by Jeff Benjamin
Edinburgh Cross Country, Garrett Heath, photo from Facebook page of Garrett Heath
Garrett Heath is one of the finest distance runners in the U.S. A nine time All American while at Stanford, Garrett has PBs of 3:34.12 at 1,500m, 13:16.31 for 5000m and 27:56.11 at 10,000m. Garrett has a mile pb of 3:53.15. Danny Mackey, his coach at Brooks Beast once told me that Garrett’s Vo2 max, which is huge, suggests that he will do well over 25 laps. Garrett grimaced at that.
We thank Garrett Heath for speaking with Jeff Benjamin on training in this difficult time.
The Baton In The Relay Exchange Zone – Profiles Of Athletes, Coaches & Legends During The War Against Corona
Profile # 28
Top BROOKS American Distance Runner Garret Heath
By Jeff Benjamin
1. How is your daily training routine doing and how challenging has it been for you in this environment?
It’s a very weird time for everyone. I’ve tried to keep my daily routine as consistent as possible to keep some normalcy in life, but maintaining focus has admittedly been hard at times with all racing on hold, no team practices, and reading about all the people’s lives around the country that are being impacted in much more severe ways than our own.
All of the uncertainty has been the hardest because you don’t know if you’re training for something in 2 months, 4 months, or 12 months down the road. And what that means for your career as a whole. For better or worse, this is the best I’ve felt in training in almost two years, so even though I don’t know when, or if, I’ll have a chance to use this fitness, I’ve been trying to stay positive around just being healthy and fit again.
I’ve stayed motivated and sane the past few weeks thanks to a handful of things –
I’ve been quarantined with brother, Elliott, and being able to train with him on a daily basis again for the first time in years has been great.
WALKS. I’ve always hated walks so never thought I’d say thing, but I’ve been getting so pent up sitting in the house all the time right now that I’ve gotta get outside to do something! It’s a love/hate relationship.
Zoooooom!! – We zoomed in the Beasts team for a mini core session and catchup last week. It wasn’t much, but just some minimal face time with the crew again was great.”
2. What advice can you give to runners, -especially youth, high school, collegiate- who are challenged during this time as well.
Garrett Heath, in a less complicated time, photo from Facebook page of Garrrett Heath
“Focus your energy into the things you can control – You may not be able to race in the next few weeks like you had originally thought or get in the gym anymore, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create challenges or goals to train for with the options you do have. Or maybe it’s a good time to hone in that part of your training that you’ve never had time for….core?…better home cooked meals? Be creative!
Find ways to still connect with your friends and community for activity – whether it’s some zoom core sessions, virtual community runs where you log your miles together, chasing segments on Strava, or following along with a training video online — this can all help keep the focus.
Be thankful for what you have – racing is ultimately pretty minimal next to many of the issues being dealt with across the world right now. Be thankful for your family, friends, health, and ability to test your body in the ways you can!”
