college distance runners – Lenny Korir, Mo Khadroui and Harbert Okuti.

6. Best or Worst thing about being a distance running?
The best thing is knowing that you’re doing all you can to make the best of your talent and the worst is when you have forced time out of the sport because of illness or injury.

7. Your Favorite Moment of your distance running career?
It’s hard to choose one specific moment. My English Schools XC title stands out as I had to overcome a decent amount the previous 12 months to win so that was a satisfying moment. However, nothing beats representing your country. I’ve been fortunate enough to run for Great Britain 10 times, every time that I’ve raced wearing the Union Jack across my chest stands out as my favorite moment in the sport.

8. Goals for 2012?
After the disappointment of taking a fall midway through NCAA Indoors and therefore not achieving what I wanted the fire is certainly there to bounce back for the outdoor season. I have goals and I’m not going to rule anything out. My 5000 time needs serious revision as it doesn't represent my ability as focus on the 5000 happens to have come at time when I’m not firing on all cylinders for some reason. I’m looking to significantly reduce my 1500 PB as well as that PB stands from 2009.

9. What made you decide on this haircut which I am thinking about doing?
I’ve always had attention-grabbing haircuts, it’s all part of my race preparation. I experimented with having my hair flat last year and decided to make it different by continuing my tradition of pink hair that I had the previous couple of years. However, not preparing my hair on race day just felt strange so I decided to revert to a hairstyle that takes some arranging and this is what I landed on because I wanted to stop dying it. I wouldn’t recommend trying it for yourself though unless you’re prepared to get lots of weird looks from passers-by.

10. What does the #Britirishtakeover mean to you?
I’m very proud to be British and I make no secret of that, it’s good to see fellow countrymen that I’ve been racing since I was a kid achieving so much against such great opposition. I know there are many that don’t like the influx of British and Irish guys over here but we’re all just doing what we can to make the most of ourselves as athletes. Hopefully along the way we will contribute to improved American performances and people will look at the #Britirishtakeover as a positive for our American opposition.

This is one of my favorite interview of my #Britirishtakeover , so far. I think that Mitch Goose is one cool guy

The 22nd Interview: BritirishTakeOver Bro, John Beattie

Well the interview is back and the first one is British Distance Runner, Joh Beattie and here is the interview

1. How did you get started in running?
Randomly entered the Great South Run 10 mile run in Portsmouth in 2002. I ran 59 minutes as an untrained 16 year old..quite promising off of nothing so decided to take it further
2. What do you tell people that don't get our sport of distance running?
Lots of things: Its a way of life, it has enabled me to travel and meet people from all over the world, has payed for a masters degree, and is something I love to do

3. What are you current PR's?
13.42 5000m, 28.32 10,000m, Marathon: Ask me in 5 weeks time

4. How different is Professional Distance Running Then College Running, for you?
Whilst I am not a 'fully fledged professional' in that I work as well, it is certainly different from my college days. Very much an individual sport, you really have to want to do it and make many more sacrifices than doing alongside a college degree. It is though much nicer to have freedom with races and plans, career direction etc

5. Who are your favorite professional and/or college distance runner(s) past and/or present & why?
Sammy Wanjuru: Utterly fearless, supremely talented, and changed marathon running forever with what he did in the Beijing Olympics.

6. Best or Worst thing about being a distance running?
Best bits: The enjoyment, the travelling, the competing, the social aspect. Worst bits: lack of glamour and finance (compared to other sports), occasionally dwell on some of the sacrifices involved

7. Your Favorite Moment of your distance running career?
The 2008 Cross Country Season. To take on and beat the utep kenyans at the Conference USA Champs (including my good friend and rival Japheth Ngojoy), and also lead the team that year to its best ever finish at NCAAs was a great memory. Season capped with winning the team title and finishing 6th individually at the European u23 XC Champs

8. Goals for 2012?
Lets go big on this one..Plan A is to run inside the Olympic Q time for the marathon of 2.12. Plan B..will decide on this if need be!

9. What does the #britirishtakeover mean to you?
As a co-founder of www.trackboundusa.co.uk it is only fitting that I should be part of this

Happy B-Day To Me!!!

As you can see the title it is my B-day is tomorrow, March 13th and I am going to 32 years old. In the world of Distance Running I feel like I am over the hill. I know that I will get a lot of Birthday Wishes on Facebook and Twitter that is awesome but my B-Day wish it that people haven't donated to get me to the Olympic Track Trials should donated as the donations is up to $1008.69 but I got  $5 dollars, $40 dollars, and $105 dollars donation that is not on the donation meters so the total is now up to $1158.69. The 5 dollars was from a UW-Stout distance runner friend, the 40 dollars was from The Fixer who already donated 50 dollars and the 105 dollars is from VS Athletics. In late breaking news I have new news about the Olympic Track Trials that my second group I will be working for is VS Athletics and I will be helping with interviews and in return they gave me 105 dollars for me to go to Olympic Track Trials and I will get a lot of free food before/during/after your interviews. Sounds like a great deal right.

