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Catching Up With Augustus MaiyoPublished by
Former University of Alabama standout Augustus Maiyo is representing the United States this weekend at the World Half Marathon Championships in Bulgaria. Maiyo, who was an All-American in the steeplechase at Alabama and finished tenth at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in the steeplechase, is part of the U.S. Army team based in Colorado Spring, Colorado. We caught up with Maiyo this week, chatting about his goals for this weekend, his recent training situation, his view on continuing to steeple and much more.
Scott Bush (SB): You're heading into this weekend's championship coming off of a very successful third place effort at the U.S. 20k Championships. What are your expectations for yourself this coming weekend?
Augustus Maiyo (AM): I am hoping to running my personal best, anything from 60-62 will be of great satisfaction. Unlike the U.S 20K Championships, I am going to take every mile as it unfolds. If the 59’s guys are going to let some of us to stay comfortable past six miles then I am probably going to stay in touch for the rest of the miles.
SB: Running as part of the U.S. Army training group, can you explain the set up a bit and what your training set up is like (coaches, athletes, etc)? AM: Right now we are about four, and we are training together most of the time except during our easy days, we do track workouts, tempos and Sunday long runs together. We get three workouts in a week, which are track/mile repeats, tempos and long runs. Our coach is Scott Simmons, one of the best coaches in town, and I am very much in tune with his philosophical approach to his training.
SB: Do you have Army obligations during the day, too?
AM: Yes, we do have to go work once a week and when our boss needs us. We have to meet some Army-training standards too, and that means we have to attend some kind of training as time goes by.
SB: You focused in on the steeplechase during the track season then switched to the roads. Do you see yourself staying with the track a couple more years or transitioning full-time to the roads?
AM: You are right, I am still going to run the steeple when the time comes. Unlike other track events, steeple is kind of addictive and more importantly I love steeple and I am going to invest in it for a couple of years. About road racing, I am not sure yet, we will see what happens at the World Half Marathon Championships.
SB: There wasn't a lot of time in between the naming of the U.S. World Half Marathon team and the actual event itself. Do you feel fully prepared heading into this weekend's race?
AM: My coach has been putting some work on our training and I think I am somewhat prepared. I will definitely find out about my fitness at halfway of the race.
SB: What does it mean to you to be part of Team USA, especially after getting your citizenship in 2010 and being a part of the U.S. Army?
AM: I have never been part of a team apart from the University of Alabama cross-country team, so being part of 2012 Team USA is a big step in part of my running lifestyle. To be a citizen and run for the U.S. Army means a lot to me, without the two I will never be running right. I never thought I would ever run beyond NCAA competition.
Fast Four (four quick questions, four quick answers)
SB: Shoes you race in?
AM: Never have a shoe sponsor but I am mixing it up…of late I am in love with adizero aegis (training) and adizero adios (flats)
SB: Favorite TV show? AM: Real Time with Bill Maher
SB: Favorite food? AM: Ugali and Chapati
SB: Favorite band? AM: Never had one
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