When, Where, and who got you started in running?
Chris - I started running when I was 10 years old. Some of our friends from church were running in the Knoxville track club youth development program. I ran with the Knoxville track club until this past winter because of my age. I would not be where I am today with out those coaches helping me reach my potential.
Who influenced or had the biggest impact on your career?
Chris - Without a doubt Marty Sonnenfeldt is my biggest influence in running. I could write a novel on all he has done for me during my career. He has helped me keep focused on the tasks ahead and always made sure I was prepared to race. Ever since I started in the KTC program that he was director of, he has always had a helpful hand in helping me improve to where I am today. The things I have learned from him are invaluable and will have an influence on how I run and hopefully coach in the future.
What is has been your favorite experience in track?
Chris - Actually my favorite experience did not involve racing. I had the opportunity to help coach the Karns Elementary Cross country program. I had to have a project for this fall in my Senior Out-of-School Experience class and Marty gave me this opportunity to learn from him during the semester. We actually had to start up the program from the ground up at the school. We had a great turnout and ended up with a very competitive team where our girls' team won the County Championships with our guys' team finishing second. I had to lead all of the mile long races which provided a fun way to help all of the runners among other things. I still see some of those kids and consistently here "Coach Kane" or "Candy Kane" when I see them around. The smiles on their faces during the awards presentation after the race were something that I will not forget.
Does or did anyone else in your family run? If so, where and when?
Chris - My parents were never really into athletics. This is not a slight on them; it's just the paths that they chose. My dad played football in eighth grade then played in his high school and college band. He ran some with his best friend to stay in shape. My mom was a twirler at her high school.
What would you say is the most memorable event you competed in and how would you say you did?
Chris - When I won the cross country regional championships this fall at Victor Ashe Park. Stuart Chandler and I broke away from the pack early and we battled for the entire race. With about 600m to go I passed him up the biggest hill on the course. However, he passed me with about 400m to go. Running over this tiny hump (2ft. high) before the soccer field was the hardest hill I ever ran over. Stuart had about a 20m lead on me when I got on the soccer field. But I kicked past him and won. The feeling of giving my all that day was amazing, it hurt, but I wouldn't trade that day for anything.
Do you have a favorite cross country course?
Chris - Actually my favorite course is a course in Kettering, OH. The AAU national cross country championships were up there. It snowed the day before the meet during warm-ups on the course and was the muddiest course I have ever seen. I ruined my flats and spikes at that meet. The course was crazy with about 300m of dry land because of a pine bark chip trail we ran on. At times the mud was up to your ankles. We had to jump a creek in the 5K course!! But the best part was the last section where 50m of mud made you come to an almost complete stop because you could get any traction. Man the day was a lot of fun though.
How has your training changed from the conclusion of cross country for track?
Chris - It actually hasn't changed that much. During the winter season I just did more track work. My mileage has cut down some but my speed has gotten better.
Can you give us some insight to your training? (I.e. mileage, two a days, cross training, and workout samples)
Chris - I never run two a days during this spring because I have a 7am class and I need my sleep!! My mileage just rises and falls based on the week. If I have two meets that week my mileage decreases. However, I usually always have a long run with a few of my friends on the weekend. This run just allows me to shake my legs out from the previous week. My favorite workout is repeat 400s where I try to run 2 sec. faster each 400. This really helps my ability to speed up and build during a race. However, it is not so hard that I begin peaking too early.
How would you say your training has been going for you and your team?
Chris - We are doing well. Our distance guys are beginning to come around. We have a very young team with about 8 seniors on the guys and girls squads combined. This is promising for the future when the bulk of our talent our freshman and sophomores. We have two sophomores and a freshman on our 4X800 team including myself. We have decent depth throughout our distance team. We hope to have a good season with our middle and long distance runners.
Can you tell us about your injuries this season (if any) and how you maintain focus and motivation during an injury period?
Chris - I have been fortunate not to have many serious injuries this season. I have aches and pains from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. I just deal with it and feel very fortunate that God has allowed me to be injury-free this year.
What events are you looking to focus on this on this season?
Chris - I am focusing on the 3200 because I want to run well against the top runners in the state this year. Most of the top runners will run the two mile so I know that that race is going to be very intense and fast.
Based on your performances in the 2005 track & field season, what are you looking to achieve this season as it progresses?
Chris - A region title in the 3200 would be great. I would also like to be all state again and break my own school record in the 3200 (9:44). This last goal should not be a problem but I want to make that record last for a while.
Do you have a specific pre-meet tradition/ritual, individually or as a team?
Chris - I don't know if I am really superstitious but I like to wear certain socks, but I can't find one sock. I warm up the same way every race. Pray before every race is a must. I also have a little celebratory hand shake with Desi Brown who is one of my teammates. In smaller meets, I tend to crack a joke or say something that makes my other competitors laugh a bit. For instance, at the Big East Challenge April 14th during the mile, I got most of the runners to say "hi" to my mom as she drove next to the track (on the road).
When a race strategy changes from how you planned, how do you react?
Chris - Well I think about different race strategies for big races for weeks before they happen. I am not sure why but it can keep me awake for a couple of hours at night. I have almost every possible situation already thought out before I race. However, if I have a situation that I didn't plan for I just focus on where the leader is and work on getting up with him.
Who would you say is your biggest rival in track and field and how did this rival develop?
Chris - I have several rivalries with none being much bigger than the other. One has to be Eric Grubb because of how long I have raced against him. We are good friends now, but not freshman year (and I'm not sure if he knows this) but I didn't like him at all. I thought he was cocky and self-centered but when I finally really began to know him we became friends. Another rivalry is with Matthew Sonnenfeldt. I have known him and his family for years and we have a really good friendship. Every time we race we always make it close with the winner usually out kicking the other. He is just a freshman so everyone watch out. My last good rival this year has been Stuart Chandler. We also always have exciting races against each other. If he can get enough distance on me during the first half of the race he can win but if I am close near the end I tend to out kick him. All of us our really good friends and talk to each other over the phone or at meets. I go over to Matt's house a lot because we live about a half mile from each other. We run together during the weekends and we just like to hang out. We usually check up on how the other one is doing and wish each other good luck on their meets.
Have you decided on a college? If so where are you going / if not where are you considering?
Chris - Because I haven't signed yet I don't want to say, but I am very close to one school in particular. I like the coach and I like the options for career choices that the school has to offer.
What are you looking to achieve in life and in other areas after college?
Chris - Well I have not decided on a career but I want to do something involved in sports (not necessarily track). Broadcasting, writing for a paper, or marketing a sports team. I also want to do something to give back to this sport. Coaching or running a track program would have to be one of my goals in life.
Do you have a favorite running book or movie?
Chris - My personal favorite book is Running with the Buffaloes and my favorite movie is "PRE" and "Fire on the Track"
What do you see happening with track and field in Tennessee in the future?
Chris - I think the future is in the freshman and sophomore classes right now. You have Jackie Coward who is already a national record holder, Kathy Kroeger who is a beast in cross country. Then you have a rivalry of epic proportions in the mile with some freshman which promises to be race to watch for the next three years. I hope the classes after them will step up and compete on a national level that will make Tennessee a state where people who do not live in this state talk and travel to see our meets because they know that they will see outstanding performances.