Blogs : NCAA Division III Blog

Interview: Hany Abdallah of New York University

(Courtesy of Alison Wade, eliterunning.com)

What was your Regional race like?  How did it go for both you as an individual, and for your team?

Our coach was not very pleased with our run considering we were getting beat about halfway through the race. I had confidence about our top 5. The race went out way too slow, I think around 4:55 which made me uneasy about some of the kickers. So as we were going up cemetery hill I picked it up putting the hurt on the rest of the field, except some followed. This was at about 3 miles. I kept up the pace but nothing too crazy; I didn't want to risk anything, especially at this meet. I thought I would have been enough to break everyone, but not the Hamilton kid. He kept up with me and used his speed to outkick me at the end. I mean it's not like this hasn't happened before; the same exact thing happened my sophomore year with the Plattsburg kid and I ended up beating him by 10+ spots at nationals. So I picked it up but not as fast as I could have, and I think I could have picked it up to about 4:45 or faster for the last 2 miles if I wanted to, but there's really no reason. I am not denying that he kicked my ass but I don't think he has a shot if Nationals goes out in 4:40's and somebody picks it up. He's good but nothing amazing; I've raced against fiercer opponents. The course was nice; I like having cemetery in the middle, and it really breaks kids who can't run hills. I like it because I always run that course when I do long runs so the race went by really fast. Team wise it was too close for comfort, but we can definitely race better than that. Overall, individually, and as a team, this meet or any other meet was not our top priority; our top priority is on Saturday.  

What was your training like this past summer? 

I am kind of happy with how the summer went. I was eager to start back up after Nationals; I took 5 days off then started up my mileage again. I started at 50 miles a week and by the end of June I was already at 90's. Up until the end of August I put in 6 x 100+ mile weeks in singles, two of which were 110 and 115 in singles. The runs were at a very solid pace, most of the week I would average around 5:50-5:55, even for my long runs. A change for this summer was the addition of 2 hour long runs every Sunday which have helped increase my strength. Some runs of particular interest were once a week or once every two weeks I would average around 5:40 for 13 mile run and end it in around 5:25 pace. I don't actually try to run hard for these runs but they just end up bringing out the beast in me. By the end of the summer I had enough strength to run a 20 miler in 1:56 high in a 100 mile week and do a 15 miler at good pace the next day without feeling like crap. The 20 miler was unintended; I just felt good and kept up my pace. I am excited at what this built up strength will do for the rest of the season because overall I did about twice as much mileage this past summer as my past three summers combined. And for the rest of the cross season I was at 100 miles a week consistently. I trained through most of the meets and didn't back off 100mpw until after Conferences. So even at Regionals, I didn't feel as fresh as I wanted to be. Hopefully at Nationals I'll have recovered enough to be able to race the way I want to.

What drew you to choose Division III, and New York University in particular?

Well, like I said, I wasn't very good in high school and the only coach who would give me the light of day was Nick McDonough. Even then I wasn't really recruited, I kind of was looking at the school. My freshman and sophomore year I wanted to run DI and thought about getting some scholarships because NYU is expensive, so I thought about transferring, but at the end I decided that my education was very important and Nick is one of the better coaches out there.

What are your goals for yourself and your team this season and year?

I would lie to you if I said anything other than winning Nationals. I am not even going to justify why I want or should win Nationals, but I will say that I got 9^th my sophomore year coming from injury and no training over the summer, and last year 14^th with a 6 month period of no running. As a team, we no doubt have our eye on the prize and we are really gunning for a win. In terms of indoor and outdoor, I want to run 13:50's indoor and 13:40 low outdoor. I don't think this is out of my reach; in fact I am confident that I will hit those marks.

You placed 9th individually at the 2005 National Cross Country meet. Last year you finished 14th, but ended the year with four All-American certificates, rather than the one you earned the previous year.  In your interview last year, you talked about the difficulty you'd had with staying healthy; what did you change in your training last year, if anything, that enabled you to stay healthy enough to compete all of last year?