Here are the links to the facebook and the link to donate:
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/groups/208878542533993/ (The Facebook Group)
https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/OR/Eugene/SendDerekRubisToTheOlympicTrials (The Donation Website)

Olympic Track Trials UPDATE!!!

This blog is an UPDATE!!! on what is happening to me with The Olympic Track Trails. I bet you guys are wondering if I am going or not where in this blog I will tell you.

First of all you all know there is a facebook group called, "Let's Send Derek Rubis to the Olympic Trials" and donations went to the website, RunSetUp.com . When I got the first check from RunSetUp it was for $500 dolloars and I got my tickets for the 8 days of trials. It was $475 dollars for Section U Row 6 Seat 6 for all 8 days. I thought that was crazy compaired to other sporting events like the playoff for basketball & football the ticket cost over 1,000 dollars or more so I got a bargain for 8 days. Second thing is plane tickets to the Trials and I am getting them for both my birthday and christmas combine so all I need is a place to say and I am hoping it at one of the Oregon guys, former or current distance runners, place. Also, thing that is crazy is Keith Brumund-Smith, whoi started the facebook group, hope me with a few other things as well. The first thing is I will be doing is Video Blog every nite after that at the trials for Runnerspace. The second thing was to be that First to the Finish was to fligh me to the Trials if I wore First To The Finish Gear but that fell through and will not happen but Keith is working on something else. Keith is working out with VS Athletic if I wear there hats they might chip in a couple hundred buck into the dontation. Lastly, today I got the second check for $508.69 dollars. I hope to Update you more as things develop.

Pointer Qualifier

Last weekend I ran the 3K at Pointer Qualifier and for those who don't know that is the Last Chance Meet before Nationals. This mmeet was great cause I saw so many people from different WIAC DIII colleges that I knew along with some Steven Point Alumni Runners came back to run the 5K which was run just after my 3K race. I saw one of my best friends who I haven't see in about 2 years, Corey Towel. Before my race everyone wanted to get in a picture with me and/or I wanted to take a picture of them. I wanted to take a pic of something other then the distance races and distance runners. I had some much fun more then I did at any other meet.

My race there were only 4 runners if you include me as one. There was one Stevens Point Alumni, two Point Runners & Me. Tim Thornburg, Kyle Burkwald & Reuben Frey. I feel like I should have had a Steven Point Singlet on during the race so I could feel like I was more like a Point runner cause I am an honoray Point Runner. The funny thing about the race was the guys and me in the race feel more like family/bros and our race numbers where the numbers that we finished. During the race I knew that I was going to 4th place out of 4th but I didn't care cause I really want to pr of 11:11 and I didn't I got a time 11:23 which is ok with me. I didn't think of this race as a competion I thought of this race as a race /run against family/bros and that was ok with me.

Illinois Club Relay

On Feb. 25 I ran the 3K at Illinois Club Relays and it was ran at Univeristy of Illinois. To me this was too cool cause the only two DI Colleges that I ran at where Wisconsin and Indiana University. I just ran a lap on the banked track at Indiana University. I didn't know what the track would look like and I was hoping that it was a banked track so that I can finally say that I truely ran on a banked track but it wasn't a banked track. It was a normal track like any other indoor track. The coolest thing abut the place was that it wasn't called an Indoor Tack and Field as you can see by the photo it was called The Armory Track and Floor. Now onto the race.

Illinois Club Relay is just for Track & Field Clubs around the midwest. I ran the 3K and it was amazing cause there was 5 sections of the 3K. I was more nevrous than I ever been before cause I am used to race with runners with seed time in the 9-10 minutes but in this race I was around guys with about the same seed times as me. During the race two thing happened that never happened to me in a race I was blocked in and I was in the middle of the pack. I end up laping a guy and passing a guy in  the race to become 3 to last in the race and I am usally last in a race. Also, in the race I got a pr of 11:16, it was a 3 second pr and closer to my indoor goal of getting 11:11. I knew I had just one more indoor race of the season and I knew I could maybe get that 11:11 at Pointer Qualifier the next week

#OUTakeover

I bet you are wondering what this blog is about and it is about University of Oklahoma distance running take over. The hastag of takeover started with the Britirish takeover then went on to Tally takeover. Then it went on to all the DI & DIII colleges that I know most of the Distance Runners on that tem like Oregon, Stanford, Oklahoma State, UW-La Crosse, Indiana University, Wisconsin, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Stevens Point & Carroll Univeristy. That is beside the point and why I am writing this cause as you know there is a facebook group that is trying to get me to the Olympic Track Trials in Eugene, OR and people in the distance running world that I know both college & pro distance runners have been donate money for me to get to Eugene to enjoy the Olympic Track Trials but this morning The University Of Oklahoma Distance Runner did some amazing they more than any one else and/or college distance team has with 7 different different distance runners had donated $250 dollars to the cause and I am so proud of them and I know there are distance runners out there that love me. I say this cause I used to feel that there is nobody that love this sport of Distance Running as much as I do and this morning and my years as "The Hub Of Distance Running" I found out there are more people/distance runners than care about this sport as much as I do. Thanks #OUTakeover and all the other guys who support this cause and have donated