Oct 28, 2007
James Lander - Brooks Views- 386

James Lander ran for West Virginia University. After graduating, James eventually made his way to train with the Hanson/Brooks distance running group. After just missing the Olympic Trials last time around, James stuck with it. James later moved out to the west coast to continue training and pursuing other interests. He ended up running 2:18.25 to meet the "A" standard. Read on to find out more about James.


RM: How excited are you for the Olympic Marathon Trials and why? Do you look at the Trials as just another marathon? What do they mean to you?

JL: As I finished my last collegiate track season, I was left with a feeling not so much of disappointment but rather that I just wasn’t done yet. I had no idea where such a notion would take me and now nearly 6 years later I find myself preparing for a race with the best guys in the country. It’s not a pinch me moment for I’m not one for egos or black and white comparisons, however it is certainly encouraging when reflecting on where I’ve come from. I was a non-scholarship athlete in college, missing the last Olympic trials 3 times by less than a minute, pulling the plug on group training in Michigan and set out to pursue other aspects of life. It’s almost eerie to see where God has taken me. From putting special people in my life, to a great feeling of direction and satisfaction in the pursuit of a Chiropractic degree…and after moving on with my life to win a marathon and now to be meeting that OT goal that was set so long ago… It’s awesome because sometimes we discount what is really planned out for our lives, we get complacent, we get impatient, we are taught that to thrive you must give in to self-gratification. Everybody wants something and they want it now. The truth is, I would have never planned out a journey like this in order to be racing in the Olympic Trials, but at the same time, I wouldn’t change a thing. So, am I excited? Absolutely! I feel resurrected because by giving it to God and moving on with my life, I was graciously given back exactly what I had given up.


RM: What were you training for at the time of the last marathon trials (Feb 04') and did you see yourself toeing the line of the marathon trials 4 years down the road?

JL: Last time around I was coming off my 3rd failed attempt at qualifying. Instead of the trials, I was running the ½ in Birmingham that same weekend. It was certainly a disappointment but I’ve felt nothing but support from Brooks even now that I’ve moved to California. At the time, I certainly expected to be toeing the line this time around however there is something about long-term goals, although you may feel confident about obtaining that goal, there is always uncertainty about how you may actually get there.

RM: What is your biggest advantage to doing well going into the Trials and why?

JL: The marathon is such a test. Although I have done every workout over the past year on my own, I would say I am more prepared than ever before. There is something about training solo. Certainly having a group around you will push you, encourage you and drag you along, but training solo means you have only yourself to answer to. You have to build a base of mental toughness so that when tough times come along, you can endure and press on. Thus, I feel my greatest advantage is faith in how I’ve prepared and the journey I’ve been on in getting here.

RM: What would it take to make you walk away from the Trials disappointed and why? What would it take to allow you to walk away content from the Trials and why?

JL: Disappointment for a distance runner is tough. Any distance runner knows it. Certainly not running one’s best is a recipe for disappointment, as is falling shy of an unobtainable goal. As for me, I feel if I go out and race as planned, enjoy and embrace the moment and race from the heart, disappointment is not even a possibility.

RM: What are your thoughts on the level of competition that is going to be toeing the line for the Trials?

JL: There is no doubt in my mind that this will be the deepest, strongest American field assembled in the USOT marathon to date. That being said, I can’t wait!