RunMichigan: How does it feel to be running in your first Olympic Trials Marathon?

Ryan: I feel fortunate to have an opportunity to possibly represent the US at the 2004 Summer Games. I'm definitely not taking on the attitude of "I'm just happy to be at the Trials." I have the attitude of winning the Olympic Marathon Trials and making the Olympic Team.

RunMichigan: How will you use the success of being the 2003 USA Marathon champion and USA Half-Marathon champion on Feb 7th ?

Ryan: Winning championships racing exudes the confidence of being a champion. Some people choke, or blow up, at major championship events. My previous experiences will help me in maintaining emotional control during the race and upholding my race plan.

RunMichigan: What have you learned from being at theWorld Championships Marathon and how will it help Feb 7th?

Ryan: From the WC Marathon I've learned not to over look the little things prior to competition and never change a routine that has secured your current position.

RunMichigan: Where are you currently training at and how is it helping you prepare for the trials?

Ryan: I am currently training at the Arco Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. Prior to arriving at the OTC, I was doing high altitude training in Mammoth Lakes, CA. The main benefit of training at the OTC is the weather in San Diego. It allows me to get in quality training sessions with little worries of poor weather preventing or handicapping any workout. Also, working with Dr. Joe Vigil throughout various phases of my training provides an unparalleled level of motivation and scientific knowledge imperative to maximizing my potential.

RunMichigan: Since you ran the Olympic Trials course at the 2003 US Championships, what do you think of the course and how will your victory in 2003 help on Feb 7th?

Ryan: The course in Birmingham is relatively flat and posses the potential for fast times. The criterion aspect of the course makes for a spectator friendly atmosphere. Anytime a runner has a good experience on a particular course, his or her attitude going into the race is more positive.

RunMichigan: Have you run any races recently in preparing for the trials, how did you do and what was the goal for these races?

Ryan: I raced the P.F. Chang's Arizona Rock n' Roll 1/2 Marathon Jan.11th. My goal going into the race was to run 64:30 without exerting too much effort. I ran 64:35 and felt great.

RunMichigan: What are you doing over the next two weeks to prepare for the Trials?

Ryan: The last couple weeks will be a tapering phase in preparation for the Trials. Volume will be decreased, as intensity is increased.

RunMichigan: What do you do to relax from running?

Ryan: Read, play guitar, sleep.

RunMichigan: What is your favorite workout and why?

Ryan: My favorite workout to determine my fitness level for the marathon is 4 x 5k with 3min rest. This workout provides me with a pretty accurate idea of my lactate threshold pace. My favorite workout in general is 20 x 400m with a 100m jog recovery. This workout seems long, but goes by quick. Once you start, you do not stop until you are finished. It provides a good sense of tempo without killing yourself. You can also increase the pace toward the end to really build confidence.

RunMichigan: How has your successful career at Notre Dame prepared you for running after college?

Ryan: While at ND I learned how hard one must work in order to reach an elite level of running. I've also learned how to properly manage my time and the sacrifices that must be made in order to be a national champion.

RunMichigan: Who else do you train with as part of the Nike/Team USA California and who coaches you?

Ryan: Team USA CA has a high altitude training camp during the fall in Mammoth Lakes, CA. While living there I have various training partners during any given fall season. Matt Downin and Meb Keflezighi are there every fall. Other training partners come and go year to year. This fall I trained with Deena Kastor, Ibby Aden from Albuquerque, NM, my former teammate from ND Luke Watson, and Abdi Abdirahman. While at the OTC in Chula Vista, I have mostly been training on my own, up until recently. For the past few weeks I have been training with Eddy Helleybucke, Ibby Aden, Meb Keflezighi, Matt Downin and other local San Diego runners who are welcome to join us on runs and workouts. Because each runner has individual goals and have different racing schedules, not all runners are on the same training schedule. So, although distance runs may be done together, not everyone will be doing the same interval workouts or tempo runs.

RunMichigan: Where is your favorite place to run in Michigan and why?

Ryan: My favorite place to run in Michigan is anywhere in Northern Michigan or the U.P. That area of the country is one of the most beautiful I've seen with its many lakes, snowmobile trails, and cross country ski trails to run on. Specifically, one of my favorite places to run is in the Jordan Valley of Northern Michigan. The run is on very soft dirt
trails or dirt roads along the fast moving Jordan River. The color of the leaves in the fall are
gorgeous and there is various wildlife to observe while hammering along the trails. But, best of all, its just a few mile from my home.