• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home IAAF

Matt Centrowitz: A Miler with great form and strong elbows, by Larry Eder

Larry EderbyLarry Eder
February 6, 2015
0
0 0
0
SHARES
4
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

2011 AO Summer .png
Matt Centrowitz, Athletes Only, Summer 2011  cover, photo by PhotoRun.net

In June 2011, Matt Centrowitz, a senior at the University of Oregon, won the 1,500 meters at the NCAA quite convincingly, with a kick that showed, no matter how close his competition, that there was one winner that day. This was just weeks after winning his third Pac-10 title on May 14. 

For many collegiates, the excellent adventure would have been over, but not for Matthew Centrowtiz. 

On June 25, Matthew Centrowtiz (pictured above) won the 2011 USA Outdoor title at 1,500 meters with a field that would have made others wet themselves. Centrowtiz that day possessed the quiet confidence and grace under pressure that makes him a medal contender in global championships….


On September 3, 2011, Matt Centrowitz found himself in the final of the World Championships in Daegu, Korea. Well, correct that, he did not find himself there-he made the damn final. Centrowitz earned that final. But he was not done. 

RelatedPosts

2024 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS – MARATHON QUALIFICATIONS, from USATF website

Raul Guideo Guidobaldi stadium (Rieti, Italy) to have new CONICA track in 2023!

Coffee With Larry, Peachtree sign ups begin today, Eilish McColgan speaks, GAM media conference, why it’s so important, a new track at Stadio Olimpico Roma!

In watching Fermin Cacho, the 1992 Olympic gold medalist in Barcelona, I wrote in my notes that the famed Spaniard had eyes in the back of his head. That is one of the highest compliments that can give a miler, who has to be both street fighter, tactician and supremely confident. 
I will go one step further with Matthew Centrowitz: Centrowitz remembers that a race is not over until AFTER the finish line. 
In Daegu, Matt Centrowitz stormed to third in the last ten meters of the race, where people are trying to not fall apart, Centrowitz had the presence of mind to race through the tape, nabbing the bronze medal. 
163957250DP141_IAAF_Day_in_.jpg
A Day in the Life,  Matthew Centrowitz, April 2013, 
photo by Doug Pensinger/IAAF/Getty Images
I remember speaking to Vinn Lannana, AD at Oregon, who gave kudos to Andy Powell for his work with Matt Centrowitz. 
In London 2012, Centrowitz moved to the next level and just missed a medal, taking fourth. 
The World Championships in Moscow were another battleground. Centrowitz knew that Asbel Kiprop, 2011 World Champ, would be the man to watch. Championship 1,500 meters are a series of races. The first 400 to 800 meters is how the finalists position themselves and check each other out, with few wanting to lead. Then, from 800 meters on, it is anyone’s guess. Asbel Kiprop, he of the amazingly long legs and even more astounding stride, took off in the third lap as the last 800 meters took one minute and forty-seven seconds to cover. Kiprop took off, and Centrowitz stayed there.
I remember watching in Moscow, and hoping Matthew could medal as he stayed out of trouble, and moved closer and closer. While the last lap looked smooth from the stands, it was horrendous, with several pace changes and several near collisions. But Centrowitz had battled the field and moved up one position from Daegu-to silver! 
His 2014 season was stops and starts. A very long and difficult sickness in February was rumored to be much more sinister, due to social media’s ability to eat the same people it idolizes. 
163957250DP164_IAAF_Day_in_.jpg
A Day in the Life,  Matthew Centrowitz, April 2013, 
photo by Doug Pensinger/IAAF/Getty Images

Centrowitz, once healthy in 2014, set some fun prs in 2014. His 800 meters was reduced to 1:46.12, his mile to 3:50.53, his 5,000 meters to 13:20.06. He left the best for the Monaco GP, where Centrowitz ran 3:31.09, his best at the 1,500 meters by a full second! 
“Before this season, Alberto and I sat down to talk about 2015. My 5k PR is not far off from what the others can run. My PR in the 800 meters obviously needs a lot of work. Running the 10000 meters is about footspeed. The indoor season is about running a lot of fast times and making sure all is ready for the outdoor season.” is how Matt Centrowitz sums it all up. 

