43rd Interview University of Colorado's Jake Hurysz

This interview is of one hell of a distance runner University of Colorado's own Jake Hurysz

1. How did you get started in running?
I got started running sophomore year in track. I played basketball and soccer prior to running. Started cross country my junior year of high school

2. What do you tell people that don't get our sport of distance running?
I tell people that they don't have to understand what we do, and I can't explain why I do it. Just a certain love for achieving goals

3. What are you current PR's?
1500: 3:42 3000: 8:01 5000: 13:38

4. How do you manage being a college student with being a college distance runner?
I have to plan my studying around my sleeping schedule. I try not to let school be much of a burden on training. It's definitely a challenge but also well worth it

5. Who are your favorite professional and/or college distance runner(s) past and/or present & why?
my favorite distance runner is Rob Watson because he runs a sweet blog. Jenny DeDouchet is my favorite middle distance runner. Also Billy Nelson and the rest of my teammates at CU.

Billy Nelson aka our Steeplechase Coach, Coach Yelawolf, is an amazing pick for favorite Distance Runner

6. Best or Worst thing about being a distance running?
 the worst thing about being a distance runner is dealing with constant nagging injuries. A lot of fellow distance runners would agree.

7. Your Favorite Moment of your distance running career?
my favorite moment was winning the pac 12 championship this fall in LA. Our team was really focused on the goal all year and it was great to see things come together

8. Goals for 2013?
goals would be to lower my PRs and learn how to race tactically and work on my closing speed a bit

42nd Interview My Lil' Bro DIII UW-Oshkosh John Dewitt

My 42nd Interview is one of my Lil' Bros, DIII UW-Oshkosh Distance Runner & 2012 XC All-American Distance Runner John Dewitt

1. How did you get started in running?
I actually started in elementary school as a part of a running club in my 4th grade class. I ran about 10 miles a week, and trained for the 5 mile Frostbite run in Stevens Point. After a few years of that, I fell away from running for awhile. I loved football and baseball, and always will. So, I played those all throughout my years, into my freshman year and for part of my sophomore year of high school. However, before the spring season of sports, I got convinced to give track and field a try. And, so I did, and I loved every bit of it. And that's when distance running truly became my passion.

2. What do you tell people that don't get our sport of distance running?
There really is something special about running. It is a lot of work, and at times, you absolutely hate it, but for the most part, it's awesome. It teaches you perseverance and work ethic. You grow as an athlete and an individual. Most importantly, you create a special bond with your teammates and your opponents. You all understand how hard everyone is working, and that brings people together. Through all our struggles, we persevere together.

3. What are you current PR's?
10k- 30:14
8k- 24:39
5k- 14:47

4. How do you manage being a college student with being a college distance runner?
It actually makes college easier I think. Being a runner allows me to both de-stress when I'm having a rough day, and it allows me to block out my time better. Instead of wasting a bunch of time, I become more efficient with my time. I really do think it helps.
5. Who are your favorite professional and/or college distance runner(s) past and/or present & why?
Nick Willis. I've gotten the chance to sit down and talk with him, and I really like how his faith in Jesus Christ drives his running. He runs for the glory of the Lord, and I strive to do the same.

6. Best or Worst thing about being a distance running?
Best- Getting to hang out with your best friends for over an hour, while getting in exercise
Worst- The feeling after a bad race. Knowing you had more, and just didn't use it. It's awful.

7. Your Favorite Moment of your distance running career?
You know, I've been fortunate to have a lot of great moments to choose from, but it's really hard to beat Cross Country Nationals 2012. I'd worked my whole career with the goal of being an All-American, and I'd come up short multiple times. But, finally, on my last chance in cross country, I ran a tough race, and gave it everything I had and crossed the line as an NCAA Division 3 All-American. It was an unbelievably fun trip, and an incredible moment of triumph for me as an athlete: to finally accomplish that goal I had set out for myself 4 years earlier. And it was so sweet. All glory be to the Lord Jesus Christ, who gives me strength.

8. Goals for 2013?
It's hard to pinpoint exact goals, but I just want to build off my performances from last track season and this past cross country season, and become better than I have ever been before.

