Interview with Drew Hunter

Hey Drew, welcome to The Hammer! How are you feeling after your race at the NYC Grand Prix?

Feeling a little disappointed but not discouraged. I came into this weekend trying to win and thought that was a doable and realistic goal. So, coming up short with a 4th place finish isn’t exactly how I envisioned a successful weekend. But, I ran hard the last 300 meters and was happy with how I closed so if I can clean up some tactics I’ll be ready to go for the USA champs next week. I’m trying to walk away from every race with a positive mentality. It’s a long summer of racing so no point in getting too high or low right now.

Although you’re just 25, you’ve been at it for a while now. How are you approaching racing and training differently this year? Do you feel you’ve almost mastered the habits required to be great, or is there more to learn?

Sometimes it feels like I have been on the pro circuit forever and then I race like I ran this weekend and you would have thought this was my first race ever. I feel like I approached this year with a chip on my shoulder more than in previous years. I looked at this year as a great time to pour on momentum heading into 2024. I trained hard this fall/winter and felt I had some of the best preparation in years. However, the results haven’t exactly played out how I would have hoped. I’m trying to be positive about things and not get too bogged down by the mediocre results. I feel like all you can do in your running career is prepare as best you can and show up to the starting line with the belief that you’re getting the most out of yourself. Nothing is guaranteed. That’s what makes this sport exciting!

What’s the best advice you’ve gotten from another pro?

Ooof. Great question. Early on in my career, I spent lots of time with some great mentors and pros. Some of my favorite advice was from my good friend, Cory Leslie. I call it the “eat the cookie” advice. My first year as a pro I was anxious, had major imposter syndrome, and wasn’t enjoying running as much as I have in the past. I started rooming with Cory at races and every lunch before a race he would get a chocolate chip cookie. As a neurotic and insecure runner, I was baffled that he was eating such “garbage” before races. He quickly taught me that stressing over those little things was a recipe for not only a miserable running career but didn’t help me run any better. While I still get nervous on the starting line, I don’t place little things at the forefront of my mind. Showing up calm and confident is a better recipe for success. The moral of the story is if you’re pouring your stress into stuff that doesn’t actually matter, take a step back and reflect on all the things you can control and let that process unfold.

You and your wife recently had a baby girl! Has having a child made you think about your career any differently?

It definitely puts things in perspective. I can show up to races and give it my all knowing that win or lose, I have a family that doesn’t care. I think sometimes people think that having a child will hamper your progress or hinder your ability to be the best athlete you can be. I disagree—my running “why” has never felt more stable.

I know from training with you that you’re incredibly motivated by making a US team. What other things inspire you in the sport?

I have no idea how much longer I’ll be doing this. The Olympics are next year, and then we have another 4-year push to LA. I would love to run that long but as I said earlier, nothing in this sport is handed to you on a silver platter. I have to earn the right to continue being a professional athlete. I also have to find things that make me feel like a rookie every year. I don’t want to be that salty old dog doing the same things year in and year out until I’m 35. I want to help leave Tinman Elite in a better place than when I started it. So, having a great group of young guys and girls excited about running heading into 2028 is what keeps me jacked for our sport and my own running career.

Unfortunately, you were one of the first people out of the US finals in the 1500m last year in Eugene. What’d you take away from that race, and what advice do you have for others that may have to compete in rounds down the line?

Rounds are tough. I’m almost always more nervous for rounds than the final. Last year taught me that I need to be better and on my A-game year-round. I simply wasn’t good enough to make that final and we’re more prepared this time around. I don’t have any good advice on how to make rounds better. Maybe don’t be towards the back of the race and don’t be afraid to push from the front. Personally, I’m not gonna overcomplicate things and run just like I would any other race, and if that does the trick, great.

As a Hammer & Axe coach, what is your best advice for other coaches?

I get really nervous around people or coaches who say “This is the way.” Not necessarily! Athletes are humans and not robots. We’re affected by life and training loads completely differently than the guy next to us on the starting line. Just because Jakob Ingebritsen can run 120 miles a week and do double threshold every week doesn’t mean that will work for me. Focus on the fundamentals and don’t overthink the training. Trying to be as consistent with the 95% that matters the most is the name of the game.

Ok, last question. How have you been spending your free time lately? Any shows, books, or hobbies you’ve been liking?

Family days are ever so important right now and Sandy and I have been trying to soak up as much of the newborn phase with Ella as possible. We love pool days with our little lady and I have been trying to get back into a good routine of reading more. I was CRUSHING some Russian literature before Ella was born. Dyostoesky, Tolstoy, Mikhail Bulgakov, etc... and I loved that. Recently, Sandy and I have been trying to read the Bible (Starting with Matthew and the New Testament) every night and say the rosary after. This is one of my family activities and something I hope we can keep as a routine for as long as possible.

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Tip of the Month

After high school and college, many runners transition to longer events like the half-marathon, the marathon, and if you’re completely crazy, ultra marathons. So how do you prepare for that transition? Here’s some insight from Brian Barraza, primarily a 3000m steeplechaser who competed in the Houston Half Marathon this fall.

Giveaway

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