163957250DP160_IAAF_Day_in_.jpg

A Day in the Life,  Galen Rupp & Matthew Centrowitz, April 2013, 
photo by Doug Pensinger/IAAF/Getty Images

Opening with a fine 2:49 for the 1,200 meters, Centrowitz opened Team USA’s bid for the Distance Medley WR in fine fashion, last weekend at the Armory Track Invitational. The 9:19.93 (Matthew Centrowtiz, Mike Berry, Eric Sowkinski, Pat Casey) time broke the WR by six seconds.

When queried about the 1200 meter leg, Centrowitz responded, ” I should have run a little faster.” 
A writer asked Matthew Centrowitz about his fine form and little wasted motion. Matthew Centrowitz responded in Centrowitz style : ” I have been given a gift of comfortable relaxed form!” 

Centrowitz ran 4:10.85 in 2007, taking second in the junior National Mile. In 2012, he was seventh in the 3000 meters in 7:46.19. 

A high school career of successful racing (his 8:41.55 win in National Indoors, where he negative splitted, is considered one of prep track history’s great races. His father, Matt Centrowitz, coach at American University, was a two time Olympian, who raced fearlessly (setting AR of 13:12.91, probably his greatest race ever). Matthew Jr’s sister, Lauren, competed at Stanford and ran in the 2012 Olympic Trials. 

Matthew Centrowitz has been coached by Alberto Salazar since he went pro in 2012. I remember heading back from Hengelo in May 2012, and Dathan Ritzenhein, then with Nike Oregon Project, telling me how impressed he was with Matthew Centrowtiz. “The guy has tal
ent.” 

Going back to early 2013, when Matthew Centrowitz won the mile at the Reggie Lewis center, his 3:56.26 did not impress-it was, as always, his racing style. With fine form and well honed elbows, gifts of many years of racing the boards, Matthew Centrowitz does not ask for respect in the world of elite middle distance running, he earns it. 

We look forward to his race on the new Reggie Lewis Mondo 200 meter oval tomorrow night, Saturday, February 7, 2015. 

Centrowitz_MatthewFHL-NBind13.JPG
Matthew Centrowtiz wins 2013 NB Indoor GP, photo by PhotoRun.net

Author

  • Larry Eder
    Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

    View all posts

Previous Post

Jenny Simpson looks for the perfect sixteen laps on Saturday (thats’ 2 miles), at NB Indoor GP, by Larry Eder

Next Post

HOKA ONE ONE Signs on as Title Sponsor of Northern Arizona Elite, release, intro from Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

Similar Post

Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs, Day 2: Gidey wins a dramatic women 10,000m final

As the outdoor season gets into full swing, the battle for the fastest man in the world this year gets tougher!

March 25, 2023
Aleia Hobbs sets AR at 60 meters, Sam Prakel doubles at 1,500m/3,000m, Joe Kovacs gets first indoor title, on Day 3 of the 2023 USATF Indoor Champs!

2023 RunBlogRun Spring Training for Middle Distances, 800 meters to 5,000 meters, Week 2, Day 6, a day at the races…

March 25, 2023
For Shoe Geeks, the Brooks Hyperion Max, great fast ride, great road shoe for the new age…
Reviews

For Shoe Geeks, the Brooks Hyperion Max, great fast ride, great road shoe for the new age…

March 25, 2023
For Shoe Geeks, the New Balance 1080 Fresh Foam, great ride, great cushioning
Running Shoes

For Shoe Geeks, the New Balance 1080 Fresh Foam, great ride, great cushioning

March 25, 2023
Raul Guideo Guidobaldi stadium (Rieti, Italy) to have new CONICA track in 2023!

Coffee With Larry, Goteborg 1995, My first World Champs, good media relationship, Peachtree Road Race, 60 % of Pre Classic tickets sold in one day!