The 41st Interview Drew Butler, University of Arkansas Distance Runner

41st Interview is Drew Butler from University Of Arkansas

1. How did you get started in running?
I got started in running in junior high because I thought it would help me make the basketball team. I never made the team but I did find an enjoyment for the sport of running

2. What do you tell people that don't get our sport of distance running?
I would tell them that they should give it a try because it is a great form of fitness

3. What are you current PR's?
800 1:48.65 1200 2:56 1500: 3:52 Mile: 4:06 (split)

4. How do you manage being a college student with being a college distance runner?
I try and focus on getting what I need to get done for school early so that it doesn't get in the way of running

5. Who are your favorite professional and/or college distance runner(s) past and/or present & why?
My favorite college distance runner is Reed Connor who was a high school team mate of mine and a great source of inspiration for what hard work can do for an athlete

6. Best or Worst thing about being a distance running?
Best part of running is definitely the camaraderie amongst teammates who become like family

7. Your Favorite Moment of your distance running career?
Favorite moment of my career was the 2009 nike outdoor national meet, or perhaps the 2010 ncaa indoor meet, both meets stand out for good performances shared with teammates

8. Goals for 2013?
My goals include pr'ing in every event and making nationals in the dmr and as an individual indoors and outdoors. I also hope to win an individual conference title, and have the team win the indoor national meet in Fayetteville

40th Interview David Flynn

my 40th Interview is University Of Arkansas' own David Flynn

1. How did you get started in running?
When i was in high school we had a mile loop we had to do in pe and i had the fastest time in my year

2. What do you tell people that don't get our sport of distance running?
I tell them they will never understand the hard work and effort that is put into it and that it sucks to be just an average joe.

3. What are you current PR's?
3000m steeplechase 8.49 mile 4.08 3000m = 8.13 5k =14.24

4. How do you manage being a college student with being a college distance runner?
University of Arkansas has great support with an academic center for all of there athletes with tudors and help all through the school year.

5. Who are your favorite professional and/or college distance runner(s) past and/or present & why?
My favourite professional runner would be Alistair cragg because of what hes done for Ireland and the university of Arkansas

6. Best or Worst thing about being a distance running?
The best thing about distance running is when all the training and hard workouts pay off and you achieve your goals. The worst thing about distance running is the lack of support it has compared to sports such as american football and soccer.

7. Your Favorite Moment of your distance running career?
Winning Irish olympic trials in the steeplechase 2012

8. Goals for 2013?

NCAA all american in the steeple, World Universitys in the steeple get my mile and 1500 time down

39th Interview University of Arkansas' Anthony Lieghio

My 39th Interview is University of Arkansas' Own Anthony Lieghio

1. How did you get started in running?
I got into running because a girl I liked was in my local running club

2. What do you tell people that don't get our sport of distance running?
i tell people that don't understand my sport not to join it because it's painful work

3. What are you current PR's?
800 1.48 mile 4.02

4. How do you manage being a college student with being a college distance runner?
I don't manage college and running lol

5. Who are your favorite professional and/or college distance runner(s) past and/or present & why?
Has to be eamon coghlan reason being he is my coach back home an his mentality was amazing

6. Best or Worst thing about being a distance running?
Best thing about distance running is going on runs with friends socializing. Worst thing about distance running is getting up for long runs on the weekends.

7. Your Favorite Moment of your distance running career?
best memory of my career for now is running in the European u23 final

8. Goals for 2013?
Goals for the yeah run as fast as I can

38th Interview DIII UW-Oshkosh's Casey Karpin

My next interview of DIII UW-Oshkosh's Casey Karpin

1. How did you get started in running?
i started running my junior year of high school after compressing my spine playing football. a few friends of mine, jack hackett, evan ross, and a few few other convinced me to start running.

2. What do you tell people that don't get our sport of distance running?
for people who dont get our sport, i just ask them whats the one thing they truly enjoy? whats the thing that they love to do? because i love to run. i dont always know why.. but i just do. From the people you meet to the pain and feeling of a great workout, there just isn't anything better.

3. What are you current PR's?
8k- 28:14
5k- 16:56
mile- 4:35

4. How do you manage being a college student with being a college distance runner?
i recently came to new thought about school that has been helping me recently, my coach told me if you wanna be successful in running and you want to dominate, then you must have that thought with everything you do. So, why not start with dominating in the classroom?

