14 Questions with Brittney Reese

She is arguably one of the most talented in the sport.  Turns out Brittney Reese has managed to remain at the top of an event where less than inches separate the competition.  This talented long jumper fills us in on her journey, dreams, and what it takes to be the best in this weeks 14 questions.

PRJ: Well first things first: How are you doing?

I’m doing well. Right now I’m in Europe doing some Diamond League meets.

PRJ: How did you get started running and jumping?

I first started running in the 7th grade but I didn’t start jumping until the 11th grade. My high school      coach took the basketball team members that were already on the track team out to the track to see who  could long jump the farthest for a Coca Cola.

I was already doing the 400 and thought this was my opportunity to get out of it. So I asked could I try  and he said no but I kept on asking him could I try it until he finally said yes. When I jumped he was shocked and said go to it again. Once I did it again I had convinced him that the 400 wasn’t for me.

PRJ: How hard was it to leave basketball to focus on track?

Everyone knows that basketball is my first love. So leaving basketball was a tough decision for me. I talked to my mom about it and she thought that my career was in track and field. Turns out that she knew exactly what was best for me.

PRJ: What is it like being a professional athlete now?

I like being a professional athlete. Being able to travel the world is a big part of being a professional athlete in track and field. I have finally gotten used to the traveling because when I first turned pro I used to be scared to fly now I am ok and don’t mind it as much.

PRJ: Have you treated yourself to anything special since turning pro?

No I haven’t. I have been saving my money for a special something I might be able to get by my birthday or Christmas.

PRJ: You’ve had a pretty amazing run lately – winning the World Title in Berlin last year, World Indoor title in Doha this year, and winning USA Outdoor Nationals – what’s the been key?

I would say the key to my success is by staying humble. Keeping my head on straight and training hard that’s all I can do. The women’s long jump is a tough field and every championship is up for grabs. It only takes one jump.

PRJ: So are you aiming for 2012 now?

Yes I am. I missed out on getting a medal in 2008 and I plan on not letting that happening again in 2012.

PRJ: Where are you training, with whom, and why?

I train at the University of Mississippi with my coach Joe Walker Jr. The reason I train with him is because he was my college coach. He is the person that has gotten me to where I am now and without him I wouldn’t be here. I believe in him and he believes in me.

PRJ: What are your thoughts on Allen Johnson’s recent retirement?

Allen Johnson is one of the best hurdlers of all time and its sad to hear about his retirement. I think it would be great for him to help future up-and-coming athletes in the sprints and hurdles. I wish him all the best.

PRJ: When was your “break through” – because it seems like you were good in college during your sophomore year you really ratcheted it up.

I think my “break through” was the World Championships in 2009. At that meet I really proved to myself that I could compete with the best. Jumping my PB 7.10 there at a major competition was the best feeling ever.

PRJ: What were the 2008 Olympic Trials like for you and what did it feel like when you made the team?

The 2008 Olympic Trials were the first major win for me at being professional so it was real important to me. My goal was to make the team but winning it put the icing on the cake. I was just so happy that day.

PRJ: We see track athletes one year win medals and then disappear, and then maybe come back — you have been consistent, what is among your keys to consistency?

I would think the key to consistency is that I have a dream that I want to accomplish and with the grace of God I will not stop until it is accomplished. I watch film before every meet sometimes at home. I try to go out to meets with already knowing what needs to happen before it happens.

PRJ: What’s it like to be at the forefront of the conversation when people discuss long jumping on the international level?

It’s a great feeling and hopefully it can stay that way for a long time. I work hard at what I do and for people to acknowledge and appreciate it is even better.

PRJ: What have the last two or three years taught you about yourself?

What I have learned about myself these past two or three years is that I am a competitor and I love competing. I used to be scared because I knew my competitors could pull out a big jump anytime. I have now recognize that after my first World Championships in 2007 that I also can pull out those big jumps at any moment.

PreRaceJitters Q&A: Murielle Ahoure is one to watch

Photo courtesy of Jeff Squires.

Don’t sleep on Murielle Ahoure.  The collegiate with perhaps the most potential of any non-professional track and field runner in America is committed to becoming the best track runner she can be.

After three successful years at George Mason, Ahoure packed her bags and transferred to the University of Miami, in order to train in the heat and intensity that she felt would be most conducive to living up to her own expectations.  Miami’s tropical climate more closely resembles that of her native land in Ivory Coast than nearly anywhere else.

When Murielle was a teenager, her mother Chantal Doue relocated the family from the Ivory Coast in West Africa in order to live the American dream because she thought that Murielle had potential.  A NCAA Indoor 200 meter title and three-time All-American honors later, we’ll say, no kidding.

While her start is lightening quick, and she’s a capable runner with quick feet, the appeal to her track game is not her raw physical attributes.  Instead, what makes her special are her intangibles.  Ahoure upside is huge. She is relatively new to the track game having picked up the sport during her junior year in high school at the behest of her guidance counselor at Hayfield High School in Alexandria, Virginia as a way to make new friends.  The Miami track champion’s attitude is too cool to sweat and relaxed under pressure even while competing against the nation’s elite talent.

