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Catching Up With Donn Cabral - Team USA 2015

Published by
DyeStatPRO.com   Jul 10th 2015, 1:11pm
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Steeple Star Continues to Step It Up

By Scott Bush

At the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships last month, 2012 Olympian Donn Cabral gave chase to American steeple record holder Evan Jager over the final 400 meters, and while Cabral couldn't quite catch Jager, he did finish second overall in 8:13.37, setting a near six second personal best and running a time which currently ranks him top ten in the world. 

Cabral followed up his performance in Eugene with an 8:17.20 time at the Paris Diamond League despite dealing with an aching achilles. With the IAAF World Outdoor Championships in sight, we caught up with Cabral, discussing his big race at USA Outdoors, what it takes to be a great steeplechase runner and what he enjoys doing when he's not on the track.

Follow Donn: Twitter | Facebook | USATF Bio

Scott Bush (SB): Congratulations on a terrific performance at USA Outdoors. Did the race play out how you thought it would? Were you surprised by the quick time of not just yourself but of the entire top three?

Donn Cabral (DC): Thank you! I was expecting a quicker pace early on, but I'm not surprised with the way it went down. I knew I was in shape to run about the time that I did, but after a few laps I didn't think it would happen that day. I was a bit surprised by Dan because even though he has run that fast before, he hadn't shown it this season. And an 8:12 from Evan isn't particularly surprising anymore.

SB: Coming into the race, you've hovered right at 8:19 for your PR, hitting the mark a handful of times. How good does it feel to breakthrough and lower your best?

DC: It was so encouraging to run that fast, feel good doing it, and leave proud of the way I competed. I ran 8:19 for the first time in 2012 when I was running phenomenally, so to break it by 6 seconds this season is such a good sign. I really think I'm ready for a new level on the world stage.

SB: You raced in Paris last week and ran another solid race. How did the race play out for you?

DC: Paris was a tough one for me. My achilles had be bothering me since the US champs and I took the whole week of just easy running to help them heal. With the help of the USATF medical staff I was able to race in Paris, but during the race I was in quite a bit of pain and by the time I crossed the finish line I knew I had to come back to the US and get it straightened out before it affected my chances at Worlds.

The race itself though was still decent. I ran my 2nd fastest time ever and went out much harder than I've ever done before (about 8-flat pace for the first kilometer). My achilles pain and the fact that I got beat by a lot of people, including both Americans, put a damper on the trip but I know I'm in great shape as long as I'm healthy.

SB: What are your racing and training plans between now and the World Championships?

DC: First priority is to show up healthy and well trained in Beijing. I've made a ton of progress in my rehab and I should be ready to workout again next week (7/14). I want to take full advantage of this training block between Paris and World Championships, with a possible short trip to Europe at the end of July for another steeplechase. That's all up in the air now and depends on how my achilles feels and what my coach things is best for me.

SB: You've been steepling for a number of years now. What does it take to be a great steeplechase runner?

DC: There are lots of little things like flexibility, explosive strength, and all those things that help shave off seconds. But I don't think you can be a steeplechaser if you get thrown off by breaks in your rhythm, by having to restart your momentum, or by less-than-ideal conditions for hurdling like when the pack crowds your space and you have to forget perfect form and just hurdle for survival.

SB: Last question...Away from the track, what do you like to do in your down time? Any hobbies?

DC: I fully embrace my nerdy, Type A side and I still really enjoy learning. So I find myself trying to fill my down time by cramming information into my brain. Whether it's reading a book, trying to follow the news or listening to podcasts for practice in Spanish, Russian and Portuguese, I rarely find myself bored.

Quick Six (six quick questions, six quick responses)

SB: Favorite band?

DC: Juanes. This answer changes about monthly.

SB: Favorite movie?

DC: The Patriot

SB: Best vacation spot?

DC: Wherever my family is

SB: Car you drive?

DC: 2010 Ford Fusion with an American flag draped on the back seat

SB: Favorite food?

DC: Pesto

SB: The water barrier - hate it or love it?

DC: Hate it. I'd love a 5kSC with just hurdles & no water!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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