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garycohenrunning.com
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"All in a Day’s Run" is for competitive runners,
fitness enthusiasts and anyone who needs a "spark" to get healthier by increasing exercise and eating more nutritionally.
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This is what the running elite has to say about "All in a Day's Run":
"Gary's experiences and thoughts are very entertaining, all levels of
runners can relate to them."
Brian Sell — 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathoner
"Each of Gary's essays is a short read with great information on training,
racing and nutrition."
Dave McGillivray — Boston Marathon Race Director
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| Jenny Barringer was a member of the 2008 United States Olympic team which competed in Beijing, China in the 3000 meter steeplechase where she finished in ninth place with an American Record time of 9:22.26 Jenny finished third in the Olympic Trials 3000 meter steeplechase with a time of 9:33.11. Just weeks after making the Olympic Team, Jenny smashed the American record in the women's steeplechase, outrunning Olympic Trials champion Anna Willard in the final 30 meters and crossing the line in 9:22.73, an American Record and a personal best by almost 7 seconds at the KBC Nacht meet in Heusden-Zolder, Germany. She won the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2007 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Indianapolis in 9:34.64 which was the second fastest time ever recorded by an American woman at that time. Jenny competes for the University of Colorado and is a two-time NCAA steeplechase champion in 2008 (9:29.20) and 2006 (9:53.04). She earned Outdoor Track and Field All-American honors in 2008, 2007 and 2006. She is a two-time runner-up at the NCAA Cross-Country Championships in 2007 and 2006 where in both races she was the first American finisher. Jenny is a five-time 4A Florida State High School champion on the track, three-time state champion in cross country, the 2005 state finalist for the Wendy's Heisman Award and finalist for the Sports Illustrated Got Milk Award. She was the 2003 and 2004 Foot Locker South Regional Champion. At the Foot Locker National Championships she finished third as a junior and 10th as a senior, earning All-American distinction in both races. The 2005 USA Cross Country Championships Junior Women’s third-place finisher, she qualified for both the 2004 and 2005 IAAF World Cross Country Championships. Her personal best times include: 800m – 2:14.49; 1500m – 4:11.36; mile – 4:32.17; 3000m steeplechase – 9:22.26 and 5000m – 15:48.24. A political science major at Colorado, her hobbies include playing piano and she serves as a sign language interpreter. Her volunteer work includes participating in local adopt-a-road programs, Habitat for Humanity projects as well as volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House. |
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| GCR: | Competing in the Olympics is a dream of thousands of runners who start competing as children or teenagers. You achieved this dream at a young age. How does it feel to know that you are now and forever an Olympian? |
| JB | It’s quite an honor to have actually accomplished something most athletes only get the pleasure of dreaming about. It’s an honor to now be part of an elite fraternity of talented, dedicated, and hard-working athletes of whom I myself admire. |
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| GCR: | Just making an Olympic team is an amazing feat, but running a personal best, setting an American Record and placing in the top ten in the world at age 22 takes it to another level. What are your thoughts on your Olympic finals performance? |
| JB | I was among the minority of athletes, especially in Track and Field, who was able to manage their season in such a way that I peaked perfectly for the Olympic Final. I set a lifetime best when it counted the most. I couldn’t be more satisfied with that. However, I’m only satisfied with the progress of that season. I think I still have a lot to learn and have a lot of improvement ahead of me. |
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| GCR: | Due to the high level of competition in Beijing, you had to race one of your fastest times in your qualifying race just to make the final. How did you approach your preliminary race and what effect did it have on the final? |
| JB | I think most elite athletes will tell you that the prelims are worse than the final as far as nerves go. For me, it was exciting to be on the Olympic stage for the very first time but extremely difficult to balance that excitement with the stark reality that the real test was imminent. I didn’t want to repeat of Osaka. I promised myself I would lay it all on the line to make the final if that’s what it took. That being said, I felt like I ran a very smart, efficient, and relaxed race. I knew at the end of it I would still be ready in two days to do it all over again. |
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| GCR: | Four years ago a big crowd may have been 1,000 spectators watching you at the Florida State High School Championships. Describe your thoughts as you stepped on the track in Beijing with over 90,000 fans in attendance. |
| JB | That’s a difficult feeling to put into words. Honestly, I walked out thinking I should keep my eyes on the track and try not to look into the crowd. Once I steeped out though, I had a surge of pride and confidence that totally changed my attitude. Despite there being 90,000 spectators I was able to hear my USA teammates yelling my name in encouragement and was comforted by the occasional American Flag in the crowd. I really enjoyed the 200-meter walk down to our start. And you know the saying ‘the more things change, the more they stay the same?’ Well, just like in high school, as soon as I got to that line and looked down the track, the crowd might as well have started filing out. To me, all that was in that stadium for just under 10 minutes was a mondo track and 35 barriers. |