Well some of the changes have been changing my running style. My freshman and sophomore year I used to hammer runs, even more so than now. Everyday was a battle against myself, I didn't take any easy days, and my workouts used to leave me beat and breathless. I know it was a good way to train because I used to run well and I used to have a better outlook on races than I do now. As you know, it left me in injury, so I decided to talk to Nick about it and perhaps see a podiatrist for new orthotics. I got new orthotics (which are a godsend) and Nick told me to slow down my runs and take easy during workouts. I was very reluctant, and even now I still have arguments with my coach about pacing, workouts, and everything else. But I know he's looking out for me and wants me to do the best I can. I try my best to listen to him and keep myself happy. He's a great coach, and his method creates studs; it's just I am a lot more stubborn than your regular person.

Has the fact that you haven't been NYU's top finisher at all but one of your meets so far has some pressure off of you, or added more pressure as far as your individual goals for the year?

Well, this answer kind of involves my answers to the past two questions. I did runs on my own really hard, hammered the end of workouts, and generally did more mileage than other people on the team, so I was flushed and beat coming into a meet. But now I've been taking it easier since Conferences and if it's timed right I should be in prime shape by Nationals. I am much fresher than my previous meets and challenged the Hamilton kid for the win and ended up placing the highest on my team. I am not as fresh as I want to be so I was a little tired when I picked up the pace at Regionals, but the kid is pretty good -- I am not going to deny that. But my performance at Regionals is no where near what my potential is. I guess we'll see next week. 

At this point last year, you were planning on applying to Medical School.  Since then, you have spent time volunteering at local hospitals.  Is applying to/attending Medical school still your plan, and if so, are you still only thinking about pursuing post-collegiate running if you don't attend Medical School?

Yeah, actually I've volunteered at my local hospital, and interned at the NYU medical Center in the neuropathology department. I will start an internship for government research in psychological behavior next semester, so hopefully that will help me. I really want to run after college and compete in marathons. I know I am much better at the marathon than 10k's because of the regular runs that I do at high intensity. Regardless, I am taking a year or two off after college. I am applying for jobs now and hopefully I get a job. Jon Phillips and I have talked about marathoning competitively and trying for trails in 2012; we'll see how things go.

There have been rumors on Letsrun that Ramadan has had a negative impact on some of your race results.  Is there any truth to this?

Yeah, it does have a huge negative impact on training in terms of recovery, hydration, and proper training. I have fasted the past three years and it really messed up my training anywhere from being dehydrated all the way to pulling muscles. This year, however, with the increased volume I had some close calls when I tried to fast during 2 hour days or 8-9 mile tempos. I usually got so dehydrated that I would not function all day. A few times I had low blood sugar and almost fainting on the street, and once I went to sleep after a long run and could barely stand up to get out of bed. Thus, this year I haven't fasted except for a little bit of the first week because I was really scared of the consequences. I will be making up those days during the year, though. I am a very religious person and I take my religion very seriously.

Who do you really enjoy running against?  Which other DIII runners or teams do you feel bring out the best in you during races?

This is a good question. I like racing against very good DI competition. I know I will be struggling and fighting until the end unlike some of the DIII races. I like blistering pace races where everyone knows they're going to PR. In terms of individuals I like racing against anybody that can beat me; that way I have a challenge. Specifically I like racing against some of the stronger runners like some of the Cortland guys and Calvin guys.

Entering both the Indoors and Outdoors 5k, you were the top seeded runner (and by 10 seconds in the Outdoors 5000) but ended up placing 6th in both races.  Were you disappointed with these results at all, and did your 4th place finish (after coming in with the 8th fastest time) in the 10k earlier in the weekend of Outdoors change your outlook on the Outdoor 5k, either before or after the race?

