Chris Solinsky 10 Years After His 10,000m American Record (26:59) + Revisiting His Entire Career

"For me, my passion is still within running. It’s now all on, and I mean this wholeheartedly, getting the kids that I work with to experience excitement levels like that night, going under 13, winning the NCAA title or competing for a U.S. title or Olympic team. Those are the types of things that really motivate me now. It’s seeing that excitement level in the kids that I work with now. If I talk about that 10K that night or that day, it’s more anecdotal. It’s more of what I learned and what I went through."

Chris Solinsky joins the show as we approach the 10-year anniversary of his 10,000-meter American record run at the 2010 Payton Jordan Invitational, where he became the first non-African to break 27 minutes for the distance. It was his debut at the distance and he managed to break Meb Keflezighi's previous record by 14 seconds. It's one of the best races to re-watch.

In this episode, we'll go through that race in detail but start in his hometown of Junction City, Wisconsin. Even as a high schooler in Stevens Point, he was building an engine within and started garnering that reputation as one of the hardest-working grinders in the sport. 

We'll also touch on:

- His recruitment and why Wisconsin initially was the last place that he wanted to attend.

- How the University of Colorado missed out on Chris Solinsky…

- His training philosophy and taking pieces of influence from coach Jerry Schumacher

- The first sub-four mile on Wisconsin soil and the friendly rivalry with Matt Tegenkamp

-  Turing professional and betting on himself by choosing Nike

- Advice for those who have that option and go through the process

- What he believes is the best race of his career…

- Having a hot hand during a season and breaking 13 minutes for 5,000m three times in one season

- Clarifying his dog's role in his hamstring injury

- The marathon attempt that never happened and giving it one more shot in 2014

- 2021 comeback odds and more…

Related links:

2010 Payton Jordan finish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rkvd5dfwMQ

Podcast with Ryan Fenton on calling Solinsky's race: http://citiusmag.com/citius-mag-podcast-ryan-fenton-flotrack/

Sports Illustrated profile: https://www.si.com/more-sports/2010/06/23/chris-solinsky

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