Paul Springer says what he's gonna run,
and runs what he says. Any questions?
Paul Springer never exaggerates. Sometimes to others it may sound that way, but if you look at his recent history, he is right on. He said he would break 15 minutes at Lehigh in the District 1 Championship. He ran 14:47. He said he would be a Foot Locker Finalist. He was. And heading into the PTFCA Indoor Championships, he said he would set a meet record for the mile. He did.
So where does this confidence come from? Well, it begins from within, of course... but it also comes from a process and an approach to the sport he has embraced from his coach of two years, Bill Moss. Moss can easily be mistaken for one of the athletes (I did the first time I met him). But his wisdom about what not to do... which he has translated into what to do, is well beyond his years.
The central theme has to be trust. He trusts his runner with knowledge. "I wasn't always real happy with any of the coaches I ever had, so I always make sure that Paul knows what we're doing and why we're doing it." That applies to the number of races. To the selection of races. To the type of work for the specific season. And it's a two-way street, Morris says. "Paul has his opinions, and we talk about it. He has taught me a lot about running."
The record that Springer was going for was a 4:13.98 that had been set by Cardinal O'Hara grad Sean Duffy in 2001. Duffy went on to become a two-time all-American who has run the 1500 at sub-4:00 pace.
Springer's confidence was up in large part because of the 8:32.07 3000 he had run on February 10 at the PTFCA Carnival. "After that, I knew I was at another level of fitness this year."
Springer led through the 400 in 66, a time that was obviously off pace for the record. He continued to lead, and came through the half in 2:09.5. At 1200 meters, Avonworth/Northgate's Lucas Zarzeczny took the lead, a move that Springer was more than happy to have. While it was a surprise, Weller says "it was a good surprise. It actually helped a lot. I ran off him."
With 200 to go, Morris signaled for him that he needed to pick it up. Springer looked over and smiled. "When he smiles," Morris says, "I know he's having a good race."
Springer had surged just before the 1400 mark and steadily pulled away. "With about 40 meters to go, I looked up on the scoreboard and saw 8:08, so I thought I better hurry it up and get it in."
He did. And 4:12.61 was the new record. "Lucas picking it up with 600 to go helped a lot. I don't think I would have gotten it without him."
For the record, Springer's 1200 was 3:12.2. But after the 400, his final 1200 meters of the race was even more impressive at 3:06.
And that negative split reflects more of the philosophy of Morris, who says he divides races into sections. "There are three parts – hard, steady and very comfortable. And you can use those in any order."
His opinion is that he would rather have a runner go out slowly, run steadily and then nail the finish. "That is exactly what he did. A perfectly executed race."
Springer announced last week that he had chosen to attend Notre Dame, a school where former PA state champs have found success (Stephanie Madia, North Allegheny 2002; Jake Walker, Ellwood City 2006). Springer's goal for the next three years is to work toward joining Duffy at under 4:00 in the mile. "That Notre Dame track is one you can fly on."
But first, there's the next race, and the next prediction – based on workouts and communication with his coach, of course. And that is to set the NSIC 5000 meter record in New York in mid-March by running between 14:20 and 14:30. That would also break the all-time prep indoor record of 14:29.28 run by Brad Hudson of South Eugene OR on 12/20/.84 in Princeton, New Jersey.
Any doubters?
Oh, and Springer PRed in the 800 later in the meet, finishing 12th in 1:57.59.