I don't know, I really thought I had the 10k because of my strong 5k time but I guess things didn't play out the way I wanted them. Anyway, I knew I was at a disadvantage because I was doubling back (I haven't doubled since highschool and that was only 1mile/2mile). It didn't affect my drive to win though; I was going to fight for a win, but I was uneasy about Will Leer's 1500 speed, as I don't have a good record against kickers. I tried to have a strong pace going into it and Ryan and I shared some of the pace, but I guess we didn't work hard enough. I was REALLY disappointed about the outcome.

What affect has Jon Phillips' decision to return for a 5th year at NYU had on the team's outlook for the season and the overall atmosphere of the team?

If we had Jon healthy, and running as well as he could, we would take nationals. His decision was very exciting not only because he's fast but because he's really fun to be around. He's awesome, funny, outgoing, and driven to win. How wouldn't that affect our team positively? I loved having him around because it would make our presence in DIII more prominent but also to kick his ass around in workouts.

What's the relationship between the track team and the other athletic teams?  What's the athletic culture like at NYU?

It's fairly close I guess. We do hang out with other teams a lot when we go out and stuff; everyone pretty much knows everybody else. The athletic culture outside of our sports center, however, is not very strong; not a lot of people know that we're good, or that we even exist. But the school is trying to promote sports more last year and this year, so it's getting better.

How do other students (non-runners) and professors at your school view the track team and its members?

Non-runners usually enjoy our company. We're pretty outgoing as a whole and we like to have fun with anybody (we have a lot of groupies). Professors -- not so much.  Personally, I've had a lot of trouble with professors when it comes to exams during meets and stuff. I've actually been failed on a midterm because he said if I didn't show up I would get a 0. It depends on the professor really, but they're really strict here so it's hard sometimes. But if a professor is a runner (there is a substantial amount) they usually enjoy the fact that we're in their class.

Do you follow running at the collegiate or professional levels at all? Would you care to confess to what extent you lurk on Letsrun.com or other message boards?

Yeah, I follow a lot of DI and like to compare myself to them. In terms of DIII, I only hear about what other runners do from my teammates. Haha. I thoroughly enjoy letsrun and what's said on the message boards. My teammates have post/pre run conversations about what's said on the message boards; usually it's about how ridiculous and ignorant some of the posters are. I never post and I really don't think that anybody else on the team posts.

You've received criticism via Letsrun and other message boards regarding your interview last year.

I dunno, I feel like a lot of runners out there are too humble but simply for the wrong reasons. I mean people just don't want to look like the bad guy, so they don't say what they have in their hearts.  I mean for example when you interviewed the St. John's kid, he said he would like to do better than his 50th place finish or w/e. Great for him you know, but that doesn't show me that he wants to win or maybe to an extreme why he should have been interviewed in the first place.  (I'm not criticizing your choices of course, I do recognize your finesse and your knowledge of the sport and the relationship between fan and runner). However, intrinsically, there is an entertainment value to your blog and to holding track&field/cross country meets. Inductively, one can see why our sports are lacking in the entertainment department. The excitement is there, I think more so than other sports in terms of the proximity of defeat to glory and vice-versa. But you have to think!  Where is your Kobe Bryant or Allen Iverson? Where's your Zidane or in general soccer players? If you think in terms of soccer all of these players know they're the best, say they're the best, and play like they're the best. They always show off their skill on the field and play dirty if required. They're badasses but also appeal to the fans. And finally, this can all be seen by their extensive celebrations. It might be an American thing, you know, where we try to stifle outward expression of superiority for the betterment or an increased balance between those that are superior and those that are not. As Americans we try to create and instill that balance as much as we can from grade school all the way into college. I see it all around from the NCAA enforcing its rules on fan misconduct to the fining of professional football players and their TD celebrations. This is concurrent with the fact that I am from another country and I have different beliefs and ideas of what it is to be the best and what it requires. Look, I'm not sitting on my ass doing nothing and saying I'm the best and neither is anyone else. I make sure that I'm doing more than anyone else so I have enough confidence when it comes down to crunch time. In addition, I'm not saying that I'm a superior human being, I'm just saying that I might be better than your average and I can back it up with certain statistics. I certainly don't entail that I can beat El Guerrouj but I'm not going to completely write off the possibility of my beating him in the future. I'm still relatively new (compared to others) in this sport and I still have many years (and mileage lacking from injuries) under my belt. So who is to say that I cannot make the Olympic team or be the best American distance runner in 2012?  You're right, I can't be sure of that fact that I will be the best, but neither is anybody else. My outlook on whatever I run is very mercurial and I think I think it's a substantially innate quality of the sport. Thus I try to be some kind of demagogue in which my outlook creates certain sparks in the fans (whether negative or positive) that perpetuates my undying will to be the best. I'm not going to deny that I'm cocky but I'm also not going to deny that I'm confident also. Being cocky is attractive and creates a demanding air of attention. I am really not a bad guy, I'm actually fun and a good person. If you've ever raced against me I've shaken your hand after the and told you good job and keep on trying, no matter if I lost to you or beat you. I mean if I say I'm going to beat somebody and that person beats me and comes up to me after the race and says "look you were wrong I beat you" I'll admit to the fact and say "you're right, you beat me today." But it's not the end of the world and he simply wont beat me every time, so generally every generalization is wrong (lol ignore the logical implications of this, and simply take the semantic implication). I'm just trying to make running more entertaining for everyone, and more importantly for myself.

