DII Interview-Michael Crouch

April 7, 2009

At the Stanford Invitational last week, Queen’s Michael Crouch finished 9^th in the 5k in a time of 13:46.97. This time puts him as the top seed time for the DII Outdoor Track and Field National Championships. Crouch’s success has not been limited to only this outdoor season. He won the 5k at the Indoor National Championships and came in third this past season at the DII Cross Country National Championships.

Crouch is a sophomore transfer from Yucca Valley, California. “There are too many reasons to count that brought me to Queens. Some I would rather not say because I don’t want to offend certain people. I basically transferred because I got injured two times in one year at Cal State (San Marcos) and was sick of it. I needed a program that I didn’t want to punch myself in the face at because I was once again training on the elliptical,” he explains, “I also felt like I needed more people to train with. That is what I got at Queens especially for XC.”

Along with the change from West to East, there have been changes in his training. Discussing the intensity of his new training regime, he says, “Some of the biggest changes in my workouts is the volume and paces that I am doing them at. Before this year the highest volume I had done on the track was 4 miles worth of work. I did start out with that at the beginning of track year but I have worked my way up to 10k volume doing 25x400, 12x800 and 6xmile at a very hard pace with hammers in the middle pushing myself as hard as I could. I mean Fasil Bizuneh, Oscar Ogwaro, Daniel Kanyaruhuru, and I all averaged 62's on the track for 25x400 hammering 56's and 57's.”

Track work is not the only change in Crouch’s training. “The other large change in my workouts is doing predator runs, which is starting at a tempo run pace and finishing with a pace that I basically want to pass out at. The key of all the workouts is to learn the skill of pushing yourself to your limits,” he adds.

These predator runs can get very competitive. “We (Daniel Kanyaruhuru and I) would always make bets on who was going to win in the next predator run, him or me. I always won until one time he wanted to win so bad he lay awake in bed all night and devised a tactical plan to beat me. Sadly it worked,” he recalls.

This hard working attitude will only help Crouch with his goals. He explains, “My biggest goal is to be able to glorify God in every race I run and thank him for any time I race whether it is good or bad because he is the one who gave me this gift. Next is to be happy with how I performed in my race now matter what time I run as long as I gave it everything I have. I think that should be everyone's goal above all.”

As for time goals, Crouch would rather stay quiet, “Time wise I would rather keep that between my coach, teammates and myself. I will just say that I believe there is definitely more in the tank” he states, but adds, “I will give one of my time goals before I graduate. It is something that I would literally do anything after if I accomplished it and that is to take down Michael Aish's 13:22 5k DII record. I think I can take a stab at it by the time I graduate. I have two full years after this track season and I think it is possible.”

Crouch not only wants to compete in the 5k at Nationals, but hopes to conquer the 1500 as well. He explains, “I will also possibly be running the 1500 at DII nationals. Aaron Braun has been loving life with all his mile and 1500 track titles and I want to see if I can give him a challenge. He’s a great guy and I am sure he would love the challenge.” He continues, “I will be running another 5k or two in order to try and secure a spot at U.S. Outdoor Nationals come here in June. I would be so excited if I get to race at [the USATF Outdoor National Championships in] Oregon. I am already staying there for the summer with my good friend Sean Brosnan so hopefully I get to run the race as well.”

It is not necessarily all work and no play for Crouch, “I also love pulling pranks on people especially my teammate Stefan Liotchev. Just the other night I placed this fake dog crap in the hallway. My teammates and me just sat back and laughed at people’s reactions. They actually thought it was real. Someone even poked it with a rolled up piece of toilet paper,” he continues, “You don’t even want to be around me during Halloween. I go all out. I was an insane clown in a full suit this last year terrorizing Queens students. (It is the) Best Holiday ever!”