March 25, 2023
Jesse Williams answers 7 questions from RunBlogRun on THE TEN (event sponsored by On running)

2023 RunBlogRun Spring Training for Middle Distances, Week Two, Day Five, and we take a recovery day

March 25, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

July 5, 2022
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

July 17, 2022
Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

November 18, 2022

(RBR Archives) Coaching 101: Warm Up & Cool Down for the Jumps, by Roy Stevenson, note by Larry Eder

April 1, 2022
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

5
TCS New York City Marathon Broadcast to be Available in More Than 530 Million Homes Around the World on Sunday, November 6

RunblogRun Editorial: The Sorry State of Running Television Coverage, by Peter Abraham, note by Larry Eder

4
2022 Munich Diary, Day Five, a Great Friday Night

2023 European Athletics Indoor Champs, The Women’s 60m, who will win the final tonight?

4
Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs, Day 2: Gidey wins a dramatic women 10,000m final

As the outdoor season gets into full swing, the battle for the fastest man in the world this year gets tougher!

March 25, 2023
Aleia Hobbs sets AR at 60 meters, Sam Prakel doubles at 1,500m/3,000m, Joe Kovacs gets first indoor title, on Day 3 of the 2023 USATF Indoor Champs!

2023 RunBlogRun Spring Training for Middle Distances, 800 meters to 5,000 meters, Week 2, Day 6, a day at the races…

March 25, 2023
For Shoe Geeks, the Brooks Hyperion Max, great fast ride, great road shoe for the new age…

For Shoe Geeks, the Brooks Hyperion Max, great fast ride, great road shoe for the new age…

March 25, 2023
For Shoe Geeks, the New Balance 1080 Fresh Foam, great ride, great cushioning

For Shoe Geeks, the New Balance 1080 Fresh Foam, great ride, great cushioning

March 25, 2023

Popular Stories

  • USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

    Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • (RBR Archives) Coaching 101: Warm Up & Cool Down for the Jumps, by Roy Stevenson, note by Larry Eder

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The curious case of Sha’Carri Richardson: How can the sprinter turn around her career?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Recent Tweets

RunBlogRun Follow

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. RunBlogRun is the voice of the sport.

RunBlogRun
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
15h

This is the review of the Brooks Hyperion Max training shoe for #ForShoeGeeks, by #RunBlogRun, https://bit.ly/3z2V84f , #brooksrunning, #hyperionmax, #runhappy, #tracklife, #trackandfield, #runningcommunity, #runningshoes, #runningshoereview,

Reply on Twitter 1639463192287133697 Retweet on Twitter 1639463192287133697 Like on Twitter 1639463192287133697 2 Twitter 1639463192287133697
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
15h

This is the review of the #NewBalance1080, #freshfoam, by #TheShoeGeeks,
https://bit.ly/3FPQPx4, #shoereviews, #runningnetwork, #runblogrun, #newbalance, #runningcommuninity, #runningshoes, #newbalancerunning,

Reply on Twitter 1639460305318334465 Retweet on Twitter 1639460305318334465 Like on Twitter 1639460305318334465 1 Twitter 1639460305318334465
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
16h

This is Coffee With Larry for Friday, March 24, 2023, https://bit.ly/3FRLWU6, #peachtreeroadrace, #adidasrunning, #worldchamps, #asicsrunning, #worldathletics,

Reply on Twitter 1639446531995758593 Retweet on Twitter 1639446531995758593 Like on Twitter 1639446531995758593 Twitter 1639446531995758593
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
17h

Today is a recovery day, and you will enjoy it! https://bit.ly/3TPEqyU , Workout for 2023 RunBlogRun Spring Training Week 2, Day 5, and we take a recovery day! #track, #trackandfield, #tracklife, #TheTEN, #soundrunning,

Reply on Twitter 1639439220019453952 Retweet on Twitter 1639439220019453952 Like on Twitter 1639439220019453952 Twitter 1639439220019453952
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
17h

Noah Lyles was a busy guy in Vegas! @lylesnoah, @adidasrunning, @gamupdates, @LanceBrauman, @PUREathletic

RunBlogRun @RunBlogRun

Did interview @lylesnoah on Thursday! Watch for 2 interviews coming with Noah on #runblogrun! He was very busy during the @gamupdates medai/business conference, with a 12 plus interviews, 4 podcasts, training, @adidasrunning, #kevinmorris, #gucci, @pureathletic, @lancebrauman

Reply on Twitter 1639434289396719616 Retweet on Twitter 1639434289396719616 Like on Twitter 1639434289396719616 Twitter 1639434289396719616
Load More...
Next Post

HOKA ONE ONE Signs on as Title Sponsor of Northern Arizona Elite, release, intro from Larry Eder

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist