AZ Track and Field Watch List

Mar 04, 2013

Photo by Margot Kelly

As the 2013 Track and Field season gets underway, we will be highlighting some of the top athletes in each event.

Ethan Homan kicks off our 2013 Track and Field season. Ethan is the top returning 800 runner in the state. During the "Meet of Champions" meet last May, Ethan as a junior ran a 1:51.85 finishing 2nd to Senior David Graham 1:51.59. Graham is running for BYU and has a current PR of 1:50.11. Ethan will be running for Boston University in the fall.

Journal Questions:

Name: Ethan Homan (Ethan's profile)

High School: Cactus Shadows

Year of Graduation: 2013

Track and Field PR's:

400: 50:35

800: 1:51.85

1600: 4:22.45

When did you first get involved with track and field? How long have you been running:

I got involved in track in middle school, but running has really become a lifestyle since my sophomore year.

What is a typical training week like for you?

During the off-season a typical week included speed, strength and threshold workouts, along with a long run and a couple light/recovery days. During the season I don’t hit all of those elements during each one week cycle, but mileage stays similar (45 per week when I’m healthy).

What are your goals for the upcoming track season?

I’d really like to defend Cactus Shadow’s 4x800m title at state this year, and I’d like to get individual win in the 800m at state as well. There are also a few guys this year who are capable of, and probably have their eye on, the state record in the 800m. I hope to get in a race with some of those guys and get after it.

How do you prepare yourself mentally for a race? Do you have any superstitions?

I don’t have any special pre-race rituals or anything, but I think that mental preparation can be important. I try not to get too hyped up about a race until I’m warming up or about to get on the line, so I can put all of that energy to work in the race.

What does your season look like and will you be competing in any out of state track meets during the season or post high school season?

My season is structured this year like it has been the past few with the state meet hopefully being where I am at my fastest. As far as I know, all my competition will be local.

What message would you tell younger runners who aspire to be at the top?

Running (especially distance running) is all about patience. If you stay healthy, stay coachable, take advantage of the off-season, and get things like sleep, diet, etc. right, you’ll continue to improve.

If you had to attribute your success to one thing, what would it be?

Definitely not myself. It’s really been a matter of the right people and coaches coming into my life at the right time, and I’ve been given the right tools physically to be able to take advantage of that.

Do you have role models or mentors in track and field?

Lopez Lomong is a guy who is so humble about the gifts he has and he is all about developing them as far as he can, he’s been a real inspiration.

How many events do you compete in and which event is your favorite?

I have competed from 400m up to 3200m, but my favorite is distance is 800m.

What are 3 things we don't know about you?

I’ve seen basically every episode of The Colbert Report that’s aired since my freshman year.
I have run exactly 1 race with my shorts backwards.
When I was 10 I ate a sheep’s ear during a banquet in Kazakhstan.

Quick 7:

Favorite Pre-race Meal?

Pasta or cereal has worked well. I like to have a banana when it’s a little closer to race time also.

Favorite TV show or movie?

The Office

Favorite Meet?

Scottsdale Distance Classic at Saguaro, it’s an evening meet, good competition, great track, and no endless heats of 200’s to sit through.

Celebrity Crush?

T-Swift, obviously.

Perfect temperature to compete in?

Probably in the low 70’s, I like to be able to wear sweats up until it’s time to get on the line.