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St. Louis Track Club Men's Elite Mile DEREK SCOTT
1.Derek, it seems like you are off to a great start in 2009 with a 5k PR at the early Stanford meet and then a solid 3:42 1500 at Indiana on May 8 th . Are you happy with how things have gone and what about your training with Coach Chapman and Team Indiana Elite has you guys running so well? This has been an unbelievable year for me. Since the fall I have been training more and better than I ever have. I ran a 3k personal best indoor, as well as an indoor mile best. I then dropped 37 seconds off my 5k pr running 13:47 at Stanford. The group I train with has made such a significant difference. My eyes were opened to what was possible in running watching what the guys were doing and trusting in Chapman's training program has got me to that next level. Last year, being my first year as a post collegiate runner, was a tough, humbling experience. I worked though some setback's dealing with injury, working with a new coach, new location and a different training program than I was used to. Going into my second year out of college, I felt that if I could start from scratch with the program in Indiana things would start clicking. I was able to increase mileage more than double than what I had done in the past, workouts were going well with the team and I was just more experienced and ready to train at a higher level. Now everything is great and I'm accomplishing what I set out do. My biggest goal of the year is to the break 4 minutes in the mile. It may even be my most important goal in my career. I've run 4:00.2, which makes me mad and laugh at the same time. I don't want to end being that close. I'm to the point where I would feel content moving on to do something else if I finally break that barrier. However, as important as it is, I know that a time is not something that will define who I am. I know I've been blessed enough with running and am thankful for that. My relationship with Jesus Christ is most important to me. This may be my only shot at running a mile this year, so I'm really hoping it goes well, we raise a lot of money, break 4 minutes, and I would like to win! I had a great experience last year. The purpose of the event hit right at home for me. Right after I graduated from Cornerstone University there was a tragic car accident involving two girls from our track team. One sadly passed away, while the other was critically injured. With enough rehab and prayer she now competes again on the team. With Brigette's story being so similar it was a great opportunity to use my running to help raise money for that cause. The timing of the race also fits great into the season, it's a chance to break 4 minutes, and I'll probably ride up the arch again. That was fun last year even though I'm not much for heights. Hopefully there will be some runners from Cornerstone University there cheering me on since they have their national meet in St. Louis the same weekend. I don't want to just give a politically correct answer, but honestly the race is really up for grabs. You got Ben Rosario who is the hometown hero, Tommy Schmitz has run the fastest time of the year, Jordan Fife beat Tommy in a mile a week ago, Adam Perkins has the fastest 1500 in the field, and not to count myself out, I'm super fit and am primed and ready to roll. I do predict a sub 4 mile will happen, with 4 guys in the hunt for the win with a 100m to go. I'm rooting for myself and teammate Jordan Fife to go 1-2. Watch Derek and his teammates run a workout on Flotrack ***
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West County |
