Friday Focus: Matthew Maton

Matthew Maton (R) and Mac Fleet react after the high school senior became the sixth prep in history to break four minutes in the mile with 3:59.38.

Matthew Maton (R) and Mac Fleet react after the high school senior became the sixth prep in history to break four minutes in the mile with 3:59.38. The Summit High School senior has not raced since that May 8 race due to nagging Achilles soreness, but he will finally make another reappearance this weekend at the USATF Junior National Championships. Originally entered in both the 1500m and 5k, the future Duck tells us he opted to focus solely on the 5k for his final high school race. We ask him about his training schedule, his pick for a sub-four in the Class of 2016 and his fast girlfriend, Nike pro Alexa Efraimson.

Matthew Maton by the Numbers:

Oregon State Titles: 6

Mile PR: 3:59.38

800 PR: 1:51

2 Mile PR: 9:03

5k PR: 15:54

You are entered in both the 1500m and 5k this weekend at the USATF Junior Championship after taking more than a month off from racing, due to a sore Achilles. Can you describe the recovery process? How would you evaluate your fitness level right now?

I've decided just to run the 5k this weekend and put all effort into one event. It's been a long process coming back and I'm really excited to race once again. I would consider myself in very good shape right now but not as sharp as I used to be and that's why I'm in the 5k.

What do you hope to achieve in your final high school race?

I think I'll for sure get a PR in this last high school race considering my current 5k pr is from freshman year.

Your last race was, in fact, a sub-four minute mile. How has that race changed your view of yourself as a runner?

The sub 4 changed my view of myself as a runner because that was the only thing I've ever wanted to do with high school running. It just showed me with hard work anything is possible.

Has it changed your life at all? Do people at school know about it?

People at school for sure know about it and are very supportive of it.

Matthew Maton did a Skype interview with Jimmy of MileSplit about his sub-four minute mile and his super-fast girlfriend - Nike professional Alexa Efraimson.

Also racing at Juniors this weekend in the 1500m is Grant Fisher, who also ran 3:59.38 for the mile to tie you for third-fastest prep runner in history. What was your reaction when he ran the exact same time? How do you think you and Grant have changed the landscape of high school track and field? With two high schoolers under 4 minutes for the first time, do you think a sub-four will have the same mystique?

I was really excited for Grant when he broke 4. I knew he was the guy everybody expected to break 4 this year and glad he got it done. It was pretty crazy that he ended up running the exact same time as me. And I think the sub 4 mile will always be special no matter how many guys do it.

Who is your pick from the Class of 2016 to break four minutes next year?

My top pick for someone to break 4 next year would be Drew Hunter.

Describe a typical week of training. The more details, the better!

Monday- 35min morning run / 45-50min afternoon

Tuesday- 40min morning run / 8x1k afternoon workout

Wednesday- 10mile run

Thursday- 40min morning run / 45 afternoon

Friday- 30min morning run

600 400 300 x2

Saturday- 50min run

Sunday- 90min long run

How many miles a week do you typically run? How does your weekly mileage differ during track vs. XC season?

My mileage is typically around 70-80 and I try to stay at the higher end of that for cross country.

What is the hardest workout you've ever done?

10 mile morning run then 4x1mile at 5k pace on the grass

What is your parents' athletic background and how have they influenced your athletic career?

My mom grew up running in South Africa and ended up winning NCAA in XC, my dad was the NCAA 800m champ, too. They have just influenced me to work hard.

Matthew Maton won the Brooks PR Invitational Mile last year.

Matthew Maton won the Brooks PR Invitational Mile last year.

What is your own athletic background? What other sports did you play growing up and when/why did you start running?

I used to play baseball before I ran and started running because the length of baseball practice was too long and still wanted to do a sport of some sort

You and Alexa Efraimson have got to be considered one of the all-time fastest high school distance couples. How did you first meet and do you go on runs together?

We usually meet up a couple times a week for easy runs. And don't quite remember how we met in the first place.

After your events are over, what race are you most excited to watch on Sunday?

I'm excited for the men's 5k on Sunday.

You are competing for the University of Oregon next year. What other schools were you considering and how did you make your decision?

I was considering mainly 3 schools during the process which was Oregon, Colorado and University of Montana and my decision was made because I wanted to stay closer to home.

Matthew Maton's first race since his sub-four will also be at the site of his sub-four - Hayward Field, his future home as an Oregon Duck.

Matthew Maton's first race since his sub-four will also be at the site of his sub-four - Hayward Field, his future home as an Oregon Duck.

Describe your hometown. What is your favorite place to run and why does Oregon produce such great high school runners?

Bend, Oregon is a very outdoorsy place with lots of trails and fun outdoors stuff to do. I think Oregon produces great runners because there's a lot of people who care about the sport here.

What is your most embarrassing running-related moment?

My most embarrassing moment would be running by someone on the trail and tapping them on the shoulder thinking it was one of my buddies and it ends up being a complete stranger.

What was your childhood dream?

My childhood dream was to break 4mins in the mile in high school.

What is one thing that most people may not know about you?

Most people don't know I have a chicken named Patricia.

Describe a perfect day in the life of Matthew Maton.

My perfect day would be just some sort of rest day where I could just hang out with friends and family

FUN STUFF!

Favorite movie: Legends of the Fall

Favorite book: Into the Wild

Pre race song: Money Tree's

Guilty pleasure: netflix

If you could workout with any athlete from any sport, who would it be? I would workout with Craig Mottram as he's my favorite athlete.