Over the past 20 years, there have been only a few high school boys distance programs that you can describe as being simply dominant.  One of those programs is Carmel High School in Indiana, where their strong tradition carries on, even after legendary coach Chuck Koeppen stepped down after last year.

Leading the charge for the Greyhounds, junior standout Chris Walden has taken his running talents to a whole new level this year, challenging for state titles, and earning Foot Locker All-American status this past fall with an 11^th place finish.

Distance Gala Weekly caught up with Walden last week, after his Miracle Mile performance, asking him about his season thus far, his goals for the rest of the track season, what makes the Carmel program so great and much more.

Distance Gala Weekly (DGW): You've had one heck of a track season thus far, running some strong performances, specifically over the 1,600m/mile distance. What are your thoughts on your season thus far?

Chris Walden (CW): Indiana and is not very big on the indoor season.  My school has an indoor conference meet, so I knew I would get to run that one.  If I was going to do any other races my preference would be on an oversized track because of the wider turns.  I decided to run in the KY high school open meet for a few reasons.  It had good competition, it would be fun road trip with my team, and I have run in it every year so far in high school.  I ran a 4:16.1 and was real happy with that time since I was not training to run fast in the indoor season.  I ended my indoor season with a win in the 800 at the Conference meet running sub-1:58.

DGW: You took part in the Miracle Mile this past Friday.  The event seems pretty special.  Can you take us through the race a bit and how it played out for you?

CW: The Miracle Mile is set up as a fun race with fast times.  Going into the race I knew I had a decent chance of winning it, but that was not my main focus.  My goal for this race was to try and run a fast time.  Last year was a slow tactical race and I didn’t want to see a repeat of that pace.  I took the race out right from the gun and was 2:06 at the half.  I ran my third lap too slow at a 65, taking me through in 3:11. 

I knew if I wanted a shot at a good time I needed to close in the low 60s.  I took off at the bell and with 200m to go I started to feel the strain of leading most of the race and tightened up (the Gala rabbits certainly help with that aspect).  I hung on to the lead until the final straight and just tried to stay smooth and relaxed all the way to the line as I was coming in on fumes. 

I crossed the original starting line and thinking it was the finish I eased too early and finished 5^th in a time of 4:16.3.  It was definitely a learning experience running with the lead and easing too soon at the finish.  I hope to do a lot better in races to come…...

DGW: Looking forward, what are your goals and expectations the rest of the season?

CW: I like to set very aggressive goals.  4:10 and 9:00 in the 1600m and 3200m, respectively.  I hope to have a good state meet scoring as many points as possible for my team and potentially going on and do well at Outdoor Nationals.

DGW: Are you planning to compete in any post-season competitions?

CW: I would like to run in the 6^th annual Midwest Distance Gala and Outdoor Nationals.

DGW: You had a great fall, running well all season long, but coming up with perhaps your best race at Foot Locker Nationals.  What was the Foot Locker experience like for you?  How did it change your perspective on what you can accomplish?

CW: That was by far the best weekend of my life.  I learned a lot.  It made me realize I can run with the best.  If I train more consistently and put in the hard work, I hope to make an even bigger splash on the National stage during my senior year. 

DGW: The Carmel program is one of the most historic distance running programs in the country.  What has it been like to be part of such an amazing program?

CW: Much of Carmel past success must be attributed to Carmel’s excellent former coach, Chuck Koeppen.  While at Carmel, Coach Koeppen was able to grab 11 men’s state cross titles, 11 women’s state cross titles, as well as a track title.  Coach has an ability to take an everyday kid walking in the halls and help mold him/her into a championship level runner/competitor.  He has the ability to enhance the camaraderie among a team. 

Last Spring, we started the transition to our current coach Erhard “Doc” Bell, who was an assistant under Coach Koeppen the last few years.  This transition was especially tough on me.  I was losing something special in Coach Koeppen, but at the same time I kept an open mind and was willing to let my new coach have a chance.  Coach Bell vowed that he would uphold much of Coach Koeppen’s traditions, but also put his own spin on some things. 

By the time cross country season started up, we were able to establish a relationship and style that would benefit everyone on our team.  I attribute a lot of my success in cross country this past fall to Coach Bell, and assistant Coach Downer, and I am really looking forward to our team contending for another cross county state title in the Fall.

DGW: What do you think makes Carmel so successful, year after year?

CW: There are a few things that factor into that.  Carmel High School is one of the largest high schools in the State of Indiana.  With a 4,500 student body, and over 100 boys on the XC/Track team, you’re bound to have some good runners.  That is by no means the only reason for our success.  Coach Koeppen’s legacy lives on in the program.  The tradition of success has been established and is expected here year after year.

DGW: A lot of people know about your current accomplishments, but how did you get into the sport?  How have you progressed?

CW: It all sort of started because I stopped playing baseball and had nothing to do in the Spring.  So I ran track because there was nothing else really.  In middle school it was all just for fun.  Then Coach Koeppen came to one of my track meets in 8^th grade and convinced me to try cross country that next Fall.  So I went out for XC and fell in love with the sport.  Running has become a real passion in my life now.

DGW: What does a typical week of training look like at this point in the season?

CW: I do roughly 50 miles a week with 2-3 hard workouts and the rest is easy distance runs at about 6:50 pace.  We have two different kinds of hard workouts.  The first style follows something like this a long tempo of about 7 miles.  The first mile is a sort of warm up at about 7min pace.  Then the middle 5 is what the real work out is about. 

We open at about 6:00min pace, then cut down each subsequent mile hitting 5:45, 5:30, 5:30, 5:15, 5:00, then another cool down mile at 7 min pace.  The other style of hard work out that we do is repeats on the track.  A typical one is 8x800 with 5 min goes. (Start a new rep every 5 min). I hit my intervals for this work out in around 2:20.

DGW: What are some of your interests outside of running?

CW: I am a proud Eagle Scout.  I try to stay active in my community and last weekend contributed to a Haiti food pack program.  I enjoy Rubik’s cubes and puzzles in general. I really like music and movies.  Ping Pong is also a big part of the Carmel running community.

Quick Six

DGW: Favorite band?

CW: Daft Punk

DGW: Shoes you train in?

CW: Asics Tarthers/barefoot

DGW: Favorite food?

CW: Pineapple

DGW: Best vacation?

CW: Caribbean Cruise with my parents and best friend.

DGW: Car you drive?

CW: Red Acura Integra (170,000 mi.)

DGW: Favorite movie?

CW: Shawshank Redemption or Lion King