Post a Comment

#44	Brian Yates May 3 at 3:56pm Your doing great man! Keep up the good work. Impressive race at the Payton Jordan Invite. I think you will go along way, and can't wait to see you break the 13:22. reply
#43	Erich Yanoschik April 15 at 5:45pm Haha Best of luck to you Crouch! Hope all goes well, Keep the faith. Keep reaching for those dreams and aspirations, you'll get there. reply
#42	Charlotte7ofo April 14 at 10:21am Sick man, straight nasty.....so funny that the best runners in Charlotte go to Queens, a small D2 school, while UNCC (5 miles away) just completely blows ass in distance, im talking about runnin D3 times with a bunch of money to give out, they are absolutely pathetic compared to queens, never seen you run man but keep up the great work! reply
#41	Interesting April 13 at 5:52pm I personally like to glorify god by using all the drugs, alcohol, and weapons he blessed the earth with reply
#40	Stefo The Runner April 8 at 10:58pm yeah I'm the one really pulling the pranks here lol. And to "Jeez" who are you to be talking like that about Crouch?! I think you're scared man, why don't u come here and prove yourself! Whatever the guy's doing seems to work. So let him believe in whatever he wants to. reply
#39	Crazy April 8 at 9:57pm Fair enough man. Im really excited to see what you can do this year and in future seasons. At the rate your improving, the sky is truly the limit. Keep grinding out the workouts brotha! reply
#38	Michael Crouch April 8 at 9:30pm I felt that I did run sub par for my race and it was my first outdoor race in two years so I was a little nervous and it may have worked against me. But I feel the main reason is that I was having a little trouble with my running the week of Stanford. I wasnt mentally there as much as I usually am. But I feel that I have recovered from that little bump in the road and will be ready to race in my next 5k. You must also remember that I am still new to running these paces for the 5k. I have never averaged under 4:30 for a 5k let alone 4:24 before this track season. This is all new to me and Im still working on gaining experience. reply
#37	Crazy April 8 at 9:11pm I mean this as respectfully as possible but how did you only manage a 13:46 after that workout? As the other poster said it should put at significantly faster shape... ie sub 13:20 at the very least. reply
#36	Michael Crouch April 8 at 5:55pm Nope 25x400 straight, no break ups. 62.57 for the average of all 25. I had 3 hammers on #17,21 and 25. I went 57.x,56.x and 58.x. Although I can do this workout, I am still working on a better base. I only ran about 30 miles a week in high school. In 2007 I averaged about 45 miles a week for the calender year and in 2008 about 60 a week. So there are still some components that need work. reply
#35	WOW April 8 at 2:55pm So you did 25x400 in 62s on 2min intervals with hammer intervals? Were the reps broken up at all... ie 5x5x400m? Im not doubting you, its just this workout would put you at like 13:10 shape. reply
#34	Ignore April 8 at 2:36pm there are some people who get off by saying things to stir the pot. i like to ignore those people! great article enjoyed it! good luck this outdoor season. reply
#33	Michael Crouch April 8 at 12:28pm If I can not dream then why run? Should I make my goals based on what another athletes thoughts on me are? Is it even right to make an assumption of someone when they have no idea what their background is? Should a religious person leave God out of what they love because one person doesnt think it is right? I think the way a lot of people run is for the wrong reasons. But am I to tell them my way is the only way? No, I am just shedding light on a different path. That is all. reply
#32	Jeez April 8 at 12:22pm another lame athlete with unrealistic goals and praising God. Dude, shut your mouth and just run, leave religion out of athletics. reply
#31	Interesting April 8 at 11:44am If you can thank God for being able to run then what should people born with no legs do? Hate god? does he like you more than them? If there is a god, he doesn't give a about track and field or football or basketball or any sport. lets get religion out of atheltics reply
#30	D2 April 8 at 9:50am Awesome article on a great D2 rep--congrats Crouch and best of luck in everything to come!!! reply
#29	Michael Crouch April 8 at 8:43am Ha thats a good one :) reply
#28	One Who Has Sinned April 8 at 8:39am mike crouch the messiah who has come to share his divine experiences with god to convert the heathons. reply
#27	Anonymous Coward April 8 at 2:09am I am proud of u doesnt surprise me one bit to c an article about u on this stupid thing, i always believed in u you havent changed one bit mr. michael crazy fast pants reply
