Stewart, Jason - Olympic Trials Finalist, 99 US XC team
Reprinted from:
Trackcoach.com
Name: Jason Stewart
Event(s): 5k
Brief Bio: Conrad Weiser High School, Robesonia, PA- '90: PA
State Mile Champ - '90 (4:12.96) Kinney XC - 12th - '89 United
States Military Academy, West Point - '94: 3 Time
All-American. IC4A XC Champ - '93. 3rd Outdoor NCAA 5k - '94.
West Point Athlete of the Year - '93-'94. US Army World Class
Athlete Program - '96 Olympic Trials Finalist - 11th. 6th
USATF 5k - '97. USATF 4k XC 2nd - '98.
PRs: 1500 - 3:40.01 3k - 7:56.2 5k - 13:35.00
other: Bosnia Vet - '96-'97. US Army Para-Trooper.
Questions:
1. What are some of your goals for the upcoming year?
I have three major goals for the upcoming year...1) Place top 3
at the US 4k XC Championships. 2) Finish top 25 at World Cross. 3)
Finish top 3 (and make the Olympic Team) at the USATF Outdoor Track
Championships.
2. What are some of your plans for the upcoming year to reach
those goals?
I've recently changed coaches (WR holder Arturro Barrios) and his
training is strength based and seems to be more in tune to what I
need as an athlete. We are planning a trip to Mexico City for
January to train at one of the Mexican training camps and try and
avoid some of the brutal winter weather here in Boulder.
3. What is your favorite workout(s)?
I am a fan of long intervals. I appreciate the value of 2 x10
minutes or 3 x 3k and know that when I do a workout like that, I'm
getting the most bang for the buck.
4. What factors do you attribute to your success?
I think the fact that I have a life outside of running has helped
my athletic performance greatly. I'm in this sport for one reason:
to make the Olympic team. My motivation has nothing to do with
making money so I have been able to survive some down times in my
performance. The Army's support of the WCAP is the only reason I am
still running.
5. What is your training philosophy?
I prefer strength over speed and quality over quantity.
6. Do you have any advice that may help other runners reach their
potential?
Decide what works best for you as an individual. Some runners
adjust their training in an effort to conform to the schedule of
others in their workout group. This can be a mistake if the desire
to train with the group takes you away from your game plan.
Additionaly, don't give in to the urge to overtrain. In most cases,
one who listens to his body will get the most out of
it.
