Bobby Curtis KWIK-E

February 22, 2008

After a fourth place finish at NCAA XC, Villanova's Bobby Curtis opened up his Indoor season with a 7:50 3k. Training under legendary Coach Marcus O'Sullivan, Curtis is already looking outdoors and towards the Olympic Trials.

That 7:50 3k, how did that one feel?
It felt really good. It was my first race of the year and I'd really only done three track workouts before it. I've been doing more strength stuff. Like 16 miles long runs, tempos, and threshold type work outs. It's kind of hard to gauge where my fitness was. I knew the pacing for the race was going to go out at 4:12 pace. I thought I would be able to do that, I just wasn't sure about the later stages of the race. I ended up having pretty good bounce in my legs in the last 600m, which is surprising because I really haven't done much speed work. All and all, it was a great start to the season.

That said, do you think you could lower that time?
It's really hard to say that it will actually happen, because running faster is contingent upon actually having a race where you can go out faster than 4:12...and the only other 3k I'll be running will be at NCAAs. I think I'll definitely be in shape to go faster, but whether or not a race will be set up to go that fast will be another question. It was definitely a good starting point to the season and as it goes on I'll get much fitter than that 7:50.

Will you be looking to double?
Yeah, I'll double, but not the 3k/5k. I'll do the DMR Friday night and then the 3k on Saturday.

What are your indoor goals?
I guess because I was the runner up at 5k outdoors and doing well at NCAAs isn't doing it anymore, it would be considered successful if we either won the DMR or I won the 5k. I guess those are the ultimate goals and if that doesn't happen...it won't be the end of the world. Those were just the goals going into the season.

Would you say you were happy with your fourth place finish at XC NCAAs?
I was only disappointed because I didn't feel my fittest during the race. I've said this to a lot of people, but I think I misjudged my season a little bit. Fourth place though. If someone told me that I would get fourth place at NCAA Cross, before the season began, I would be pretty happy with that. But having run the race and see that Lopez was within striking and at one point Rupp and McDougal were right there with me. It was a good result, but I guess there was a little more to be desired because I definitely think I can run with those guys.

This being an Olympic year, where do you want to be in your training in say...about four months?
It's kind of tough. In Marcus' training, you have a 20 week period from when you start your training. Regardless of your training you're going to peak in those 20 weeks or you're going to get worse after those 20 weeks. So, what we're trying to do is model my season to peak at Mt. SAC. Hopefully that goes well and after that we will go back to strength or threshold type training, sharpen up for NCAAs, run NCAAs and then hopefully I'll have the Trials Standard then I can run the Trials and possibly go run in Europe. It's going to be a super long season, but hopefully if we do it right I'll be able to be in good enough shape to run well at Mt. SAC., take a little bit of down time and then be ready for the Trials.

Do you think you'll be going for the 5k then?
It's hard to say because both events (5k/10k) are pretty stacked for the Trials. So, I'm not really sure what I'll do there, but for NCAAs I'm fairly certain I'll be running the 5k.

I read about the sleep disorder you had, are you completely over that?
It's kind of one of those things that will always give me anxiety. It's to the point where it's definitely not something that's taking over my life like it was. This may be kind of a bad analogy, but, I would say it's like being a drug addict or an alcoholic. Like maybe you're completely over it, but it affected your life so much that it's always on your mind. Most nights I sleep as much as a normal person, but occasionally I'll have little spells where I'll get myself in a little trouble. But having learned what I learned going through all that, I was a sophomore and a junior, that I definitely would never get back to that point (sophomore and junior year).

Would you say you'd be a different runner if you didn't have to go through that?
You know when you're going through something tough in your life, people always say â€œwhatever doesn't kill you is going to make you strongerâ€? I definitely didn't believe that while I was having all the trouble I was having. Looking back, retrospectively now, it's definitely something that's made me stronger now. It's increased my toughness. There were times when I was coming back and I was a little overweight, had no motivation, and I was sleeping poorly. Getting back in shape, while going through that, did make me a little tougher. It got me together a little bit. It made me reorganize my life a little bit.

