Scott Bush

Jun 04, 2008

What a season it's been for California's Christine Babcock. The University of Washington-bound senior ran 10:04.03 for 3200m at the Arcadia Invitational, taking Jordan Hasay to the line and running one of the top ten fastest times ever in the event. However, Babcock really broke onto the national landscape when she ran 4:36.57 for 1600m at her Master Section Championships, one of the fastest times ever run. At the California State Championships this past weekend Babcock ran the fastest 1600m ever with her winning time of 4:33.82, and when converted ranks her as the second fastest miler in prep history. See what Babcock has to say in this exclusive interview, where she talks about her record-breaking race, why she didn't run Foot Locker, and much more.

An Interview with Christine Babcock

MileSplit (MS): Congratulations on your amazing 4:33.82 1600m effort at the California State Championships this past weekend. Take us through that race if you could?

Christine Babcock (CB): I ran a 65 second first lap, came by 800 at 2:16, 1200 at 2:26 and then just pushed it in the last lap. My legs were feeling pretty dead after the third lap but I was expecting that, and I was just hoping that I would have something left for the last lap.

MS: You ran the majority of the race by yourself, winning by nearly sixteen seconds. What were you thinking at the half way point, running alone and running so fast?

CB: At half way I was wishing that I had only one lap left (laughs). Doesn't every distance runner wish that though? I knew that I was going to be running alone so mentally I was prepared for that. The crowd was a big help because they were all on their feet and cheering loudly after the first lap.

MS: With the conversions put in place, you are considered the second fastest miler ever, less than a half second behind Polly Plumer's 4:35.24 set back in 1982. Will you take a shot at the record at any point? Can you get the record?

CB: As of right now, I am not planning on taking a shot at that record. I feel blessed that God has given me the season that I have had so far. I guess since I am not going to try, we will never know if I could get the record.

MS: Where do you go from here?

CB: I do not have any meets on my schedule right now.

MS: Any chance you'll try to run in the Olympic Trials?

CB: That is a possibility. You will have to wait and see in July (laughs).

MS: Earlier this season, at the Arcadia Invitational, you took Jordan Hasay to the line in the 3200m run, running one of the top ten fastest times in U.S. history. What did you learn from that race and how did it help you later on in the season?

CB: That race was a great learning experience for me. I have never been pushed or pushed my body that hard for that long. It helped me to be better prepared for the state meet.

MS: Last year you ran 4:38.85 for 1600m. What's changed in your training to keep you progressing forward?

CB: This year I did more weight lifting through the course of the year. My training remained about the same, but I just ran the workouts a little faster.

MS: During the fall you were running some amazing times, but chose to shut down your season after the state meet, foregoing Foot Locker. What was the reasoning behind this decision?

CB: I was ready for a break and my legs were feeling pretty achy for the last three weeks. My CIF Prelims and Finals were at Mt. SAC and then the State Meet was at Woodward. I am not the type of person that puts value into Foot Locker Nationals and Nike Nationals, so I was totally happy to be resting. Obviously that does not make most people very happy, but you can't please everyone.

MS: What does a typical training week look like for you?

CB: Mondays are usually a distance run, hill run or tempo intervals. Tuesdays are track workouts. Wednesdays are recovery days, so I would go on a distance run and then usually lift. Thursdays are another track workout, tempo run or fartlek. Fridays are either pre-meet days or distance runs. Saturdays are race days or another track workout. Sundays are 15-minute shake-outs or, my personal favorite, a day to rest.

MS: You decided a few months back that you'll be taking your talents to the University of Washington next year. Why UW?

CB: I really connected with the team and the coaches on my official visit. I also found an amazing church to go to there. When I visited, I just knew that it was where I wanted to go.