chasingGLORY
Jolene Moore began her track career as a distance runner at a
small northern Michigan high school. Attending Michigan State
University on an athletic scholarship, she earned varsity awards
in track and cross country. Upon graduating college, she put
her athletic career on hold to join the ranks of the adult
working class and start her family. She began race walking in
2002.
Let’s rewind back to your childhood growing up. How did you catch the
race walking bug?
I grew up running. In junior high we had one track meet a year, each
spring. I won all of my events from the beginning. When I got to high
school I was immediately successful , went to state, broke records, etc.
By the time I was a senior in high school we won two state team
championships and I won three individual state titles (800m, 1600M and
cross country). I went to Michigan State University on an athletic
scholarship to run. Big 10 – how cool is that? After college I wanted to
work and be normal since I had always been a serious disciplined
athlete. I moved to Chicago to work, go to graduate school and start a
family. After having kids I developed a back injury and they told me that I
couldn’t run anymore. So I stopped with all of my sports. In the 2000
Olympics, I saw race walking on TV and realized that since it didn’t have
any impact that I could probably do it without pain – and the rest is history
(so to speak). I had to have some serious abdominal surgery so I didn’t
take one step of race walking until 2001 and when the coach asked me to
show my “technique” I had no idea what he meant. The only time I had
ever seen it was on TV that one time. My first race no one even told me
what a DQ board was…my first nationals race in Stanford, someone on
the infield had to tell me to be careful because I didn’t know to look at the
DQ board for cards.
Why don’t you start off by telling me how you made the decision to try to
qualify for the Olympic 20Km Race Walk Trials. How and when did you
decide to go for this feat?
When did I decide to go for the trials….hmmm. I didn’t decide to make
the trials, I had the time standard before I knew that it was an Olympic
Trials standard….and by that time I’d set my goal to make the Olympic
Team.
It seems like you are suited for the 20km, as training for the event
requires lots of miles.
I grew up a serious and extremely disciplined athlete. I was doing two a
day workouts in high school in the pitch black dark outside. I went to a
Division I school to run, so when I got into race walking I knew what it
would take to be successful. I am not one to shy away from hard work. If
anything, I tend to want to do too much.
How does it feel to be able to call yourself an Olympic Trials Finalist?
It would feel better to call myself an Olympian.
How does your family feel about your race walk achievements and time
commitment to make the Olympic Team?
My kids think it is cool to have a mom that gets a lot of attention, races for
USA, goes to cool places…but they miss me when I am gone. It is hard to
have a mom that is tired and works hard all of the time. My parents and
friends love and support me in a way I can’t describe. I am very fortunate
to have so many people behind me.
How about naming five or so keys to success for you personally as a race
walker?
1. Set your goal 2. Make a plan to reach your goal 3. Make sure you
include all components in your training to reach your goal (not just
aerobic workouts but strength, core, nutrition, rest etc.) 4. Stay focused
and disciplined to your goal 5. Decide whether you want it with all of your
heart – because if you don’t, you probably won’t get it.
What do you think are the keys to your personal success?
The key to my personal success is my discipline and my ability to focus
and go the distance to reach my goals.
Was there anything that you learned from this season that you think you'll
try to work on specifically before the Trials?
I continue to learn…but the biggest thing is to believe.
In terms of the Olympic Trials, is it challenging or even a bit daunting to
mentally prepare yourself to compete against some of the best athletes
in America?
I have been racing against the best for some time now. I have a great
ability to focus and remain calm. Yes, it is daunting…but it is something
that I have prepared myself for, for the last four years.
Who are your race walk heroes, and what about those athletes impress
you the most?
Hero is a big word. I tend to appreciate the underdog, the hard worker
and the humble winner.
In terms of strategy, do you try to look for a particular woman to stick near,
or do you walk more of your own race?
I know the time I have to make, I know the people I have to beat. I know I
have to focus and walk my own race without worrying about anyone else.
What is it about the Olympic Trials that you are most looking forward to?
I look forward to seeing all of my friends that race for USATF…and I have
quite a few in other events. Plus my family is coming out and we are
staying a few days after to have fun!!! Whoa – me having fun on vacation
with my family is a big deal – usually I’m just traveling for races.
What are some of the key lessons you have learned the past two years?
Rest, relax, do everything that I can do so I don’t have any regrets on July
7th or for the rest of my life.
Do you see yourself continuing to race walk until 2012 and to try for the
Olympics again?
