The "TJ" in TJ Hobart actually stands for Thomas John. But it just as well could stand for "Turbo Jet."
You see, TJ has wheels. And we're not talking your average distance guy speed. TJ has split 47-point in the 4x400 and split 1:52.3 in the 4x800. Word is he once dipped into the 1:51 range.
(Hobart sits for six laps before unleashing a closing 62 (33-29) to win the Bishop Loughlin Games - Photo by Tim Fulton, ArmoryTrack.com)
Suffice it to say that it is precisely those wheels that make the Baldwin senior a miler with incredible potential. Potential he has already begun to reach.
There are quite a few runners in western PA who can attest to the fact that when TJ is sitting on you in a mile, and there are 300 meters to go, that he'll explode to a close that will put the race away before the final turn.
The latest runners to see TJ's ability to burst at the close of a mile are Kevin Byrne of Red Bank Catholic, NJ and Marco Bertolotti of Port Washington, NY.
(Hobart starts his move on the seventh lap
- Photo by Tim Fulton, ArmoryTrack.com)
TJ went past Byrne before the start of the final lap at the Bishop Loughlin Games mile at the New York Armory, and closed in a 29 second 200 to PR indoors at 4:20.65. That was over a second-and-a-half under his indoor PR set at the 2008 PTFCA Indoor State Championships. In 2008 outdoor he dipped his PR to 4:12.09 for the 1600.
The goal for this indoor season that Hobart and his coach Rich Wright have set is to garner one of those rare invitations to the prestigious Millrose Mile, set for Friday, January 30th at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Saturday's race at the Armory – TJ's first venture to the storied facility – was part of the plan. He'll look to lower that time at the Montgomery Invitational at the Prince George facility in Landover, Maryland on January 10th. Qualifying performances close a week later.
TJ sounded like the guy with a confident kick as he talked about his PR and win at Bishop Loughlin. "I tried to stay relaxed, and sat in 5th most of the race... and then moved into 2nd or 3rd with 400 to go."
(By the start of the final lap, Hobart has the lead for good
- Photo by Tim Fulton, ArmoryTrack.com)
But Byrne had ideas of making his move at that point as well, and took the lead entering the 7th lap with TJ responding immediately to the move. Heading around to the straight-away with about 250 meters to go, TJ took the lead. "At that point, I wasn't going to let anyone beat me."
According to Wright, that's exactly what his senior's demeanor looked like. "He looked comfortable, and the other runners near him looked like they were struggling. TJ definitely looked like he was running within himself."
Hobart's splits were even, with a 33.11 on the opening, 'longer' 200, followed by 33.67. 32.97. 33.11 coming through the 800 around 2:13-point. From there he went negative, with a 32.74, 33.05, and a closing 62-second quarter, fueled in large part by a blazing 29-point final lap.
Wright says he was thrilled with the race, especially since they have done no speed work.... just a few workouts to get the legs moving. "We have to take advantage of every warm day we have (in western PA)."
Hobart also has team goals both indoor and outdoor to go with his focus on the mile. In fact, the team has yet to decide whether they have a stronger DMR than their usually strong 4x800. But all that will be decided on the track and in workouts.
Until then, it looks like TJ's indoor season is off to a quick start... made even quicker by wheels any miler would love to have.
4:20.65 US#1