It’s been quite a year for Paul Zeman (Jr., Belvidere North) thus far. After picking up his first individual state title in the fall, where he won the Illinois State 2A Cross Country Championship title, as well as leading his team to the state team title, Zeman went on to finish top 15 at the Midwest Nike Cross Nationals Regional, proving he was not only one of the top juniors in the state, but the region as well.
Then came Nike Indoor Nationals two weeks ago. After running an extremely efficient race, Zeman surged home to take the victory in the second heat of the boys two-mile, running a new personal best time of 9:21.01, and marking another big win on his running resume. Zeman’s impressive performance marks a trend of improvement time and again for the rising star. With a young team surrounding him, Zeman and Belvidere North seem poised to run well this spring, and make even more noise next fall.
Windy City Running caught up with Zeman this week, as he prepares for the Illinois Prep Top Times meet, where he’ll run both the 3,200m and 1,600m events. In the interview, Zeman chats about his NIN performance, his goals for the outdoor season, and being part of a strong and talented distance group.
An Interview with Paul Zeman
Windy City Running (WCR): First off, congratulations on your tremendous performance at Nike Indoor Nationals. How did that race play out for you? Did you feel you can achieve that time coming into the event?
Paul Zeman (PZ) Thank you. The race actually panned out perfectly for me. Before this last weekend I had never really gone out in a two-mile race faster than 4:50, but going out in 4:43 didn’t really feel bad at all, and allowed me to be able to come back my second mile faster in 4:38. This played to my strengths since all my best races come off of negative splits.
With the time thing, I didn’t expect to run 9:21 at all. I just wanted to break 9:30, because my PR before this race was 9:33.
WCR: This coming weekend you’ll be competing at the Illinois Prep Top Times meet. Which event(s) will you compete in? What are your expectations for yourself heading into the event?
PZ: This weekend I am competing in the 3200 and 1600. Heading into this event I am really focusing mainly on the 3200, since Clay (CJ) Elward just ran 9:15 this weekend. I am looking forward to running a fast time and not holding anything back to save my legs for the 1600, which will basically be run with what ever I have left after a fast time in the 3200.
So, I am just looking for a good time in the 3200 and to finish respectively in the mile, and get a little more experience racing in a fast 1600 after a hard 3200 effort since I will most likely be doubling 3200/1600 at outdoor state this year.
WCR: What type of training have you put in so far this season? Where has your training emphasis been?
PZ: I have just been doing base training, nothing too serious. I have been running around 45-50 mpw throughout the winter and the emphasis of my training is on tempo runs and long runs on Sundays.
WCR: With outdoors just around the corner, what are your goals for the outdoor season?
PZ: My goal at first coming into the season was to run under 9:15, but after last weekend I think I have the ability to go under 9:10. I am going to Arcadia on April 10th for the invitational they have there, and there are always a ton of guys under 9:10. I think there were almost 20 last year, so hopefully I can run a good race there and get a nice 2-mile time under my belt.
WCR: You are part of a tremendous team at Belvidere North. What’s it like being part of such a strong team, especially one that is still fairly young?
PZ: It’s really great being a part of such a great team at Belvidere North. We’re all close, and have been friends since elementary school. They help me out and are supportive, so that is always nice to have.
Although Belvidere is pretty small it has a really good running history with Don Volkey who ran 3:38 for 1500 and ran for Nike back in the 80’s, and is also the dad of Logan Volkey, who was are seventh man this year. Then their is Ron Wartgow who used to hold the state record for the mile in the late 70s in 4:07, and he was the coach of our youth cross country team for some time.
Then our coach now (Troy Yunk) was a good runner for Belvidere back in the 80’s, so it’s really nice to go to a school with all of these guys and keep making history for Belvidere.
WCR: Do you ever feel that because you’re in 2A that you get overlooked, or your team gets overlooked? Does this provide any extra motivation?
PZ: Well, I wouldn’t say that being in 2A makes our team get overlooked. I think we got quite a bit of attention this year and Dyestat did a really good job covering things. If anything, I just think that being in 2A makes people underestimate us. We just train hard, then when the meet day comes we race hard. Every one of us loves to run and it’s really nice to get attention and be recognized for your accomplishments, but in the end if we don’t get as much publicity as we think we deserve it doesn’t matter because we still did what we did.
On an individual basis for me, I just want to be the best. Ever since I was younger, I couldn’t stand losing. Being in 2A doesn’t really make me overlooked I don’t think, because it’s not like I only race 2A guys all year. That’s why when I go to bigger meets, like Nike Indoor and later on Arcadia, I really hope to show good times so that I can prove to myself and everyone else that I have at least some talent and a future in this sport.
Quick Six
WCR: Favorite pre-race food?
PZ: Golden Grahams cereal
WCR: Shoes you race in?
PZ: Nike Ventulus 2
WCR: Favorite band?
PZ: Dave Matthews Band
WCR: Car you drive?
PZ: An Impala
WCR: Favorite movie?
PZ: I don’t really have one I will watch just about anything
WCR: Any superstitions?
PZ: Never eat the last piece of pizza, it’s bad luck. My coach’s wife did and she got hit by a garbage truck the next day.
