In The Lead Pack with Josh Ordway

(Photo courtesy of Josh Ordway)

Josh Ordway, a current medical student at Wright State University and Columbus Running Company Mizuno Store Team athlete, recently finished 21st at the Nov. 3rd Olympic Marathon Trials in New York. A northwest Ohio native, Ordway competed collegiately at Princeton University ('03) and earned all-East honors in the steeplechase his senior year. Ordway will compete in the USA Half Marathon Championships on January 13th in Houston, Texas.

Interview by: Derick Lawrence

How did you get started in running?
I had gone to road races when I was younger to watch my dad run, so I figured I'd just do the same when 7th grade cross country came around. During the summer before my 7th grade year, I was sitting on my butt playing video games when my mom yelled at my dad to make me run. I ran 2 miles with him then and every day after that until the season started.

You ran at Princeton University ('03). Could you describe your collegiate running career (accomplishments, pr's, most memorable moments, etc.)?
I started off my freshman year slow, as I was just coming off an injury from high school. I ran 8:36 for 3k and 14:53 for 5k by the end of the year, though. I was sidelined for much of my sophomore year with various injuries. During my junior year, I ran 25:20 in XC, 14:40 indoors for 5k, and dabbled with the steeple before running 30:27 at Penn Relays and focusing on that at conference where I placed 7th and out of scoring position.

My senior year was better in terms of times, but I didn't seem to accomplish anything. I ran 24:47 in XC at an invite in Florida before doing nothing at conference and was hurt during indoors. I became a decent steepler during outdoors. I got down to 8:57, earning me all-East honors.

But again, I bombed at conference, placing 8th and out of scoring position

Your U.S. Olympic marathon trials qualifier came at Austin in 2006 in which you ran 2:15:39, can you describe this race and your thoughts looking back?
Well, we (my training partner Jim Jurcevich and me) originally chose the course because it featured a nice, net downhill, and we wanted to both hit the 'A' qualifying standard. When we got there, we were faced with a cold front that dropped the temperature down to 30 degrees at the start of the race. There was no wind, though, so I was happy with it. We worked together, running 4:50 for mile 7 to break away from a large pack so that we could work together to chase the leaders. Kenyans were dropping like flies as the race went on because of the cold. It was awesome.

I faded towards mile 20 because my hamstring started cramping really badly. At that point, 3 Americans passed me, and I didn't have the strength to get them back. I finished 10th overall, though, with an 'A' qualifier, so I was really pleased.

You placed 21st at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Men's Marathon. Describe this race for us.

(Photo courtesy of the Columbus Running Company)

The Trials was an amazing race. I've never been surrounded by so many great athletes before. It was very windy that morning. That, combined with the numerous hills along the course caused me to adopt a very conservative racing strategy. I was way back for most of the race, but I felt very, very comfortable. At mile 15 I looked at my watch and saw that the last mile was 5:12. I deemed that too slow, so I took off, breaking away from the large group I was in. A few miles later, my calves starting trying to cramp up on me, so I slowed down a bit but still ran the rest of the way into the finish alone. The cramping is nothing new. It makes me think I should've gone out harder in the beginning, since my calves start to cramp around mile 19 regardless of how fast I go out. Still, I negative split for the whole thing, which I've never done before. I think I could've run faster, but I'm happy with my finishing place. It's a good start to my Trials career.

Speaking of your training partner Jim Jurcevich, how have you two worked together (both being Olympic Trials marathon qualifiers) and what is it like training together?
Well, I had no idea what marathon training entailed in the beginning. Jim showed me what to do in terms of workouts, mileage, and paces, and it was the perfect formula. He can run a sustained pace on a flat surface forever, while I have faster top speed and am decent on hills, so we complemented each other very nicely in workouts. He would always get us on the right pace during the beginning of each workout, and I would take over and speed things up at the end.

You and Jim currently run for the Mizuno Columbus Running Company Store Team. What has this atmosphere been like?

(Photo courtesy of the Columbus Running Company)

Oh, it's great. Jim is a part-owner of the store, along with Eric Fruth and Matt DeLeon. It's nice to have a "team uniform" that all of the guys wear and to have a sponsor that can held us out with gear. The store also holds group runs every Monday night and Saturday morning, so that's a great way to get together with the guys and gals and recreate that college running atmosphere.

Currently you are a medical student at Wright State University. How do you balance studies and running?
To be honest, I ask myself the same question sometimes! haha. Well, I guess I've just been lucky in that all of the material I've been presented with has been interesting for me and stuck in my head. Typically, I go to my 4 hours of lecture a day, get in my runs before and after class, then read through my notes whenever I can, usually mostly on the weekends. We have exams on Mondays, and so far (knock on wood) I've been able to get most of my memorizing done the weekends before exams. It's dangerous, I know, but it's what I have to do to get the most out of my running.

What keeps you motivated throughout your training and racing?
I love running, so that in itself keeps me logging the miles. In terms of training at a high level, though, I guess I ultimately want to see how fast I can become.

What key training elements are the backbone of your marathon training?
I rely on high mileage, very easy days, and long workouts at or around goal marathon pace. 10 or so weeks of those 3 things usually get the job done on race day.

What key concept(s) do you believe are necessary for marathon success?
Obviously, everyone is different, but you have to put in some volume when training for the marathon. Whether that's high mileage, tempo runs of 10+ miles, or long runs of 20+ miles, you have to teach your body to work hard for an extended period of time.

What key workout(s) do you incorporate into your training that gives you an indication of your fitness level?
Volume is more important for me than specific times, but 1600m repeats (5:00 pace) with 400m jog and tempo runs (5:20 pace) usually give me an idea of my fitness.

Could you outline what your last two weeks of training looked like leading up to the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials?

week of 10/22 (1st taper week): 115 miles, including a 6 mile tempo on the track at 5:05 pace and 8 x 800m on the track averaging 2:22 pace with a 400m jog.

week of 10/29 (2nd taper week 2): 78 miles, including 3 x mile and 1 x half mile on a bikepath with full rest in 5:00, 4:57, 4:56 and 6 x 2:00 hard, 2:00 easy with the Trials on Saturday.

How are races viewed in your training schedule leading up to a marathon?
I occasionally use races as a fitness check, but most of the time races are just a chance to get in a "workout" with other people.

What are your 2008 racing plans?
To start off the year, I'm running in the US half marathon championships in Houston. After that, I'll try to heal up a few nagging pains before attempting to make a return to the track. I may flirt with the idea of making a comeback in the steeple, but we'll see how spikes treat me. I'll run another marathon sometime here, probably in the fall, but I'll have to see what my upcoming clinical rotation schedule looks like. Otherwise, I'll hop into lots of little races here and there for fun.

What advice would you give to collegiate runners or recent graduates that aim to compete in the marathon competitively?
The marathon is a different beast than an 8k on grass or a 10k on the track. You have to make yourself run farther and slower than you're used to for success in the marathon. It may be tough to do at first, but it'll help a lot.

Thanks to Josh for a great interview.