(Photo by Don Rich)
MileSplit.us recently had a chat with Walter Schafer, Cherry Creek CO, who recently finished an impressive 2nd place in 24:10, behind Trevor Dunbar at the USATF Junior XC Championships. The performance qualifies Schafer to compete for the U.S. in Poland on March 28th at the IAAF World XC Championships. Walter discusses his preparation for the USATF race and his goals for Worlds.
MileSplit.us: What have you done over the last several months to prepare for this race?
Walter Schafer: I took two weeks completely off after Foot Locker because I was pretty tired and really needed a break. Towards the end of the two weeks off I really started to get anxious to run again which was exactly what I needed. My first 2 weeks back mainly consisted of mileage trying to get in a little bit of a base. Once I got my mileage up to about 50 miles a week I started to add in some workouts. At first I was only doing one workout a day that was mainly longer type workouts like mile repeats or 15-25 minute tempos. Once I started to feel pretty fit again I threw in a second workout each week that was a little more speed oriented like 800s or 400s. I got up to 60-65 miles a week going into USATF and felt very fresh. I ran a two mile time trial on the track a week out from the race and then some relaxed quarters the Thursday before the race to get my legs loose and ready to roll.
MileSplit.us: You were 22nd at Foot Locker, were you expecting more? How did that play into your decision to run USATF?
Walter Schafer: My finish at Foot Locker was very disappointing because I was in great shape going into the race and I think it was more of a mental defeat than anything else. As disappointed as I was, I tried to let it go so it wouldn't ruin the rest of the experience. I got there which was my main goal and while I had a disappointing race, I learned a lot and became a better runner after analyzing what went wrong with that race. i was planning on running at USATF before FLN but my sub-par performance at FLN definitely served as a motivator for USATF. I wanted to get out there and prove that I could run with those guys and that I was in good shape.
MileSplit.us: Has making a world team been a goal of yours?
Walter Schafer: I have always dreamed of making the junior team but to be honest I never really thought it was a reality. I knew I was pretty fit going into USATF but I had no idea that I was as fit as I am right now. I hadn't raced seriously since FLN so I was excited to see where I was. When I had 2k to go and was in second it really hit me that I could be going to worlds if I didn't blow up. With 50m to go I knew I had done it and from that point on I couldn't stop smiling the rest of the night.
MileSplit.us: Has any past junior qualifier contacted you with advice or encouragement? If so who? What did they say?
Walter Schafer: My boy Erik Olson qualified for World Youth and I was talking with him about the whole experience after the race. The main advice he had for me was not to freak out going into the race. This is going to be very good advice for me because I tend to get very nervous before big races and I can only imagine what it will be like when I am competing with the best juniors in the world. He told me not to worry about it and to just go out there and run your race and that you will end up running great because there will be so many good guys out there pushing you along. I hope that he ends up being able to come to Poland with me, Ammar, and Emily. (Editors note: Erik Olson was 7th at the USATF Champs, and as the alternate, would make the trip if any of the six qualifiers elected not to go.)
MileSplit.us: What are your expectations for the Worlds race?
Walter Schafer: At worlds I am just going to get out there and try to run the best race that I am capable of. I don't really know what my competition is like so I don't know where a realistic placing would be for me, but I am a very competitive person and I am going to do everything in my power to place as high as I can. I hope that we can all go out there and show the world that the USA has some talented distance runners.
MileSplit.us: Have you been overseas before? Besides the racing, what are you looking forward to the most on the trip?
Walter Schafer: I have traveled overseas before, I went to France two summers ago and Ireland when I was younger. I have never been to Poland though, and my ancestors came from Poland, so I am excited to go there and see what it is like. I am most excited for the experience as a whole. I can't wait to meet athletes from all over the world and be with such a talented and dedicated group of people. I am also very excited travel with all of the pros and meet them, especially because there are two Notre Dame grads going! I am going to Notre Dame next year if you didn't know that.
MileSplit.us: What are some of your goals indoor? Any national meets or just training for Worlds?
Walter Schafer: There isn't really an indoor season in Colorado so I don't have any goals. I was going to run at NIN but now that I have worlds I don't think I am going to. Thank you for interviewing me and I can't wait to represent the USA!
(Photo by Don Rich)