Interview: Bernard Lagat

Events: Middle Distance
Height: 5’8’’; Weight: 134pounds
Personal Records: 1500m – 3:26.34 (2001); 3000m – 7:32.43iAR (2007); 5000m – 12:59.22 (2006); Mile – 3:47.28 (2001)
Birthday: December 12, 1974 in Kapsabet, Kenya
Current Residence: Tucson, Arizona; College: Washington State University 1999
Coach: James Li; Agent: James Templeton; Club: Nike

One of the most popular athletes in our sport, Bernard Lagat, is a two-time world champion and is now representing the U.S. His victories at 5000 meters and 1500 meters in Osaka were true highlights of his career.

CA: What was your first experience in cross country?

BL: It was during an inter-class tournament at our high school, way back in 1992.

CA: What was training like in high school?

BL: Training was not coordinated. There was nothing set for a particular day. A games master could just think of anything for that particular day, and we would do it without asking any questions. We did mostly long runs and fewer track sessions. A few hill sessions were sometimes put in plan for a particular day.

CA: When did you make a commitment to running?

BL: I made a commitment to pursue running during my sophomore year in high school. This was in 1992. A few boys my age had never seen a training shoe, and since I was privileged enough to own a pair, thanks to my older sister Mary's generosity and encouragement, I then decided to incorporate running into my daily routine. But, [I was] making sure that my EDUCATION was my first priority.

CA: What was college training like?

BL: CRAZY..... Seriously, it was my first time to really follow a set training program. I had experience[d] a little bit of a well laid-out plan while training in Kenya after high school, but when I joined W.S.U, my coach had a well-structured weekly training plan, which [was] comprised of long runs, tempo runs, hill sessions, drills, weight training, ice baths, etc. Most of these were quite new to me, but I immediately got used to it, and I truly enjoyed every day I went out training.

CA: What is difference between running in high school and running in college?

BL: For me, high school running was something I didn't take seriously. I could skip training and still be ranked very high in my school, but when I joined college, I realized right away that in order for me to [find] anything useful in this, I must be serious and dedicate more time to making sure that I prepare myself well for races/competitions. I also realized that in order to make it in college, first, I needed to have some goals for the season. Second, once I knew my goals, all I could ask of myself is the discipline and hard work necessary to achieve those goals.

CA: Tell us about your experience in the Olympic Trials.

BL: It was my best Olympic Trials EVER! I enjoyed every bit of my time while in Eugene, as we all know that Eugene is the place to go if you're looking for real fun in track and field.

CA: Tell us about your high school experiences in cross country. How were your experiences in college and then open competition?

BL: It was during my sophomore year in high school when I participated at the Inter-Class Cross Country event. I remember running hard against the seniors and those that were more talented than I was. In that competition, I was the first runner for my class, and because of that, I was put in the official school cross country team for the districts.

The college cross country experience is one of the lasting memories you'll always have for so many years after you graduate. You learn to be a part of a team and put your team's interest first. In college, I was one of the strongest front runners in the team, and since cross country is a team event, I depended on my teammates for success, as they depended on me, as well. I established good relationships with all my teammates, because I knew that a team united would be the toughest out there.

CA: What keeps you sane during training? Favorite music? Favorite books?

BL: Thinking about running and imagining what my top competitors could be doing in their training; [I ask] are they training harder than I am? And if so, are they more prepared than I am? These are silly stuff, if you come to think about it, but it gets me going even harder and faster than I'd like to in training!

CA: Do you train with a group or individually?

BL: Mostly alone, but in tougher days, I workout with my buddy, Abdi, a.k.a. the Black Cactus.

CA: Do you have a favorite quote or a favorite song that gives you inspiration?

BL: Training is hard, so I firmly believe that hard work leads to BIG SUCCESS!