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| GCR: | How was the entire Olympic experience including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, sightseeing and the food? |
| JB | The first few days in Dalian my body was tired and confused from traveling but didn’t have a problem with the food. |
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| GCR: | Last year you won the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2007 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Indianapolis in 9:34.64 which qualified you for the World Championships in Osaka, Japan. How well did the international travel, difference in time zones and championship meet routine prepare you for the Olympics? |
| JB | I think the trip last summer to Japan was crucial for how well I was able to handle the challenges of traveling during the Olympics. First, you learn by doing, so having experienced a lot of the administrative tasks before, they didn’t seem as new and laborious the next time around. Also, I had already gotten to know some faces and names within USATF so I didn’t always feel like I was going to strangers when I had a question or needed help. Overall, that helped my comfort level in China |
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| GCR: | It was just a little over three years ago that you ran the steeplechase for the first time and now you are one of the best in the world. Does it seem like you came a long way in a short time and is it a bit hard to get used to? |
| JB | I sometimes feel like the last two years were like a crash-course in steeple chasing (fortunately, not literally!). I have a lot yet to learn about the event itself and how the dynamics of my own personality can help me improve at it. |
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| GCR: | What is it like to experience being ‘well known’ and to have fans want your autograph or to take pictures with you? |
| JB | Well, I don’t know that I would say I’m ‘well known’ ha-ha. I perceive the running world to be a wonderful, enthusiastic, and friendly bunch but also small. The other factor is I’m not Michael Phelps! But, if there were a high concentration of running enthusiasts and Barringer supporters, it would have to be Boulder, Co. The most requests for photos and autographs came immediately after my return to the States. I was a few days late beginning class so that made my return to campus even more conspicuous. Also, I hear that recruits are sometimes excited to meet me when they visit the school. Outside of that though, and the occasional cheer on a run through town, I think it’s not that big of a deal (smile). |
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| GCR: | At the Olympic Trials you forced the pace which guaranteed that the three leaders would make the team but may have resulted in you fading to third place. What was your strategy and was making the Olympic team more important than winning |
| JB | Everyone that’s good enough to be in the Trials is used to racing to win. But, everyone goes to the trails to make the Olympic team. Top three is all that matters. That being said, I went out with the intention of setting a pace that would most likely bring the three most fit and capable steeplechasers to the front. I was surprised, to be honest, how many women held on for five and six laps. I’m proud of how I ran despite the initial sting of third place. Any collegiate who ran at the Trials had a daunting task ahead of them considering what they had left on the tracks behind them. After setting a huge NCAA record, making the team at the Trials was everything I could have asked for. |
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| GCR: | In 2006 you went from a steeplechase novice to NCAA Champion in a handful of races. How surprising was this and what were highlights of your first NCAA victory? |
| JB | Five races to be exact (smile). Because of that, and reeling in that coveted victory as a little freshman, it will likely remain one of the top memories of my collegiate career, maybe even my whole running career. Of course, the best part was seeing my coaches afterward. I don’t think Wetmore saw that coming! There are a lot of expectations in my races now and pressure to stay in shape and stay on top. But, that race I will forever remember as the sweetest because I think of it as the last time I’ll ever be considered a ‘non-factor’ in any race. |
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| GCR: | You weren’t able to defend your NCAA title in 2007 as a competitor stepped on your shoe and you lost precious time while getting your shoe back on. How disappointing was this, but how has it helped you as a racer? |
| JB | It was hard to realize that in one instant I went from being one of the favorites, to the most obvious underdog. I was proud of how I responded though. I’ve learned from that experience that it’s when you don’t have time to make a decision that your true character comes out. I had no chance to decide what to do, I just had to act, and I’m proud of what I learned about myself that day. |
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| GCR: | At the 2008 NCAA Track and Field Championships you dominated the field to earn your second NCAA title in a collegiate record time of 9:29.20. Describe the emotion of that day and compare it to your win two years earlier. |
| JB | This was a totally different race in so many ways. I went right to the front planning on running my own race. It’s not very often that I get to totally let the reigns loose and run without tactics. But, that’s what I had a chance to do and exactly what I did in that race. Also, being a junior and a more seasoned athlete, with a different relationship with my coaches, it all made it different. When I finished, the excitement of pulling away so confidently and running so hard trumped any feelings of disappointment over just missing the American Record. I wasn’t shooting for it from the beginning and I felt like I had more in me anyway. |