“I really keep things simple and try to focus on whatever is in front of me in order to keep my mind clear,” said Ahoure said in a phone interview last week from Miami.  “My coach says that I’m a baby and that is so true because I feel like I learn something new every day in this sport,” said Ahoure.

The Miami senior has shown flashes of greatness.  During the indoors season, she put down 7.17 over 60 meters, which at the time was the fastest run in the nation.  Her potential is relatively untapped and her future is bright.

PreRaceJitters caught up with Miami’s Murielle Ahoure and here is what she had to say.

PRJ: Thank you for taking time to speak with PreRaceJitters.com and congratulations on your indoor tite. Your time of 22.80 seconds not only won the NCAA 200 meter indoor title but is also the fastest indoor time in the world. Looking back at College Station was it a coming out party for you both nationally and internationally?

MA: Yes, it was really exciting.  It was a brand new facility and track.  I was so happy to be there.  The 200 meters is definitely not my strongest event, which is why I was shocked at the results. I just went out there and competed to be best of my abilities.  I am stronger at shorter races, so the last 50 meters in the 200 meter is the toughest part of my race.  I was trying to keep it together.  In my mind, the 200 is super long and that is why I really prefer the 100 meters.

PRJ: What does it feel like to hear someone say “Murielle Ahoure, NCAA 200 Meter indoor national champion?”

MA: Oh my gosh! It has been my dream since starting running at the collegiate level.  It means so much because, I’ve worked really hard and all of that hard work really paid off.

PRJ: Was it an American dream come true when you crossed the title and won the race?

MA: It was unbelievable. I never really thought that I would win. I came into the meet with that as my goal but it wasn’t real until I crossed the line because I’ve believed for so long but wasn’t sure that it would come true.

PRJ: What do you credit for your improved performance from your 12th place finish last year in the 60- meters to National Champion in the 200 meters at this years NCAA indoor meet?

MA: The biggest item I can identify is my improved strength through the weight room. That along with training in a new program, a new coach and new training environment. I think it helped me to come to Miami where I can train outdoors the whole year.  We’ve been focusing on lifting heavy and becoming more powerful.  For the first time in my career, I’ve been doing lots of body weight exercises like lunges, sled pulls and things like that to build power and explosion.

PRJ: What if any influence has former Hurricane and Olympian Lauryn Williams had on your career so far?  Did she give you any advice prior going into the NCAA Indoor Nationals?  If so, what did she say?

MA: Lauren and I train on the same track everyday but we don’t train together.  But Lauryn always makes herself available to answer any questions. Lauren told me to just go out there and run and to not let to my nerves get the best of me. Just being in her presence is enough for me. Lauren is a nice person, amazing athlete and I look up to her for who she is and what she has accomplished in her career.

PRJ: Now that the indoor season is completed, what will your training regime be like over the next month to six weeks in preparation for NCAA Outdoor Championships and the U.S. National Championships?

MA: I rested for two week after NCAA Indoors. The next month or so is really going to be pretty intense.  Coach will have me doing some crazy workouts. Now we are really focusing on the ACC championships which is taking place in two week.  More than likely I will run the 100, 200 and 4×100 meter relay at the conference meet.

PRJ: Originally you ran for George Mason.  What led to your transfer to Miami and how would you assess your decision to become a Cane?

MA: It’s always been amazing.  I remember falling in love with the school as a freshmen when I came to compete in the Hurricane Invitational.  The weather in Miami is tropical and wonderful.   I pretty much feel like I’m on a vacation every day of my life since I’ve been here.  The beach is 15 minutes away and I go to there pretty much every week. Surprisingly it [transferring] was a smooth transition and the biggest thing that I had to deal with was the heat and humidity coming from a cold state in Virginia. Once I got used to training in the heat everything was fine.  My teammates really welcomed my arrival with open arms.

PRJ: Looking forward to the outdoor season. What are your goals for NCAA Outdoor season and the U.S. National Championships

MA: Right now, I am focused on the ACC Championships which take place in two weeks.  I just want to be competitive and to be good. I want to be one of the best in the world at what I do.  One of my strengths is to focus on the things in front of me and then to worry about the rest later on when we get there.

Switching gears a bit.

PRJ:What are the top five artists on your iPod right now?
MA: Beyonce, Lady GaGa, Marvin Gaye, Ne-Yo, and India.Arie

PRJ: What is your favorite television show can you not live without?
MA: All of the shows on VH-1.  Who doesn’t? They are my guilty pleasures.

PRJ: Who inspired you to begin running?
MA: My high school counselor at Hayfield High School recommended that I get involved with the track team. He said that joining a team great way to make meet new people and make some new friends.

PRJ: If you could have lunch with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
MA: Beyonce. I love her music and she is a legend in what she does.

PRJ: What is your top travel destination that you would like to visit?
MA: The Pyramid in Egypt and the Nile River.

PRJ: Again, thanks for your time and good luck with your season.

Words by Jay Hicks and images by Jeff Squires.