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