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| GCR: | You were the runner-up at both the 2006 and 2007 NCAA Cross-Country Championships to Kenyan Sally Kipyego who competes for Texas Tech. How important is it to you to win an NCAA X-C title and what are your thoughts on being the first American both years but having to compete against foreigners collegiately? |
| JB | Sally and I are friends. She has always showed me the utmost respect and I’m honored to compete against her. She and I agree that we make each other better. I’ve never beat her, but she knows I’m working on it, so that motivates her just like she motivates me. I’m also friends with Hannah England and had fun racing her in Europe last summer before the Games. Again, they’re delightful women and they make me better. As to the importance of an XC title, I think my return to the NCAA rather than turning professional after the Olympics speaks for itself. |
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| GCR: | You had much success at Oviedo High School winning eight state titles in cross-country and track and field. What are some of your fondest high school running memories? |
| JB | I remember and often talk about the miles I logged with my coach, Jay Getty. Running around town, listening to Jack Johnson on the way up to Gainesville, cooling down in the ‘Swamp,’ and traveling to Footlocker and Europe are all fun memories. I also remember one year when the girl’s team decided to camp out in tents on his front lawn without telling him. We ordered pizza to the door and when he answered he saw our tents pitched in the front yard. Just like everyone else, it’s the funny stuff that sticks out the most. |
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| GCR: | After your junior year of high school we talked about the colleges you were considering and the importance of selecting a coach and program that could prepare you for the Olympic Trials and possibly more AFTER you graduated. How has that worked out? |
| JB | Perfect. I couldn’t ask for better coaches and a more supportive team and athletic department. |
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| GCR: | The women’s steeplechase is a relatively new event. How is it being one of the trailblazers that can inspire the next generation of girls? |
| JB | Run faster! Ha-ha! No, really, on top of always trying to be at the top of my game, I also want to display a positive attitude and character of integrity that women can follow and be proud of. It’s more than just a sport, people really do watch and care what athletes do on and off the track. |
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| GCR: | What does your future hold in the next few years in track events other than the steeplechase? |
| JB | You’ll have to ask Coach Wetmore about the next year or so. He’s the mastermind of this operation. But I do look forward to racing a 5k and mile again. |
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| GCR: | Success in racing has come to you at a relatively young age. After wrapping up your collegiate eligibility at Colorado, do you foresee a lengthy professional running career? |
| JB | I love what I do and I’m lucky that I’m good at it. I’ll do this as long as I can continue to love it and be good at it I expect if I’m smart my body will break down before my passion does. |
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| GCR: | How important is it for you to have a balance between your athletic pursuits, family, education, church and charity work? |
| JB | It is extremely important. I don’t just run, eat, run, sleep and repeat. I am involved in my school, church and I have a social life with friends and family. I work for a refugee ministry, am a double major, attend a weekly Bible study, run at least 9 miles a day, have a boyfriend and have people over for socializing and dinner as often as possible. Notice, running is in the middle of everything. |
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| GCR: | If you look forward what would a wonderful life include for Jenny Barringer? |
| JB | Nine hours of sleep every night, a good dog, and tons of books. |
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| | Inside Stuff |
| Hobbies/Interests | Playing piano, sign language and volunteer work |
| Nicknames | Puddles is a duck, not me |
| Favorite movies | ‘Stranger than Fiction,’ ‘Once,’ ‘Out of Africa,’ ‘Tommy Boy,’ ‘Ice Age’ and ‘Monsters Inc.’ |
| Favorite TV shows | West Wing!!! |
| Favorite songs | Typically Classic Rock and random playlists my boyfriend makes me |
| Favorite books | Out of Africa, A Room of One’s Own, West with the Night, (oh man, this is hard because I read a lot) |
| First car | Pontiac (good ol’ American Car!!!) |
| Current car | same |
| Pets | Over my life I’ve had horses, dogs, a cat, bird, and most famously, a duck |
| Favorite meal | The next one. (And I’m not picky) |
| Favorite breakfast | Sugared cereal if I can get away with it |
| Favorite beverages | Water |
| First running memory | : Lawton Elementary mile! I was in about third grade and raced in a pair of Keds. In a photo finish I got gypped and came in second place and have spent the rest of my running making up for it |
| Greatest running moment | Too many to list |
| Worst running moment | Any time I have an injury |
| Childhood dreams | Go to the Olympics as an equestrian competitor |
| Funny memories | I had the worst pasta meal of my life in Italy |
| Embarrassing moment | Every time I try to buy groceries or gas in Europe. I always do something wrong. |
| Favorite places to travel | Switzerland and Florida |
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