Rock looks get back on track in 2009 for the World Outdoor Championships (Errol Anderson)
It's been a while since we've heard from you. How is everything going for you right now?
Everything is going well. I was taking a little down time from running and racing but now am back lifting. I have been spending time with my family and relaxing some. I have also been studying some for the GMAT since I may decide to get my MBA. I am not 100% sure yet but I want it to be an option.
Stepping back on the track, it was strange not to see you, the 2006 U.S. National Champion, in the starting blocks during the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Eugene. What made you decide not to compete in the event and were you satisfied with the decision?
That's really a question I can't answer with ease. I have just had a tough year competing and really don't have all the answers why. I lost a lot of confidence in myself early in the year and it really just took a toll on me. I put a lot of pressure on myself to compete at a high level and when I wasn't, I really had a hard time handling that. I really have never had anything major go wrong in my track career, and that dates back to age 10. I just got used to having everything go smooth that when it didn't I was really caught off guard. I feel I am a pretty highly driven person and I think every year as I did well as a professional I just put more and more pressure on myself, and got to the point this year that I just couldn't handle it and it became overwhelming instead of something I do because I really love it. Obviously, I wish this would have never happened and that I made the Olympic Team, but I don't believe in looking back and regretting things. I made the decision not to compete and I am fine. Yes, it was a very hard time to go through but I am trying to learn from it. The comforting feeling is that I have made an Olympic team before and I will always have those memories.
Was it tough for you watching the Olympic Games even though knowing just how strong of a team the U.S. sent to Beijing in the 400 meters?
It was hard at times, and at times I was fine. I was happy for the guys who competed in Beijing and they obviously did a great job. I think I definitely had some of the emotions I felt in Athens come back which made it a little tough, but I expected that to happen.
You stated in an interview to the La Crosse Tribune in July that you're leaning toward making an effort to run the 400m hurdles. Have you made that decision yet and why have you thought about giving the hurdles a shot in 2009?
I really have not made that decision yet. I tried to get away from track for a little while after I came back from Europe. I guess at this point the training is pretty similar in the fall and overall for the most part, so why decide now? I thought about giving it a try because I was a decent hurdler in high school and I am a lot faster in the 400 now. I just want to do the event in which I have the best shot at doing well. I am by no means saying I am running the 400 hurdles. I was merely stating that it is an option. I still love the 400 and that is what has gotten me to this point in my career. So I guess my answer would be that I am a 400 runner and there are other options to look at as well.
Your coach, current University of Wisconsin assistant Mark Guthrie, has certainly molded you into outstanding form since your freshman year at Wisconsin-LaCrosse. What have you two discussed for your plans next season considering it's a World Championship year?
We have really not discussed it too much at this point yet. I think we are going to just see how the training is coming along and then make the adjustments accordingly. We always have a plan but it's good to be able to adjust that plan as you go.
With the track & field season ending, what is your current state of fitness and have you begun your fall session training? What will it generally consist of over the next few months?
I took a break for a month or so as I stated and am lifting right now. I usually start up more serious running workouts at the middle to end of October. I believe it will be something similar to that. The fall running is more strength oriented with a lot of 600's and hills.
Now that you're entering your late 20's, the peak of your athletic career is about to take shape. How important is it for you to not only be on top of your fitness physically, but mentally as well? What have you learned since you turned professional that has helped you the most in these areas?
I have learned a great deal as a professional runner. I think one of the biggest things that I have learned is that as you get better and have more accomplishments, it doesn't mean you have to change a bunch of things or do more than you did in the past. There is a fine line between training too much and too little. As competitors, I think we always want to do more and more every year and there comes a point when that becomes detrimental.
Earning a silver medal in the 400 meters at the 2005 World Outdoor Championships in Helsinki with a personal-best time of 44.35 seconds is certainly a performance that many look to as the staple in your career so far. How would you best describe your achievements in what has been a great story for fans up to this point?
I am proud of my career up to this point. I have had a rough year this past year but overall that doesn't overshadow in my mind what I have accomplished. I have worked hard and earned what I have done.
What's worked best for you in training over the past few seasons? Has the base been more speed or endurance and what kind of changes, if any, will there be for next spring?
I have used basically the same program since the beginning of college. Obviously, we have learned things that work better for me and changed things accordingly. Most of the program is strength oriented and that seems to fit the type of runner that I am. We do a lot of over-distance training, hills, repeat 200's with short rest, stuff like that.
Perhaps the most difficult transition for any professional track & field athlete is having to live, train and compete in Europe for several weeks each summer. What are some of the experiences that not many people may realize that you have to endure compared to if you were at home in Wisconsin?
The travel is quite an adjustment. There is a lot of downtime in Europe and you really cannot go out and do a whole lot because you are over there to do your job. However, the places I have been to are great life experiences, places I maybe would have never gotten to go to.
What's it going to take for you to have a successful 2009 campaign? What are some of your goals and expectations for next season?
It is going to take focusing on my goals. I think approaching running the way I did the past few years, before this year, will also help. I think keeping a more balanced life will definitely help as well. My goals are to regain my form of the years prior to 2008.
If he can do those why not try an 800. The races are almost as tough?
Don't be scared!!!
06:59, 29 September 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
I really think he was scared of the deep compitetion with warnier, merriett, carter, the list goes on and on. Now the 400 hurdles there is room for him to be more successful.
Know his background...
07:24, 29 September 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
Rock ran the hurdles in high school. He became a star 400 runner in college. Trying the 400IH is a logical professional move. I doubt he is scared of anything, simply considering an option to keep his running career going.
Rock's 400H Debut
11:19, 30 September 2008
.. Posted by Ryan
Rock ran his first 400H race this past summer in Belgium...
http://www.flotrack.org/videos/coverage/view_video/234058/70514
what?
12:02, 30 September 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
You think the 400 hurdles is less competitive than the 400 open???
How long have you followed the sport?
DIII vs DI
12:26, 6 January 2009
.. Posted by Anonymous
This is something that happens with some DIII sprinters when they race the DI guys, even if they are good they start to 2nd guest themselves. Rock is a Rock and I know Merritt personally and we both said that guy runs the most even race i ever seen, he forces you to stick to your game plan because he is. I coach at a DIII school and ran DI, and that is what i am working on with my athletes dont be scared JUST COMPETE. Rock you can do it just take it one training day at a time.
Rock looks get back on track in 2009 for the World Outdoor Championships (Errol Anderson) 