I wish.
small northern Michigan high school. Attending Michigan State
University on an athletic scholarship, she earned varsity awards
in track and cross country. Upon graduating college, she put
her athletic career on hold to join the ranks of the adult
working class and start her family. She began race walking in
2002.
Let’s rewind back to your childhood growing up. How did you catch the
race walking bug?
I grew up running. In junior high we had one track meet a year, each
spring. I won all of my events from the beginning. When I got to high
school I was immediately successful , went to state, broke records, etc.
By the time I was a senior in high school we won two state team
championships and I won three individual state titles (800m, 1600M and
cross country). I went to Michigan State University on an athletic
scholarship to run. Big 10 – how cool is that? After college I wanted to
work and be normal since I had always been a serious disciplined
athlete. I moved to Chicago to work, go to graduate school and start a
family. After having kids I developed a back injury and they told me that I
couldn’t run anymore. So I stopped with all of my sports. In the 2000
Olympics, I saw race walking on TV and realized that since it didn’t have
any impact that I could probably do it without pain – and the rest is history
(so to speak). I had to have some serious abdominal surgery so I didn’t
take one step of race walking until 2001 and when the coach asked me to
show my “technique” I had no idea what he meant. The only time I had
ever seen it was on TV that one time. My first race no one even told me
what a DQ board was…my first nationals race in Stanford, someone on
the infield had to tell me to be careful because I didn’t know to look at the
DQ board for cards.
Why don’t you start off by telling me how you made the decision to try to
qualify for the Olympic 20Km Race Walk Trials. How and when did you
decide to go for this feat?
When did I decide to go for the trials….hmmm. I didn’t decide to make
the trials, I had the time standard before I knew that it was an Olympic
Trials standard….and by that time I’d set my goal to make the Olympic
Team.
It seems like you are suited for the 20km, as training for the event
requires lots of miles.
I grew up a serious and extremely disciplined athlete. I was doing two a
day workouts in high school in the pitch black dark outside. I went to a
Division I school to run, so when I got into race walking I knew what it
would take to be successful. I am not one to shy away from hard work. If
anything, I tend to want to do too much.
How does it feel to be able to call yourself an Olympic Trials Finalist?
It would feel better to call myself an Olympian.
How does your family feel about your race walk achievements and time
commitment to make the Olympic Team?
My kids think it is cool to have a mom that gets a lot of attention, races for
USA, goes to cool places…but they miss me when I am gone. It is hard to
have a mom that is tired and works hard all of the time. My parents and
friends love and support me in a way I can’t describe. I am very fortunate
to have so many people behind me.
How about naming five or so keys to success for you personally as a race
walker?
1. Set your goal 2. Make a plan to reach your goal 3. Make sure you
include all components in your training to reach your goal (not just
aerobic workouts but strength, core, nutrition, rest etc.) 4. Stay focused
and disciplined to your goal 5. Decide whether you want it with all of your
heart – because if you don’t, you probably won’t get it.
What do you think are the keys to your personal success?
The key to my personal success is my discipline and my ability to focus
and go the distance to reach my goals.
Was there anything that you learned from this season that you think you'll
try to work on specifically before the Trials?
I continue to learn…but the biggest thing is to believe.
In terms of the Olympic Trials, is it challenging or even a bit daunting to
mentally prepare yourself to compete against some of the best athletes
in America?
I have been racing against the best for some time now. I have a great
ability to focus and remain calm. Yes, it is daunting…but it is something
that I have prepared myself for, for the last four years.
Who are your race walk heroes, and what about those athletes impress
you the most?
Hero is a big word. I tend to appreciate the underdog, the hard worker
and the humble winner.
In terms of strategy, do you try to look for a particular woman to stick near,
or do you walk more of your own race?
I know the time I have to make, I know the people I have to beat. I know I
have to focus and walk my own race without worrying about anyone else.
What is it about the Olympic Trials that you are most looking forward to?
I look forward to seeing all of my friends that race for USATF…and I have
quite a few in other events. Plus my family is coming out and we are
staying a few days after to have fun!!! Whoa – me having fun on vacation
with my family is a big deal – usually I’m just traveling for races.
What are some of the key lessons you have learned the past two years?
Rest, relax, do everything that I can do so I don’t have any regrets on July
7th or for the rest of my life.
Do you see yourself continuing to race walk until 2012 and to try for the
Olympics again?
I wish.
2008 U.S. Olympic Trials-Women's 20km Race Walk
Jolene Moore
