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Chris Solinsky on his way to victory in the 5,000m at the 2006 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. (Photo by Mike Scott)

Interview with Chris Solinsky

Posted on June 18, 2006, Interview conducted June 9, 2006

Reported by Parker Morse

Chris Solinsky, of Stevens Point, Wisconsin was a talented high schooler (a Foot Locker cross country champion, among many other achievements) and has been a gifted collegian, with 10 All-American awards before this spring's NCAA championship: three for cross country, six indoors, and one outdoors. When he won the 5,000m, he not only collected his 11th, but passed former teammate Matt Tegenkamp with the most in Wisconsin's program history.

Solinsky was chasing a different milestone this spring at the Wisconsin Twilight meet, when he was second to Tegenkamp in the mile. The pair were the first to run under 4:00 in the state of Wisconsin, with Tegenkamp running 3:56.38 and Solinsky 3:57.80. The confidence gained from that race carried through to the NCAA final, when Solinsky had to run 4:01 for the last 1,600m to get away from the slow-starting field. The national title, a tactical affair which he won in 14:11.71, was his first outdoors but third overall (he won the indoor 3,000m in 2005 and 2006). We caught up with him immediately following the race.

Was that race set up perfectly for you?
I wouldn't say that. When we went out at 76, or whatever the first lap was, panic mode started setting in. I halfway expected it to be at least a 13-minute race, at least through two miles, maybe 13:50 or 13:40, but when we went out in 76, all the plans went out the window. I just adjusted the plan, and decided to go a little bit earlier and run the last mile as close to four minutes as I could. I managed to pull it off, to a certain degree; I guess it was 4:01, or something like that, which I'm ecstatic about. I knew I had a fast finish in me, but 4:01 and a sub-2:00 last 800, I didn't expect that.

Looking up at that Jumbotron helps a bit with 200 to go. I saw [Richard] Kiplagat closing on me, and I said, 'Uh oh, here we go. It's going to be a battle at the end.' I was feeling the lactic building up, and thinking, 'Oh great.' But I made sure, as hard as I went earlier in the race, that I saved something for the last 100. When I hit that last straightaway, I powered into another gear. I was lucky enough to come away with the win, and it feels good to finally have a great outdoor season.

If someone had moved before you did, were you prepared to go with them?
I wasn't going to let anyone get away from me. The whole race, it was like, 'Okay, we're jogging now, so you have to keep ready, and don't waste any energy at this point.' I was able to keep myself composed, under control, and ready to strike. I was panicking for a little before a mile to go, because I was in a box and I couldn't get out. Even if I'd wanted to make a move, I couldn't get out. When I saw a little opening, I slipped through it - it's a good thing I'm a big guy.

Going from that far out, did you feel at all apprehensive?
A little bit. But the game plan going in was to make a long drive. Some of the guys in that race can do a pretty good last lap, last 200. I wanted to make sure I put the hurt in their legs before it came down to the last lap, last 200. I was a little apprehensive, but at the same time, that's what I wanted to do. If I was going to go, I was going to go hard, and if they wanted to come with me, they would have to respond pretty hard back.

How long have you been planning on running the 5,000m at this meet?
Since last year. Since I closed my last 200 in 45 seconds last year, I've been out for revenge. The training started in the fall, and continued through indoors. It's been a lot of hard days, but this makes them worth it.

What kind of pace were you looking for instead of that opening 76?
I was preparing myself today to run 64s for the entire race. I figured if I was able to concentrate and maintain 64s for the entire race, I'd be ready for anything. I wasn't completely expecting a 76, but in maintaining focus after that, you're out there, you can't be crushed with your game plan. You have to be relaxed and flexible.

Will you be running the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships?
I'll be running the 5,000m there. Hopefully I'm feeling good coming off of this, and I'll be able to better my time, maybe get a PR. After that, maybe a few 1,500s here and there.

Is this your biggest win yet?
In the words of one of my friends back in Stevens Point, I pulled one off on myself tonight. I knew I had a chance to come in here and do it, but actually doing it, especially with that first mile and then running the last mile in 4:01, I can't believe it. It's set in, but not completely. I'm really pumped. Coming down the last homestretch, peeking over my shoulder and not seeing anybody there, that was a great feeling. When I stepped across the line and was finally able to put my arms up, that was when I finally stopped expecting someone to come up on my shoulder. The last time I looked at the jumbotron, they were coming up on me.

What does this mean for your confidence going in to a meet like USAs?
It feels great, it gives me the confidence to maybe go there and mess with the big guys. Maybe I can pull another one off on myself again. But this is the pinnacle of the year. The last couple of years has been a build-up, and to actually put together a good performance at the outdoor nationals after my first year [when he collapsed] and last year, it feels good to come out and put a win on it. Maybe next year, if I keep building strength, who knows what I could do.