#26	Sheepers McSheep April 7 at 11:10pm Ummm...Mike, I think you forgot about me. :( reply
#25	Anonymous Coward April 7 at 10:56pm i admire your love for god!! John 3:16 reply
#24	Casey Evans April 7 at 10:29pm good interview mikey.... and Sara Ouellet says she is proud of you! reply
#23	Scott Bauhs April 7 at 7:53pm Oh and you mentioning God in your interviews in no way takes away from the "Purity of the Sport" or whatever. If all you care about is the "raw and immediate impact of an athlete" then just watch the race and don't worry about the post race interview or that person's personality. reply
#22	Scott Bauhs April 7 at 7:35pm Good luck with that record, two years.. no problem. Just don't go out there and run 27:40. See you in Eugene man! reply
#21	No Way April 7 at 6:37pm good luck with record, but aish was a stud and im a kiwi too so I think he will keep a hold of it, you pretty much have to be rupp to break it reply
#20	Michael Crouch April 7 at 6:03pm I also believe that I have been put into this position to be able to share God with fellow runners. I will always use these opportunities to share the experiences I have with God through my running. reply
#19	Michael Crouch April 7 at 5:58pm I do the 400's on a 2 minute interval which means If I run a 62 I get 58 seconds rest. And with the whole glorifying God thing with my running. If you are a religious person you believe a creater put you on earth. If someone created me with these talents why would I not thank him for being able to run fast. A year ago I could barely run. I prayed and I prayed to get better. Now I am here running the best I can without any problems. If I have a bad workout or race I can still step back and thank God for allowing me to be able to run right now. Like someone already said "Everyone has their own reasons for running." Mine may be different from yours but it does not make it a wrong reason to run. reply
#18	5k Runner April 7 at 5:48pm Its awesome to hear how outspoken you are about glorifying God. I believe that as well and its great to hear other Christian runners speak about it in interviews. keep doing your thing and Good Luck with the remainder of your season! reply
#17	Question For Mike... April 7 at 5:25pm How much recovery between the 400s. 62s are sick regardless but if this was done like regular 10000m workouts you be in at least sub 27:00 shape right now... reply
#16	Scott Spitz April 7 at 4:38pm word andrew. reply
#15	Anonymous Coward April 7 at 4:37pm Everyone has their own reasons for running. Just because they may be different than yours does not mean he is running for the wrong reasons. Respect yo. reply
#14	Andrew Utas April 7 at 4:08pm Positivity is running because you want to compete with the person in the lane next to you. Positivity is running to test your mettle and to prove your own strength and vitality. Mixing running with nationalist or theological ideology only takes away from its purity as a sport. It removes focus from the raw and immediate accomplishment of the athlete and replaces that with problematic and easily contestable abstractions. There are no 'haters' here, only those who want to push the positive aspects of running that we can all share without the inclusion of potentially divisive personal religious agendas. reply
#13	asanchez April 7 at 3:44pm Let me tell you, there will always be haters with negative comments... but you're focused Mike and ..you're still crazy dude. Good luck. reply
#12	Andrew Utas April 7 at 2:54pm Yay! Another religious fanatic. This is just what the sport of running needs. reply
#11	Dc April 7 at 2:50pm I saw Crouch at the DII indoor nats in Houston, this dude is sick. Can't wait to see what he can do in the years to come. reply
#10	Xcboi April 7 at 1:02pm 25x400 at 62 is nasty. thats so awesome reply
#9	Michael Crouch April 7 at 12:00pm Thanks Jessica!!!! lol reply
#8	Jessica Sandoval April 7 at 11:07am haha you would do something like terrorize people during halloween...good interview, and i def think you can get that record! reply
#7	Anonymous Coward April 7 at 10:46am Redshirt Soph. Junior aged. reply
#6	Arm Warmers April 7 at 10:24am so is he a true soph or redshirt sopre? reply
#5	GRunner April 7 at 9:49am Nice prank!!! Crap in the hallway!!! ahahah!!! reply
#4	10K April 7 at 8:34am I saw him run the Indoor National in Houston. I love this kid, i might just transfer to Queens and run XC. Good interview cara reply
#3	Anonymous Coward April 7 at 8:32am two pretty famous coaches in this guy's life. steve scott to scott simmons. reply
#2	David Flynn April 7 at 7:21am Really good interview some crazy workouts reply
#1	Andrew April 7 at 7:14am Way to go Mike, always know you have supporters from old teammates as well! reply