Most important performances
2008: 6th in 1500m semifinals at Olympic Games (3:37.79)…Olympic Trials 5000m and 1500m champion (13:27.47, 3:40.37)…1st in 2-mile at Nike Prefontaine Classic (8:12.45)...1st in 1500m at adidas Track Classic (3:35.14)…1st at Rieti (3:32.75)…bests of 3:32.75 and 13:16.29.
2007: World Outdoor 1500m (3:34.77) and 5000m champion (13:45.87)...USA Outdoor Champion 5000m (13:30.73) and 3rd in 1500m (3:35.55)…1st at Millrose Games (3:54.26WL)…1st in 3,000m at Birmingham (7:32.43iAR)…Runner-up at Reebok Grand Prix in mile (3:53.88)…2nd at Nike Prefontaine Classic in Bowerman Mile (3:50.56)...3rd in 1500m at Sheffield (3:36.24)…1st in 1,500m at London (3:35.71)…3rd in 1,000m at Stockholm (2:16.25)…ranked #2 in world, #1 U.S. at 1500m, ranked #3 in world, #1 U.S. at 3,000m, ranked #4 in world, #1 U.S. at 5000m…bests of 3:34.77, 7:32.43i, 13:30.73.
2006: USA Outdoor 1500m (3:39.29) and 5000m Champion (13:14.32)… 2nd at adidas Classic (3:32.94)…1st at Nike Prefontaine Classic (3:51.53)…1st at Rieti (3:29.68 U.S. Leader)…1st at Rethymno (7:34.41 U.S. Leader)…1st at London (12:59.22 U.S. Leader)…3rd at Meeting Gaz de France Paris Saint-Denis (3:31.48)…3rd at Athletissima (3:32.19)… ranked #3 at 1500m, #9 at 5000m in the world and #1 in 1500m, 3000m, 5000m in U.S. by Track & Field News…bests of 3:29.68, 7:34.41, 12:59.22.
2005: 1st at Rieti 1500m (3:29.30, U.S. record, world leader)set U.S. Indoor records at Powered by Tyson Invitational (mile, 3:49.89 & 1500m, 3:33.34)…2nd at Oslo (3:48.38 U.S. leader, #2 in world)…#1 at World Athletics Final 3000m (7:38.00 U.S. leader)...1st at Wanamaker Mile in a Millrose and MSG record (3:52.87)...1st at Berlin 5000m (12:59.29 U.S. leader)...ranked #2 in world, #1 U.S. at 1500m/mile, #5 in world (#1 U.S. at 3000m)...bests of 3:29.30AR, 3:48.38 U.S. leader, 7:38.00 U.S. leader, 12:59.29 U.S. leader.
2004: Olympic 1500m silver medalist (3:34.30)…World Indoor Championships 3000m gold medalist (7:56.34)…1st at Brussels (3:36.24)…1st at Zurich ( 3:27.40WL)…ranked #1 in world at 1500m/mile by T&FN…best of 3:27.40.
2003: World Indoor silver medalist (3:42.62)…1st at Millrose Games (4:00.36)…2nd at Zurich (3:30.55)…1st at Stockholm (3:32.99)…1st at Modesto (3:40.66)…ranked #4 in world by T&FN…best of 3:30.55.
2002: 1st at World Cup (3:31.20)…2nd at Grand Prix Final (3:30.54)…1st at Stockholm (3:31.38)…1st at African Championships (3:38.11)…2nd at Monaco (3:27.91)…ranked #2 in world by T&FN…best of 3:27.91.
2001: Silver medalist at World Outdoor Championships (3:31.10)…ran third-fastest 1,500m in history at Rieti (3:26.34)…ranked #2 in world by T&FN…best of 3:26.34.
2000: Olympic Games bronze medalist (3:32.44)…1st at Mt. SAC (3:54.97)…2nd at Grand Prix Final (3:36.88)…best of 3:28.51…ranked #3 in world by T&FN
1999: NCAA Outdoor 5000m champ ion(14:01.09)…NCAA Indoor mile champion (3:55.65)…NCAA Indoor 3000m champion (7:54.92)…3rd at Zurich (3:30.56)…ranked #4 in world by T&FN…best of 3:30.56.
1998: Best of 3:34.48.