Are there any other closing thoughts or pieces of wisdom you'd like to share?

I'ma keep the same grin whether I, lose or win Up, or down ten, I'ma fight to the end. It's the heart of a champion. -- Nelly

Thanks to Hany for a fantastic interview.

Untitled Comment

12:49 AM, November 13, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

Honesty, rather than stubborness, is your most defining trait. Thanks for the interview. You'll get eaten alive for it, but it was definitely the most interesting thing that's been on the blog all season.

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12:57 AM, November 13, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

Hany needs to work on his grasp of some of those big vocab words he's dropping.

I'll stop being an asshole for a second and say this: Hany's ridiculous self-confidence is obviously an asset (though maybe it has also led to all those injuries). It is also an incredibly off-putting trait. I wish I was a better person, but I can't help but root against him.

Untitled Comment

9:45 AM, November 13, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

Hany straight up ignorant or straight up liar... howd the "Plattsburgh kid" do the next year at regionals not to mention nationals...show some respect for others and have some self respect...maybe get your facts straight at some point too...good luck against the "Hamitlton kid"...you're going to need it

555569

10:00 AM, November 13, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

I dont get how you can continue to talk the way you do when you do not have a national title. Sigl is going to destroy that "NYU kid"

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10:43 AM, November 13, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

Hany I hope you realize you're represeting NYU and your family name when you spout off so arogantly. Maybe think about that next time. Also I dont know if someone has addressed this but their names are Peter Kosgei and Matt DeShane. One of whom has never lost to you in a race and the other beat you in every race of his career except one. The one you did take you did not beat by 10+ spots either Im afraid. Seems like you'd remember a guy like DeShane heck you probably had nightmares about him. Now that he's long since retired I guess Kosgei will have to take over. Sweet dreams.

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1:20 PM, November 13, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

That was not a fantastic interview--at all.

You're OK in my book.

2:01 PM, November 13, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

I'll say it: That interview was good. That interview pumped me up. Not everybody partakes in Bill Belechek's "humple pie." Let him be outspoken and brag; it will just bring out the best in other runners who read this blog. It depends on what you want--if you want Hany to fail then ok; but, if you want American distance running to improve ideals like this are not terrible.

coky

2:53 PM, November 13, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

hanny sucks

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5:41 PM, November 13, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

hah wow Hany do yourself a favor and trade in your thesaurus for a dictionary. That last answer is an instant classic. I\'m book marking it for when I feel like an absolute tool (which of course I am) but at least it will make me realize it could be worse.

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7:01 PM, November 13, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

He used all those words correctly--you all need to familiarize yourselfs with dictionaries.

