Feb 28, 2008
Jacob Frey - AT&T Austin Marathon Champion Views- 1857

Jacob recently had quite the string of marathons over the past 1/2 year running in the PanAmerican Games, the Olympic Trials and a few weeks ago - The AT&T Austin Marathon. At the Austin Marathon, Jacob was able to capture his first marathon victory and help secure the Team USA victory over the other countries participating in the International Challenge. In addition to his running successes, Jacob is also moving his way through law school. Read on to find out more about Jacob and his recent happenings.

RM: What made you decide to run the marathon in Austin just a few months after the Olympic Trials? How was your training leading up to the race?

JF: First and foremost, it was another chance to run for the USA, as Austin had the international team challenge against Kenya, Canada, Malawi, and Great Britain. There's always an extra tingle when you line up to compete against other nations. And secondly, the race fell early in the semester so I now have time to really hit the books. As far as the training went... it was rushed. I finished my last exam on December 19th at noon, and by one I had downed 2 beers, and was 3 miles into my Austin prep. I really didn't have any workouts I could hang my hat on, but I ran some good mileage between 130 and 155 up until a couple weeks before the race.

RM: What are your long term running goals? What is next for you on the running side of things?

JF: This last half year has been awesome... running for the US at the PanAm games, racing the Olympic Trials, and last weekend kicking to win my first marathon in Austin. To be completely honest, I'm really more excited about the future of American distance running in general right now than I am about my own long term goals. We could not be sending a more promising or deserving team to Beijing. I really look at this whole resurgence as a collective American effort, and while I'm certainly not the country's Olympic hope, I like to think I had a positive effect on guys that are. Oh Hiya Sell! As for me though I'm thinking Id like to run NYC this fall.

RM: How do you balance Law School and running? Looking back, did you think you would be able to manage it as well as you appear to be?

JF: Its surprising how much they correlate in that they both involve a tremendous amount of convincing. In litigation the goal is to convince the judge or jury that you have the strongest case. In marathoning, you spend the first half of the race convincing yourself that you cant do what your body thinks it can, and you spend the second half convincing yourself that you can do what your body thinks it cant. As far as balancing the two, the main this is you've gotta give full commitment to the task at hand. I see guys who spend loads of time in the library but they are surfing the internet or taking cigarette breaks every 20 minutes. Its amazing how much you can get done if you attack work, be it running or law, with some enthusiasm.

RM: What advice do you offer out to someone looking to attend grad school/law school/med school and still train at a high level? Is there something that you think that person needs to have to make it work?

JF: Its probably different for everyone, but for me it has definitely been a girlfriend that puts it all in perspective, and keeps things light. I remember coming home one day this fall ranting "I barely made it through my run this morning, I don't understand the Commerce Clause, my appellate brief is due next week, I ran between classes and couldn't shower, and I'm on call tomorrow in employment law." Michelle just said "Jacob, take a damn shower...you stink." Honestly, that was the best advice she could have given.

RM: Where do you see yourself after Law School? What type of avenue do you want to take with your Law Degree?

JF: While I don't know precisely what type of law I want to practice, I do know that I want to be heavily involved in the community, and I want to have a positive impact. I have some lofty goals, and like running I know that achieving them is not going to be easy. This summer I'm working at an extremely forward thinking firm in Minneapolis called Faegre and Benson. If I am extended an offer following the summer I will definitely take it.