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Gabe Jennings

Interview with Gabe Jennings

Posted on September 11, 2006, Interview conducted September 8, 2006

By Duncan Larkin

We caught up with middle-distance runner Gabe Jennings via e-mail while he was training and racing in Europe. Shortly before this interview, Jennings ran 2:18.33 for 1,000m (five seconds shy of the American Record) in Nancy, France. He is a 2002 graduate of Stanford University, where he was a three-time NCAA Champion (two titles in individual events, one relay title). In 2000, he was ranked as the #1 1,500m runner in the U.S. and won the Olympic Trials 1,500m in 3:35.90. Jennings represented the U.S. in the 2000 Olympic Games, placing ninth in his 1,500m semifinal.

From 2002-2004 Jennings dropped out of competitive racing altogether. In 2003, he decided to ride a 30-year-old 10-speed bike approximately 6,000 miles from Northern California to Brazil in order to practice capoeria (Afro-Brazilian martial arts) under the guidance of a Brazilian capoeria master. Jennings' 'vision quest' ended with him contracting hepatitis A upon reaching his destination and having to be hospitalized for treatment. (He contracted the hepatitis while using water from the polluted Amazon River to brush his teeth.)

In 2005, Jennings began a comeback. He began working with a coach, Terrence Mahon of Team Running USA, and began training for longer distances. In December of 2005 at the California International Marathon, he debuted with an impressive 2:19:32, good for second place. Since then, Jennings has refocused on middle distance training and ran a 3:39.42 1,500 at the 2006 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in June, placing a close second to Bernard Lagat. He is currently focusing on making the 2008 Olympic team in the 1,500 meters and medaling in Beijing.

Tell us how your summer's been going in Europe. What's been your best race/worst race over there?
I am enjoying the European circuit, where in the past it was intimidating and tiring. My worst race was an 800m in the Netherlands (1:51.8), where I finished second. [I was] totally tying up, and it was windy and rainy. My best race was a 1,000m run in Nancy, France. I came through the 800m in 1:51 and finished in 2:18 for second place behind the legendary [Mehdi] Baala. Though it was most satisfying being part of the USA's team title in Paris at the DecaNations meet. Even though I took fourth, I made a ballsy move with 300m to go and gave everything in the back stretch. The team atmosphere was contagious and we plan on continuing with a USA triumph in Athens at the World Cup.

What will it take to medal in the 1,500 in Beijing? What are you doing differently to approach the 2008 Olympics than what you did in 2000?
Hard work, good planning, good strategy, and Zen mind. In terms of differences, I'm doing all of the above, plus no girlfriend distractions and no school distractions.

What's the hardest running workout you've ever done in your life? Why?
20 x 400m in under 60 seconds with 1:00 jog (in my dreams). Grit.

What has your training been lately? What's your weekly mileage been?
My training is geared for racing now that I am putting the finishing touches. My weekly mileage is about 30 right now. A sample workout would be something like 600m 1:18; with 3:00 rest; 200m in 23 seconds.

How do you gauge recovery between workouts? What might a recovery run look like for you?
I don't gauge recovery between workouts, I plan on three workouts per week and I stick to the schedule. A recovery run at peak season might be 20 - 40 minutes by feel, with core, plyos, yoga, and stretching.

You are clearly a versatile runner. It's rumored that you were considering running the White River 50 miler a while back but had a hard time finding the start. Were you really considering running the White River race? Have you ever considered ultras?
Yes I did sleep through the White River 50 miler after an all-night train ride from Davis, California to Seattle, Washington. I did consider doing ultras, but only on trails; it is part of my Indian heritage to run for 100+ miles at a time. If there was enough prize money and glory I would consider doing an ultra. Running ultras, just like biking to Brazil, has very little to do with running and everything to do with spirit.

Do you use a heart rate monitor in training?
No. But I used to, it can be a useful tool, especially if you work out by yourself. My favorite heart monitor workout is 10 x 1,500m at a heart rate over 160 beats per minute, with recovery down to 130 beats per minute. I would usually begin the workout with 10 seconds recovery and end with two minutes.

In your last race versus Bernard Lagat, he got you at the tape. The look on both your faces is very indicative of how close that race was. What will it take to beat him next time?
To beat Lagat, I will need to train harder than he does; that will be very difficult. He is the second greatest miler of all time. I think I can do it.

Why did you decide to run the California International Marathon last winter? Were you, at that point, contemplating giving up middle distance running and migrating to longer races?
I raced CIM mostly for the glory, but also for the money. Yes, I was contemplating giving up middle distance running; in fact, I was contemplating giving up all of competitive running, and CIM made me realize how much I loved to run. It was definitely an emotional victory to succeed, and have the support of my family, teammates, and coaches Dena Evans and Terrence Mahon. Dena has been my inspiring motivation, and Terrence my psychic strategist. Don't forget Terrence paced me through 13 miles! Find me another coach who will go to the line for his athletes! CIM gave me great recognition, but also was a crucial source of revenue. I lived off of $8,000 dollars last year between prize money and coaching. It can be a tough life as a semi-professional runner--I'm sure many of you out there can attest to that!

What's the highest mileage you've run in one week?
150 miles

How much recovery time do you take during a repeat 400m workout? Do you take your pulse after your reps?
I take 60 seconds rest for quarters in 58, 2:00 rest for quarters in 56, 3:00 rest for quarters in 54, 4:00 rest for 52, and full recovery for 48-second quarters. I don't take my pulse.

Do you stretch before running? After running? What is your philosophy on stretching?
I stretch after running and do plyometrics before workouts. Stretching is mostly useless unless you do it with integrity. I recommend holding long poses from the yoga disciplines, or doing dynamic resistance stretching, either with a partner, into the ground, into yourself, or into the steeplechase barrier. No pain, no gain. Try hurdling, gymnastics and hip rotations of all kinds.