Five Questions for Coach Matt Centrowitz

L-R
Coach Matt Centrowitz, Former American University Star Jeff Brannigan, Runblogrun’s Jeff Benjamin
Olympic Champion Matthew Centrowitz. Note- After much Pleading, Matthew gave the OK for Jeff Benjamin to wear the 2016 Rio Gold Medal, but only for a few minutesðŸ˜€!! “Hey–it was the only chance I’d ever get,” said Benjamin!
Pic Courtesy of Wayne Baker

This is a quick series of five questions with Coach/Father/ former AR 5000m, Matt Centrowitz. Matt is coaching a summer camp next month. We suggest teams attending a camp each summer, a great way to bring the team together.

Five Quick Questions For Coach Matt Centrowitz

By Jeff Benjamin

Coach Centrowitz is getting ready! With his son Matthew’s great comeback victory last week in the USATF 1500, the Coach is already planning ahead for a successful 2018 for his Olympic Champion son.

Here are 5 quick questions which were posed to the Coach.

RunBlogRun, 1. How are you and Matthew feeling after last week?

“We feel great! My son feels great! We are in the process of getting into meets, hopefully Morocco (July 13^th) but it’s not 100% yet.”

RunBlogRun, 2. Did you tinker and change any workouts from 2017 to 2018?

Matt Centrowitz: “Every year there are changes. Matthew moved back east this past year, so in a way it was a different environment for him, with different teammates and routines. But he definitely missed competing, and really needed the extra work.”

RunBlogRun, 3. What do the plans look like through September?

Matt Centrowitz: “There aren’t many 1500 races left on the Diamond League circuit, there are maybe 2 left and that’s it. So we might find an 800. Matthew also loves racing in New York City, so we hope to be at the 5^th Avenue Mile (September 9^th).”

RunBlogRun, 4. There’s been a lot of things brewing about your Autobiography, “Like Father, Like Son”. Can you share any news with us?

Matthew Centrowitz: “Sure! The book’s been selling well and there’s lots of interest in it, especially from movie people. We’re working on a choice of Directors and we’re hoping for a made for TV, Netflix kind of film hopefully.”

RunBlogRun, 5. “What kind of advice can you give to young runners?

Matt Centrowitz: “First you have to listen to your coach. Too many coaches is not good. There’s also too much information out there. You can’t have more than one chef in a kitchen. If the kid wants to run more miles a good coach will gradually let them. You can supplement some things and most importantly every athletes’ program should be personalized. Things don’t always work the same for everyone.”

Bell Lap- To order “Like Father, Like Son” go to –

https://www.amazon.com/Like-Father-Son-Coaching-Parenting/dp/1542655048

-Coach Centrowitz also hosts a summer running camp with a top-notch staff . The American

Running Camp takes place in Portsmouth, Rhode Island from July 30^th – August 4^th and is open

to runners of ALL ages and abilities. For further information go to https://www.americanrunningcamp.com

Author

Jeff Benjamin

Jeff Benjamin has written for 30 years for American Track and Field along with RunBlogRun. The Former President of the Staten Island AC & Chair of the Staten Island Running Association was the 5th man scorer for his Susan Wagner High School NYC XC City Championship team. Also a member of the College of Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame for XC, Jeff currently serves as the LDR Chairman for USATF NY. A passionate (or fanatical) follower of the Sport, some of Jeff's subjects have included Sebastian Coe, Emma Coburn, Eamonn Coghlan, Matt Centrowitz, Jim Spivey, Galen Rupp, Joe Newton, Tom Fleming, Ajee’ Wilson, Bill Rodgers, Allan Webb, Abel Kiviat, Jordan Hassay, Marty Liquori, Caster Semenya, Rod Dixon, Carl Lewis and Jim Ryun as well as Book Reviews and articles covering meets and races in the Northeast U.S.

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