ON THE ROAD TO SACRAMENTO

WITH JULI HENNER

July 5, 2000

Welcome to another installment of On The Road To Sacramento where we are interviewing America's top athletes as they prepare for their shot to represent the Stars and Stripes in Sydney. Today's interview is the sixth in a series of interviews in conjunction with runwiththebuffs.com, and it is with US 1500 meter runner Juli Henner.

A 1992 graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Henner had modest collegiate p.r.'s of 4:20 for 1500 meters and 2:08 for 800 meters, but blossomed after graduation. In 1996, Henner made the US Olympic team at 1500 meters by placing second at the US Trials. Unfortunately, she injured herself prior to the Olympics and finished 10th in her heat at the Games in 4:27, whereas prior to her injury she was thinking she was in 4:01 shape.

After the Atlanta Olympics, Henner enjoyed a successful 1997 season but struggled in much of 1998 and 1999. In 2000, she seems to be regaining her top form and should be a threat to make her second straight Olympic Team in Sacramento. Earlier today, she discussed her feelings about the upcoming Olympic Trials with LetsRun.com.

Q and A With Juli Henner
(July 5, 2000)

LETSRUN.COM: Julie, making the Olympics is often the ultimate goal for many runners in the US, and in 1996 you made the US Olympic Team in the 1500 meters. We're wondering what's it like to actually accomplish one of the ultimate goals in the sport?

JULI: That's kind of an interesting question especially because of my situation. I've kind of struggled a bit during the last four years with my running (mainly in 1998 and 1999), and thus looking back, I wish I had enjoyed making the team a bit more.

At the time, my first thought when after crossing that line was, "What am I going to do to get in better shape for the Games? " Unfortunately, I ended up getting injured and didn't get to run as well as would have liked (at the Olympics). Looking back I wish I had enjoyed it more, but the whole experience left me hungry.

LETSRUN.COM: As you mentioned, your performances seemed to decline for a while after 1996 before you've started to turn things around recently. We're wondering if the reason for your struggles may have been that you found it hard to find a goal to shoot for since you'd already made the team - a sort of what do I do know that I've accomplished my #1 goal?

JULI: No not at all. My best year running to date came after the Olympics - in 1997. I struggled a lot in '98 and '99. There were a lot of reasons behind my poor performance - coaching changes, personal problems, and some health problems. Lack of motivation never was a problem. If anything, having too much hunger was the cause of some problems.

LETSRUN.COM: Can you talk a little bit about your how your coaching has evolved over the years? We know you were coached by your current husband Pat in college at JMU and your first few years out, but now are a member of the Reebok Enclave which is under the guidance of Frank Gagliano.

JULI: I've been a member of the Enclave since it started in 1994. However, up until 1998, I was a satellite member (and spent most of my time in Harrisonburg, VA not in Washington, DC where the Enclave is based). However, at the end of 1997, I decided I needed a change. I'd heard so many things about Gags (Frank Gagliano) and he became primarily responsible for my training starting in January 1998.

LETSRUN.COM: 1998? That's when you started to struggle with your running. Was the coaching change responsible for your decline in performance?

JULI: No coaching wasn't the problem, but it was a difficult change to make. In Harrisonburg, I had 12-15 guys (from the JMU men's team) to workout with with. I moved up to DC and did half of my training on my own. That was a big change. It definitely was a learning experience for both Gags and myself.

Now they both (Gags and my husband Pat) are coaching me this year. That's been the best recipe of all. I get the best of both worlds.

LETSRUN.COM: Coming into the 2000 Trials, do you approach things differently considering that you made the team in 1996?

JULI: No not at all, I'm as intense as I was in 1996. I don't think I have quite the confidence that I did then so it's just different. In '96, I almost expected to make the Team. Now I have a little bit more fear, a little less confidence, but this all has been improving the last several weeks as things have been going pretty well.

I'm really excited about the Trials because during the last couple years I've been pretty much counted out by my competitors. Also I think that in Olympic years, people tend to do get a little excited and do things a little too early in the year. I think those who get things going later in the year tend to do the best, and that's exactly what I've done so I'm very excited about competing in the Trials.

(Editor's Note: On July 1st at the Maine Distance Classic, Henner placed second in the 1500m in 4:15.44 in a race that started off slow and tactical - 2:20 for first 800 meters.)

LETSRUN.COM: The US women's 1500 meters has three of the biggest names in women's track and field in Regina Jacobs, Suzy Favor Hamilton, and Marla Runyan. Regina and Suzy are proven performers and many observers are claiming that they are locks to make the team and everyone else is battling with Runyan for the third spot. Is this how you view things? If not, how do you see the race breaking down?

JULI: On paper, that's exactly how it appears but I've seen so many crazy things happen at the US Olympic Trials - whether it be the marathon trials or the track trials - that you never now what's going to happen. You can only control what you do so I try no to sorry about the other competitors. I just try to focus on myself as much as I can.

Suzy and Regina are running incredible times, but I just use that as motivation to get me going.

LETSRUN.COM: Do you have a preference for a slow, tactical race or a more honest pace?

JULI: I don't really care. I do like the sit and kick races - I like having to jostle for position, but because of my strength, I'm prepared to run either way.

LETSRUN.COM: Can you tell us a little about your training in general? What do you view do as the keys to your success?

JULI: I'm very much a strength trainer. Once I get really strong, my speed shows up more. If I don't have a good base behind me and a few good 5k workouts behind me, I don't have any speed. I view the 1500 as being a race where virtually the entire field can get to 1200 together so basically it's a race over the final 300 meters, and I think the strongest athlete will be able to finish the last 300 the fastest.

I think I average about 65 miles a week, but I don't really know as I don't keep a detailed log. I use my recovery days to recover. I normally have one fairly long run in there. My total workout volume is higher than most middle distance runners.

LETSRUN.COM: Do you have any plans for after 2000? Do you think you'll keep it up for another 4 years?

JULI: I'm definitely going to compete through 2001. After that, I'll play it by ear. If I had had a lot of success the last couple of years, I may have been willing to finish things up after this year. Since I've struggled a bit, I'm hungry and want this year and next year to be my best years ever and then I'll play it by ear.

LETSRUN.COM: Julie, many thanks and best of luck in Sacramento. We'll see you out there.

Click here to see what Juli has to say about her high school and college careers.

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