Questions with One of Kentucky's Best: St. Xavier/Villanova Grad Bobby Curtis

Bobby Curtis, a graduate of St. Xavier High School and Villanova University was the 2008 NCAA Division I Champion at 5000 Meters with a winning time of 13:33.93. He went on to run the 5000m at the 2008 United States Olympic Team Trials finishing 6^th overall. He recently returned from a trip to Europe where he ran a personal best time of 13:25.66 at the KBC Night of Athletics Meet in Heusden, Belgium. While he was in high school he was a 14-time Kentucky State Champion (800m-5000m) including running All-time Kentucky High School #1 times in the 1600m (4:08.29), 1 Mile (4:07.06), and 3200m (8:48.39)

KY: What was your favorite running event when you were in high school?
BC: That's a hard question. If I had to pick just one race I would say it was the 3200 my senior year. I was super tired from the 4x8, 1600 and 800. Going into the 2nd mile of the race I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to pull it off, but everything turned out fine.

KY: When you were in high school, which did you like better XC or track?
BC: Cross Country

KY: What was your favorite cross country course when you were in high school?
BC: I always liked running Tiger Run at Seneca Park. I guess I'd be a bit bias towards that meet because it was a Saint X meet; however from an objective standpoint I think most runners and fans would agree that it was the best cross country meet in the state.

KY: What is your favorite workout?
BC: I feel the most fit when I'm doing long tempos. If I can do 6 to 8 miles on the dirt at near 5 minutes a mile I know I'm ready to go. I also enjoy threshold miles on the grass off about 45 secs to a minute.

KY: What kind of mileage do you put in on average weekly?
BC: It varies I'd say when I'm not racing I try for 80ish and when I am racing around 65. That'll be increasing a bit this year.

KY: How did the years at Villanova help prepare you to win a NCAA title?
BC: I learned a lot about training and managing my emmotions from Marcus O'Sullivan. I think I've found that I do best with higher volume and that I don't need much trackwork to be able to run fast. It's almost like I've been training like a cross country runner for all 3 seasons. As far as the mental aspect is concerned, I've learned that running at the highest level involves having mental strength complement the physical training you've done. If that harmony isn't there you simply can't perform your best.

KY: How did it feel to win the 5K at the 2008 NCAA Division I Championship?
BC: It was great. Knowing it was my last college race I was pretty stressed beforehand, but once I got settled in the race I was fine. With 2 laps to go I was tired, but knew I had a little more left. Then with 400 to go the thought of winning the race gave me the extra energy I needed to close the race.

KY: What were your expectations at the U.S. Olympic Trials?
BC: I thought I was capable on my best day of maybe pulling off getting the A standard and top three in the same race; however, I knew that was somewhat unlikley, so I was in Oregon just to run hard and place as highly as I could.

KY: What did you think of your race overall at the Olympic Trialsl?
BC: It was average, the top guys put like 6-7 seconds on me in the last 1000 meters, which is no good...I certainly think I'm better than that, but all things considered 6th was okay.

KY: What do you think about becoming the fastest KY 5000m runner ever with your 13:25 in Belgium surpassing Jim Sapienza (Trinity/Darmouth) 13:30.79?
BC: I wasn't aware of that stat, but that's pretty cool. Thomas Morgan (Lexington Catholic/University of Kentucky) also ran very well in Belgium with a 13:27. I think I can run much faster than 13:25 and I'm sure Thomas thinks he can improve on 13:27. The track in Belgium is unreal so hopefully we'll both get to go back next year.

KY: What has been the best part of your trip across Europe?
BC: So far I've been most impressed with the selection of pants in Europe. You can get 30X34 in many styles and colors no problem. I stayed in suburb of London called Teddington. It was a nice little city with a bunch of parks, and shops. I really liked Belgium, it wasn't as crowded as London, but the language barrier was a slight problem. I didn't get to site see at all, but I was only over for 3 weeks, I'm sure next year I'll stay a bit longer and have more time for that stuff.

KY: What do you plan to focus on this fall?
BC: My main focus in the fall will be to get in a lot of miles and try to increase my strength. Currently the plan is go to Falls Creek in Australia and train there for about 6 weeks with some people in my group, while I'm there I'll most likely try to do a fast 10k on the track.

KY: Any last words for the current high school runners and coaches?
BC: Coaches: Make sure your athlete's experience is balanced. If you're not having a bit of fun there's really no point. Also, try to educate yourself and your athletes as much as you can about our sport.

Athletes: Enjoy running and being a part of a team. Of course, always try your best.