Experts Q & A #5

[Nick]

Chat W?ap : Matt Tegenkamp of Wisconsin


Matt Tegenkamp of Wisconsin appeared live in the Trackshark Chat Wrap on Tuesday, October 12, 2004

The senior was named the Big Ten Runner of the Week after winning his second individual Roy Griak Invitational on Sept. 25. The meet was his first since being injured in 2003. Prior to his injury in 2003, Tegenkamp captured the 2002 Big Ten title and finished first on the team and 12th overall (29:49.1) at the NCAA championships, leading the Badgers to a second-place finish.

Tegenkamp will look to help lead Wisconsin to the national team championship along with being one of the favorites for the individual title in Terre Haute, Indiana on November 22.

Below is the Chat Wrap session transcript from Matt Tegenkamp:

 Tegenkamp won his second individual Roy Griak Invitational on Sept. 25 (Mark Foos)
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Matt from Oregon - Before you graduate from Wisconsin, what would be to you the pinnacle of running accomplishment?

Matt Tegenkamp - National title in cross along with the team title as well. National title in the 5k indoor and outdoor track along with helping the team bring home a trophy for both.

Dathan from Boulder, Colorado - Matt, it seems like you've become a much more mature runner in many different ways.  Do you think that this year is a great opportunity for a big breakthrough?

Matt Tegenkamp - I think I made a big jump last track season, off of very little training. Unfortunately, this is the most consistent I have been running wise since my true freshmen year (I know that is sad). I have had to deal with a lot of injuries and I think I have learned a lot about how to take care of my body because of them. This cross country season I have done some of the best workouts I have ever done, so I am expecting another big jump this season. I want the national title this year, not only for me, but also the team and I think I am ready for any move that will be made. As for the rest of the year, I want to make another jump in track and break that 13:20 5k barrier. I am not sure about the 10K just yet, soon though.

Frank from Illinois - Matt, how is your health? After many injuries, can you stay healthy this year?

Matt Tegenkamp - I am doing great. Everything is fine right now, and I am doing everything I can to keep it that way. I have grown 4 or 5 inches since I have been in college and I feel that has played a role in my injuries. I think (hope) I am done growing so I hope that will help keep me healthy. I think I read my body a lot better now and know when it is starting to break down and when I need my recovery days. I am also not afraid to take a day off if I need it, I use to push through a lot and that got me no where. As for the rest of the year, I plan on staying healthy and will do everything I can to stay that way but we push our bodies so close to the line that something could come up (lets hope not).

Jim from St. Louis - Will you continue running after college? What are your short term plans?

Matt Tegenkamp - I really want to keep running after college. I want to make the 5K team for World Championships this summer. I will just have to wait and see what options I have after the track season is done. I want to make the olympic team in 2008 and 2012. Making the olympic team it my dream, so I hope I have the opportunity to chase that dream after college.

Steve from California - What was your summer training like? Such as mileage and any tempo runs?

Matt Tegenkamp - I started July 1st and built my mileage up to 70 by August. In the middle ?f August, we started doing steady state runs starting at 6:00 pace to 5:20 for 8 to 10 miles. We did those once a week. Our main focus over the summer is just get the mileage in and build a strong base. We were also doubling in the summer as well. Like I said earlier, I got up to 75-80 miles a week by the time the season started.

Steve from Wisconsin - What are your favorite memories of being at Wisconsin?

Matt Tegenkamp - I think I would get in trouble by Jerry if I started talking about some of them. But there are too many to count, I don't have one memory that sticks out.

John Gerdel from Kansas - What type of training do you do? Do you think you are more suited for the 10,000 meters?

Matt Tegenkamp - We made a big change in our training last season because things were not going right with injuries and everything. We used to do a lot of mile off of singles and long strength repeats. Now, we are doubling three to five times a week (depending on mileage), this is so our bodies do not break down as fast. Monday's are usually a fartlek day with strides after (a medium day), Wednesday's are either a short tempo on the track or strength repeats (either on trails or track) and Friday or Saturday is our long tempo day, this is were we get most of our strength work. I personally double three times a week and have a long run of 13 miles to hit 75 to 80 miles a week. I love the new program Jerry Schumacher brought in and I think it is working very well.

Daniel from Kansas City - Hey Matt, great work so far. People always talk about how close of a team you guys are. Tell me what makes you guys a close team. What kind of things brings you guys closer together?

Matt Tegenkamp - Most of the guys on the team live together (there are three houses), That keeps us close because we always see each other. I think we are a very relaxed group and are able to joke around with each other. I think the most important think is that we all respect each other. We all kind of have the brother relationship, so there are problems every once in awhile, but we are able to talk through them before it gets out of hand.

Eric from Wisconsin - Matt, a lot has been made of the past Wisconsin recruiting classes. How are the younger runners performing and can hang wit the veterans in workouts?

Matt Tegenkamp - The recruits are doing fine, they are starting to adjust to the intensity. Most of the new guys were high mileage in high school so that was not a problem. They have been looking great in workouts and they are able to hang with the older guys (for the most part).

John from Ohio - Congratulations on your Roy Griak title. How did the race go for you and what was the experience like?

Matt Tegenkamp - The race went great, it was a perfect day. I love the course, I think Terra Haute and Griak are my two favorite. I got out fast and settled in to the race and waited until 5k to make a move. It was a hard move and after the race I was happy that I was able to make that hard of a move. The meet as a lot of top competition, so I was excited to win the meet. After the meet I had of a good sense of were I was at shape wise. I happy were I am and I am just going to keep working hard.

Pete from Western Illinois - Do you take any days off completely from running or any other activity during xc season to rest your body?

Matt Tegenkamp - I would prefer to take a down day of maybe 5 miles, but if I think my body needs a rest I will take a day off. So far this season I have not.