PreRaceJitters’ Interview: Sam Chelanga, Livin’ on a Prayer

Photo by David Bracetty.

By Cheryl Lowe.

Timing is everything. Going into the race, Sam Chelanga of Liberty University stepped up to the line of the men’s 10,000-meter race at the 2009 Brutus Hamilton Invitational meet in Berkeley, CA, with the goal in mind of running around a 27:40.

The Liberty All-American distance runner crossed the finish line in a collegiate record time of 27:28.48 instead, with a huge smile on his face and fans cheering on the sidelines.

Chelanga’s finish time is now one of the fastest in the world at the 10,000-meter distance, and there is little doubt that Neirobi-born runner will keep shifting gears to stay up at the front of the pack in the future.

Only a college sophomore so far, Chelanga has plans on dominating the rest of this track season in preparation for the NCAA Outdoor Nationals, where he and Oregon’s Galen Rupp will once again duel it out for the title.

PreRaceJitters.com sat down with Sam Chelanga to ask him about his recent record setting race, and what the future bodes for him this season.

PRJ: This past weekend at the Brutus Hamilton Invitational you ran 27:28.48, setting a new collegiate record in the 10,000. What were you thoughts immediately after crossing the finish line?

SC: I was amazed, because I wasn’t expecting to win the race, given the tough competition.

PRJ: Was breaking the collegiate record on your mind going into the race? If so, what was your race strategy going into the race?

SC: No, it wasn’t. I had never run anywhere close to the collegiate record. I was just aiming for a nice PR.

PRJ: Did the race unfold as you had planned? Were you waiting for the moment that you ran ahead of the pack with Collis Birmingham, and poured on the kick for the win?

SC: My plan was to sit back behind the leaders, and that went smoothly until the last three laps. Then, I thought maybe I should try to push the last couple laps. The kick was spontaneous and wasn’t planned at all.

PRJ: We are at the midway point in the outdoor season and you’ve already run 27:28.48, so far. What does this race say about what you can achieve at the 10K this season?

SC: I don’t think it will be easy to run faster than that this season, because such times require a good field of competitors and rabbits. I’ll just take that for now and pray that I stay fit for nationals.

PRJ: What are your goals for IC4A Outdoor Track Championships and Outdoor Nationals? Are you planning on doubling in the 5,000 and 10,000 at NCAA Nationals?

SC: I might just run the 5K at the IC4A meet to score points for our team. At nationals, I’m thinking of focusing on the 10K right now.

PRJ: It’s almost becoming a standing appointment with you and Galen Rupp. It came down to a two-man race with you at the 2008 NCAA Cross Country Championships and at the 2009 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. Does breaking Rupp’s 10k record this past week add any anticipation to running against him at the Outdoor NCAA Championships?

SC: I actually do not get excited at all after huge races like the ones you just mentioned. Even after breaking his record, I just consider it a great performance and move on. Every day is a new day, and the past is gone. It all depends on what happens now and on the day when we race each other again.

PRJ: How do you balance school with training and competing especially at this time of year with finals looming?

SC: I just try my best to do my work on time and get my training done. I also do schoolwork while traveling, so I don’t lose time. I sometimes get tired though.

PRJ: How do you mentally prepare for each race?

SC: I just try to relax and not worry about the race. I also talk to my brother (my American brother, Josh Cox). We just talk about general stuff and then pray over the phone. It’s relaxing to have Coach Tolsma there as well, in case I have a question. My friends and teammates leave me messages, and that gets me focused.

PRJ: Are you still doing a lot of training with Josh McDougal? Are you still seeking advice and mentorship from marathoner Paul Tergat?

SC:I do most of my training with the other guys on the team, and I also do some workouts on my own. I don’t get to talk to Paul Tergat often, but when we do talk, he always has something good to say.

PRJ: What does your older brother Joshua Chelanga have to say about all your performances this year?

SC: My brother Joshua Chelanga gets really excited about my success, but he is slow to accept the fact that I will one day beat his PRs. He is so glad that I am getting better every day.

Finally, I just want to thank everyone who is reading this interview. I always delight in the little things, like putting a smile on someone’s face or inspiring others by sharing the love of God through running.

Cheryl Lowe is a sportwriter for PreRaceJitters.com.

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