5. Who are your favorite professional and/or college distance runner(s) past and/or present & why?
Evan Jager- Basically just for his flow
Tim Nelson- One of the nicest guys you will ever meet, hands down. Not only that but he worked extremely hard for the accomplishments he has achieved. He wasn't the fastest guy in high school and now he's the best D3 distance runner in the nation.

6. Best or Worst thing about being a distance running?
Best- the reactions you get from people when in everyday conversation running comes up and they ask how far you usually run. Then you reply with anywhere from 8 to 15 miles.
Worst- the intimidation factor when you're in the gym and you look to your left and the guy next to you is lifting over 5 times what you can. Then you look to your right and the girl next to you is lifting about the same weight as you are.

7. Your Favorite Moment of your distance running career?
My favorite moments come down to those races when you hit the finish line of a pr race and even though you can't really even walk around you're just happy knowing the hundreds of miles your ran were worth something.

8. Goals for 2013?
Mile- sub 4:30
3k- sub 9:10
Steeplechase- sub 10
5k- sub 16:15
8k cross country- 26:30

37th Interview DII Adam State Distance Runner Matt Daniels

My first interview of a DII Distance Runner, Matt Daniel of Adam State


1. How did you get started in running? I started getting into running in the second grade. We had event sign ups for field day and I had no idea what event i wanted to do. My PE teacher told me i had long legs so i should try the distance run. I won and continued to do that race all the way until i entered middle school and could join cross-country. Then it went on from there.

2. What do you tell people that don't get our sport of distance running? I tell them i can understand. I took 2 and a half years off from running. smoked a lot, drank a lot. When i decided to start back running was awful and I could not figure out for the life of me why i ever did it. Then once i started to get back into shape i realized how enjoyable it really is. So i tell them that its not a very enjoyable
thing until you are in the kind of shape to where it becomes fun and a little easier.

3. What are you current PR's? 1500: 3:45 5k: 13:59

4. How do you manage being a college student with being a college distance runner? It is very difficult at times for me. I'm the type that likes to focus on one thing and put all of my energy towards it and make the best out of it. That being said in college is you dont do well in the classroom your not going to be able to compete. So ive had to look at school and running as one thing and spend equal amount of time on both. I wake up spend 2 hours at practice in the morning. Go to class for 4-5 hours. Then go to our afternoon practice for another 3 hours. After all of that is done i spend an equal amount of time outside of class and practice working on homework and other things running related. The social scene is basically non existent. I have a girlfriend who keeps me sane.

5. Who are your favorite professional and/or college distance runner(s) past and/or present & why? From the past my favorite professional runners were probably Frank shorter and Steve Ovett. I like both runners because of the range they had. Frank shorter was always interesting to me because of the era he ran in. pretty blue collar and just put in the miles at altitude and did it with class. He also did his biggest part of training while in Law school, which is something i hope to do soon. Steve Ovett like i said had ridiculous range. But i love watching videos of him running in the past. He had a certain type of fire inside of him almost to the point of being a bit cocky which always makes things fun. Both guys just had flawless form as well. Present day I don't really have a favorite runner. I try not to idolize the guys i will hopefully be competing against. But i do enjoy watching the two Kenyans from Arizona state run. They have really raised the bar in collegiate distance running.

6. Best or Worst thing about being a distance running? Best thing about being a distance runner would have to be the feeling of self satisfaction you get after running a great race or a personal record. The worse thing about being a distance runner has got to be just the daily grind. day in and day out it can really take its toll(especially up here at 7550ft) but that being said it is still well worth it when you are running good.

7. Your Favorite Moment of your distance running career? I've had a lot of moments i would consider great in my career. But my most recent one was coming in 4th at DII XC nationals this year with two of my teammates getting second and third right ahead of me. For cross-country not being my specialty i was pretty pumped. We also won the team title which just put the icing on the cake. The greatest moments are those you get to share with your team!

8. Goals for 2013? My Goals for 2013 are to dip under 13:40 in the 5k and run somewhere under 3:43 for the 1500. More than anything i want to help the track team win Indoor and Outdoor Nationals so we can be the first team in the History of DII to get the triple crown. That is important to me.