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9:41 PM, November 13, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

Nice Nelly quote

Not being mean

10:40 AM, November 14, 2007 .. Posted by Raftuck

I'm not going to knock the guy for being confident. I'm not going to knock the guy for having big goals, even though he hasn't lived up to them yet. Some respect for your fellow athletes would be nice though. Don't act like you're above people who beat you, it isn't an endearing trait.

And don't force the big words either, learn the context where you would use "concurrent", "entails", "mercurial" "substantially innate", etc. It makes it sound like you try too hard.

Untitled Comment

2:22 PM, November 14, 2007 .. Posted by the abonimable abdallah

As stated by another already I have no problem with confidence and having big goals. I think all runners should be a little more cocky, dream big, and even talk big. I do have a problem with kids like this that don't acknowledge their competition. You know damn well he knows Kosgei's name after he put 12 seconds on Abdallah in the last 600 meters. By the way, is 600 out considered a kick or just running away? Do you think he knew who that "Widener kid" was, and if so would he admit to it? Also, I have a problem with people that fool themselves into believing they are smarter than they really are (obviously he didn't fool any readers), but that just comes with the territory at NYU. Not the XC team so much (I actually really liked the Phillips interview), but that whole school community is so pompous when in reality none of them got into an Ivy school but they do have the money to pay their way into a reputable school. Hany is only a product of his environment, poor guy it's not his fault he's surrounded by it.

Hopefully this helps for the next interview, and I hope like hell there is another because we must all admit it is entertaining, if only to a small pool of people.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mercurial

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/concurrent

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/demagogue

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/context

"My outlook on whatever I run is very mercurial and I think I think it's a substantially innate quality of the sport."
This sentence contains all sorts of problems. Mercurial is not the word he is looking for. What is innate to the sport? Your outlook on whatever you run is a born in quality of the sport? lol not even close man.

"This is concurrent with the fact that I am from another country and I have different beliefs and ideas of what it is to be the best and what it requires."
Again, what is concurrent wit the fact that you are from another country? Is fining of professional football players concurrent with the fact that you are from another country? Well that doesn't make sense. Do you mean to say that your willingness to change the attitude in sports is concurrent with the fact that I am from another country and I have different beliefs and ideas? If so, then say that.

He did use demagogue right. Mad props.

All in all I just think he came off sounding a little pretentious.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pretentious

Untitled Comment

10:01 PM, November 14, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

Actually, I would argue he used demagogue incorrectly as well: insofar that he wants to engender negative emotions in the "fans," that would seem to be at odds with the aim of "acquiring popularity" which is part of the definition of demagogue that you cited (even the other element in the definition--"power"--is a stretch, since the connotation would appear to be power bestowed by support from the masses rather than power derived from their antagonism).

And yes, actually taking the time to write these criticisms out probably makes us no better than Hany.

I respect this ****

12:04 AM, November 15, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

I don't know. I respect a guy who can come out say what he is honestly thinking. I think these same thoughts run through the minds of most competitors but they choose not to same them. I know I never said this **** in interviews, but I never thought I didn't have a chance at winning. I might suggest some more respect to his fellow competitors, but then again, that would just be my style. I respect his. Good luck at Nationals Hany. I'd like to see you win it all.

This guy needs to realize his place

11:55 AM, November 15, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

BFD if you're hot **** in division 3....guy didn't want to jump up to D1 and get his ass kicked, so he'd prefer to beat up on lesser competition and act like a dick about it.

Untitled Comment

3:46 PM, November 15, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

Man, when someone beats this guy they should turn around and taunt his ass as they cross the line. What an arrogant bull****ter.

Congratulations

8:54 PM, November 17, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

national - adjective - 1 : of or relating to a nation

champion - noun - 1: warrior, fighter
2: a militant advocate or defender <a champion of civil rights>
3: one that does battle for another's rights or honor <God will raise me up a champion — Sir Walter Scott>
4: a winner of first prize or first place in competition; also : one
who shows marked superiority <a champion at selling>

Congratulations to Hany and his team, let the haters hate!