Graff, Chris - 28´07 10k, ´99 US XC team (12km)
Reprinted from:
Trackcoach.com
Name: Chris Graff
Event(s):
10,000m
PR's: 28:07.17
Brief Bio:
St. John's University: 2 time all american (5k & 10k), 4 school
records 13:46 5k, 29:12 10k, 7:25 4x800, 4 x mile), big east 10k
champion.
Reebok Enclave: 8th USATF XC, 70th IAAF World
XC, 11th USATF 10k, 4th World University Games, Army 10 mile
champion
Questions:
What are some of your goals for the upcoming
year?
This year there is only one goal, to
make the Olympic 10,000m team. There are some other things
that we want to accomplish before then such as make the World Cross
Country Team, and run some big 5k's, but they are steps towards the
one goal.
What are some of your plans for the upcoming
year to reach those goals?
Mostly we plan
to continue building strength for as long as possible.
Increasing volume, and keeping my easy runs faster are things I have
been working on.
What is(are) your
favorite workout(s)?
To me any workout is
great if I feel like i got everything out of it. I like
running race simulation workouts that make you feel like you are
ready to go. For example: 1 mile @ 4:12, 7 mile tempo at 5:30,
1 mile cut down @ 4:12; or 2mile in 8:30, and then some fast halves
of quarters. On the other end of the spectrum, I also like
cranking out 20 miles at 5:30 pace once in a while.
What factors do you attribute to your
success?
I think my work ethic is my best
quality when it comes to running. I can focus myself well
usually on the day it counts. Also I have always had coaches
who thought of my running as long term, so they were careful not to
do things that would benefit me short term but would be negative for
my developement.
What is your training
philosophy?
I would say two things. First,
you always get more strength, so dont be afraid of running more than
you have in the past. Second, you have to listen to your body
as to when it is telling you it has had enough, but be aware that
sometimes it is lying to you.
Do you have any advice that may help other
runners reach their potential?
I think
there is certainly nothing wrong with training very hard, as long as
you are doing it sensibly. Building strength is the key to
distance running, so the more you can get the better you will
be. However, be aware that you train to race. In
training be cautious and listen to your body. In racing, be
agressive, and make the decision to run as hard as you
can.
