Birmingham, AL - RunMichigan was able to talk with Bob Busquaert the 1992 MHSAA Class B Individual Cross Country State Champion from Lakeview High School. The Romeo resident is a member of the Hansons-Brooks ODP team and one of ten Hansons-Brooks team members to qualify for Men's Marathon trials. Bob ran 2:20:20 at the 2003 Grandma's Marathon to qualify for the trials. He will try an earn a spot on the 2004 U.S. Marathon Olympic team on Feb 7th.
RunMichigan: How did it feel to qualify for the Olympic Trials at the 2003 Grandma's Marathon?
Bob: I felt that going into Grandma's that I was in the best shape of my life. I actually ran conservative in the early parts of the race, and let my training take me through the later miles of the marathon. I was really excited to hit the qualifying time, but thought I was going to hit the A standard with 10k to go, but came up 20 seconds short.
RunMichigan: Congratulations on your finish at the Houston Half-Marathon. What was the goal for the Houston Half-Marathon?
Bob: The goal for the Houston Half-Marathon was to simulate the first half of the Olympic trials marathon. This was fairly difficult because the week leading into the half marathon was a high mileage week (120) with 2 workouts and a 16 miler the Friday before. Hitting just over 1:09 doesn't seem very fast, but should feel easier being rested come the Olympic trials.
RunMichigan: Since you went to school at the University of Alabama, Birmingham how well do you know the Olympic Trials Marathon course and how will you use that knowledge to help on race day?
Bob: Truthfully, we really didn't do much running downtown, but rather chose to do much of our running on the southside-5 points area. A few road races would utilize the downtown area, but I wouldn't necessarily say that I have any kind of advantage. If I have any advantage it would be the fact that more people along the race course will recognize me and maybe more people will be cheering me on.
RunMichigan: What is your goal for the Olympic Trials Marathon race?
Bob: I would like to run sub 2:19 and place in the top 25.
RunMichigan: What has helped in improving your times since you joined the Hansons-Brooks ODP?
Bob: Running with the group and the longer marathon workouts. I find that anytime I run with the guys it's a faster run than if I had run on my own.
RunMichigan: What type of training have you been doing over the last two months to prepare for the trials race on Feb 7th?
Bob: High mileage weeks over 110, workouts every Tuesday and Thursday (intervals ranging from 1 to 6 miles at Stony Creek or the occasional 800's or 1200's on the track) and a 20-22 mile long run on Sundays.
RunMichigan: What is your favorite workout and why?
Bob: Any workout with the temperature above 40 and the wind below 10 mph. Really though, I like the 2 x 6 mile at Stony Creek. I think this workout really tells you what shape you are in and gives you a lot of confidence, because it is usually run with 3 to 4 weeks out from the marathon.
RunMichigan: Where is your favorite place to run in Michigan? And what do you like most about growing up in Michigan?
Bob: I like running on the Paint Creek Trail (Rochester, MI) and the dirt roads just outside of Romeo, Michigan. Growing up, I liked the fact that I didn't have to go more than 3 miles to find a bowling alley or an arcade.
RunMichigan: What is your favorite restaurant in Birmingham, AL and why?
Bob: Lunch at Oak Hill Bar and Grill in downtown Homewood. The best sandwiches and fries.
RunMichigan: Any must see places in Birmingham, AL?
Bob: I am really impressed with the McWayne Science Center in downtown Birmingham. Lots of fun for kids and adults, especially that ongoing ball maze. I can stare at that forever.
