2012 Maumee grad, Eastern Michigan University alum and current District Track Club representative, Willy Fink joined the MileSplit Ohio podcast to talk about life on the pro circuit, his sub 4-minute mile efforts, his tenure in the MAC, what goals he has lined up for himself in the future and more.
If you're a professional track and field and / or cross country athlete who would like to be a guest on the 'Pro's Perspective' please reach out to MileSplit Ohio site editor Mark Dwyer at: mark.dwyer@flosports.tv
Coverage -
Time Stamps -
- 0:00 -- Episode Introduction
- 0:45 -- Introducing Willy
- 1:15 -- Commenting on the rationale for the 'Pro's Perspective' series
- 2:10 -- First sub-4 minute miler on District of Columbia soil
- 3:25 -- Breaking down the D.C. race
- 4:35 -- Highlighting other runners in the field
- 5:15 -- Sharing the work with high level opposition
- 7:55 -- Where this accomplishment ranks on his list of career highlights
- 8:30 -- How many times he's eclipsed the 4-minute barrier
- 9:20 -- Talking about the journey to break 4 minutes for the mile
- 9:50 -- Where he achieved the feat for the first time
- 11:10 -- What components are necessary to run sub-4:00
- 13:00 -- Reminiscing on the Camel City Invite against Clayton Murphy and Edward Cheserek
- 14:05 -- Explaining what he proved to himself by outpacing such elite competitors
- 15:25 -- Recapping the 2020 USATF Indoor National Championships and his future as a pro
- 18:50 -- Advice on how to transition from hard race efforts on consecutive days
- 20:45 -- Goals and aspirations for 2021 and beyond
- 22:40 -- Reviewing his responsibilities as a volunteer coach with Virginia Tech
- 24:55 - The possibility of pursuing coaching opportunities in the future
- 25:45 -- Comparing competing himself vs. coaching his athletes at big meets
- 26:50 -- Highlighting his career at Eastern Michigan and in the MAC
- 28:25 -- Providing context on his involvement in the Steeplechase event
- 29:50 -- Naming his favorite event in college
- 30:45 -- What the hardest event is that he contested in college
- 31:45 -- His feelings on the MAC being underrated
- 33:10 -- His thoughts on the MAC teams cutting their programs
- 34:30 -- Reviewing the depth of distance talent in Ohio during his high school days
- 36:15 -- His development in high school and his experience with the recruitment process
- 39:00 -- Noting what life is like as a professional runner with DTC
- 41:25 -- Becoming a vegetarian and its impacts on his fitness and health
(Willy Fink shown during Steeplechase action at the 2016 NCAA Division 1 Track and Field Championships, hosted by the University of Oregon)