You mentioned going over to Europe later this year, does that mean you are looking to go pro?
Yeah, I definitely want to pursue running post-collegiately. I didn't always think that, but given the success I've had over the last six months, I've definitely had a change in heart. I think it would be a big mistake if I didn't pursue professional running at least of a couple years after college. That's the goal right now. But it's contingent on getting a contract and stuff like that...but it's definitely something I want to pursue.

What kind of mileage guy are you?
I think that I've found that my sweet spot is right around 80ish miles a week with a 16 mile long run. Anything more than that, I think it just leaves me feeling kind of flat. And anything less than that is just not enough as far as getting the strength required to run a good 5k. I'd say 80 miles a week is good for me right now and that will increase as I go on and start to get stronger.

Can you give me a crazy story related to running? It could be team related or anything like that.
Crazy stuff is always happening to us because we are running in an area that is always busy. OK, one time we were running and a car cut us off, so all of us hit the back of the car. The guy followed us for a mile screaming that he was going to kill us, that he was going to â€œfâ€ us up, all this stuff. So then we tried to hide and run from him...then he found us again. We were doing a workout and the guy comes to Marcus and is pretty much cursing him out. Then after talking to Marcus for about five minutes the guy finally cooled off, kind of apologized, but then our Athletic Director made us call the guy and apologize for hitting his car. So, that was scary. (Laughs) Yeah, people here aren't just obnoxious drivers, but they are obnoxious people as well. They'll cut you off and then bitch you out for hitting their car when they cut you off. It can definitely be kind of crazy sometimes.

Does is make it hard to run down there or do you have plenty of trails to run on?
Well, honestly, it makes it interesting. Because there are like two types of people in this area. There are crazy Philly people, who are just rough people and do whatever they want. They'll like curse you out and whatever. But then there are mainline, upper-class women, who are on their cell phones and totally oblivious to the world. And they'll run you over...not on purpose, but because they are talking on their cell phones. Nothing like battling those types of people when your training on the roads day to day.

All right, who's more dangerous out of those two people?
Definitely the women. Women in SUVs, on a cell phone...if something's going to happen...I would say it's that type of person that would be the cause of the problem.

You're only taking two classes, what are you doing when you're not training or going to class?
I'm actually working part time at a little finance job. I work 15 hours a week doing that and it's pretty low key. It's pretty nice to have a lot of free time. The one class I'm taking is a night class and the other class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I have no class on Mondays and Fridays so that's pretty cool.

What's it like having Marcus O'Sullivan as a coach?
It's pretty awesome. I mean Marcus is really insightful, he knows a lot about training. Aside from running he's a super cool person and has a lot of stories about him racing in Europe and stories about life in general. He's a great coach because all of his athletes connect with him on a bunch of different levels. He's our coach, our friend, and father figure...he's there for any kind of support you need. He's been a great coach.

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#4	Hasadf February 23, 2008 at 2:03pm what sleep disorder did he have? insomnia? reply
#3	Hmmmm February 22, 2008 at 11:18pm Yeah, I'll double, but not the 3k/5k. I'll do the DMR Friday night and then the 3k on Saturday. ... I guess because I was the runner up at 5k outdoors and doing well at NCAAs isn't doing it anymore, it would be considered successful if we either won the DMR or I won the 5k. reply
#2	Leo_x February 22, 2008 at 11:04am I like this guy he is good. I saw on flocasts the race he won in the "big east x country Championship" in Kentucky and he was great. I think he could be up there with Ritz and all of those guys and with Marcus as a coach (very good) the possibilities are great. Keep up the good work Curtis you also seem like a nice guy. reply
#1	English February 22, 2008 at 10:06am Tony casey you gotta proof read brotha reply