Phoebe Wright races past former Tennessee teammate Chanelle Price at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene Oregon. Contributed Photo.
Phoebe Wright was a walk on at the University of Tennessee, but she has become a national champion at the 800m and American record holder in the 4x800m. She could not have done it by herself, having trained with the likes of Chanelle Price at Tennessee she has been aided in her ascent to the top. Without the running community she would not have made have made it to where she is now. Phoebe has done a lot to help the greater running as well. Leading local runs and authoring a blog that seems to go viral in the community are among her off the track contributions to the sport. Arizona Milesplit had the opportunity sit down with her and chat about the community aspect of running.
Arizona Milesplit: How is the greater running community helpful?
Phoebe Wright: Not only does running help the community grow together but it is a social thing. It is so great to be out there and go jogging with people. You get to know the people around you that way. I know when I retire I am going to continue to run. It’s not because I love to hurt, but you get to meet and inspire people. I think runners should be starting running groups at the local store or something. Every week I go out and meet up with people at the local track. You can really be ambassadors of the sport.
AZ MS: How about a team helpful to running?
Phoebe: From an individual perspective there are runners that thrive individually and ones that thrive with teams. I know I thrive with teams. It helps when there are other people out there. People tend to do better when there is a common cause they can all rally behind. I know running on a college team was the best memories of my life. It’s not always the races either, it’s the game nights or just going out to dinner, your teammates are your friends.
From a growth of the sports perspective it helps the community get behind a group. I know being here in Seattle I am a Mariners fan, you have to be. I couldn’t name a single player on their team though. Most runners have a 4 year career, some are lucky and can do another Olympics cycle, but there are just too many individuals to keep up with. Teams are about community.
AZ MS: How does a team help you benefit?
Phoebe: Everyone can benefit from being on a team, everyone has personality with both a good side and a bad side. Even though you are all competing with each other you learn to work together. A group of people working together is a unique thing to be a part of, one person can bring it down, but one person can bring it up too. You learn to take things in stride and develop both as an individual and as a group.
When Chanelle won worlds I cried. She had a really rough five years leading up to that. Being her teammate I know the back story behind it. She worked hard and wasn’t a baby about it. She had helped and supported me so much even when things weren’t working out the way she had wanted them too. Even just handling setbacks can teach you how to better handle future setbacks later in life.
(Editor’s note: Phoebe’s collegiate teammate Chanelle Price was the 2014 World Indoor Champion in the 800m)
AZ MS: Your teammates really become your best friends?
Phoebe: Totally! They are my best friends, I am going to a wedding of one of my high school friends here soon. Being in the tranches really teaches you something. Hard workouts to dinner parties, you just can’t beat it. You get ultimate friendships. Running is hard enough you have to learn how to problem solve and enjoy it and see the positive in people.
AZ MS: How did you pick your college team? If you could do it again what would you change?
Phoebe: I was a different situation. I was a walk on. I wanted to run at a big program and I didn’t want to incur a lot of school debt so that left with only one option—Tennessee. I got really lucky, Tennessee was the best. Knowing what I know now I’d focus on the culture of the team. Can you see yourself hanging out with them every day? Academics are important too, but as far as track goes make you sure you enjoy the team or you will just be miserable for four years. You have to love the environment, its who you are around every day. Don’t think about where will make you the fastest, choose an environment and that will lead to results. When you work hard and have pride in what you are doing and who you are with, and are focused you will be at your best.
AZ MS: What advice do you have for younger runners?
Phoebe: Keep perspective day to day. It might be great, it might be terrible, but just remember to zoom out. Look at where you started. Look at where you are and where you are going. Problems in the grand scheme of things are often small. It is easy to focus on the problem and have a self-pity party, but there is no reason to. Keep perspective and take each day in stride.