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Catching Up With Dathan Ritzenhein

Published by
DyeStatPRO.com   Feb 5th 2015, 6:01pm
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Former Champion Ready to Challenge for Title Again

By Scott Bush

Dathan Ritzenhein is easily one of the most accomplished cross country runners in American history. As he goes for his fourth USATF Cross Country title this weekend at the USATF Cross Country Championships, we caught up with the Michigan-native, as he talks about racing healthy, his expectations for 2015 and a whole lot more.

Scott Bush (SB): Heading into Boulder this weekend you're coming off a couple great races in Europe. What did those early-season races tell you about your fitness and how are you feeling heading into this weekend's action?

Dathan Ritzenhein (DR): I actually surprised myself. I didn’t know where my fitness was at so I went in to those races just excited to get back out there and see how I felt. I have had a great month of training since the two races in Europe and hopefully I will be further along for this weekend. 

SB: Chris Derrick, Ben True and a host of others make this weekend's race one of the stronger fields in recent memory. What, if anything, do you feel gives you an advantage over the rest of the field?

DR: The competition is stronger this year than in any year I can remember. I don’t count out anyone. I learned a long time ago not to underestimate any of your opponents. It will be very difficult but I am always in it when it counts. I have to go in with confidence. I will be thinking that I have won three US cross country titles before, I have the fastest PR’s, and I’m the most experienced. Whether that is an advantage on race day, probably not, but it will give me confidence when the race gets tough. 

SB: You spent a number of years in Boulder, first at the University of Colorado, and then afterward as a pro. What does it mean to you to come back and compete for a national title in a place you have some many fond memories of?

DR: I lived in Colorado for six years. I love Boulder. It is where I really became an adult. I moved out on my own, went to school and made so many great friends and memories. When I moved in '07 I always said I would go back all the time. You get busy and time flies by. Before you know it, six years go by! I can’t wait to come back!

SB: This past off-season, you made a big switch, moving from Portland back to your home state of Michigan. How's the transition been? Is Alberto still advising you from afar and do you have any semi-regular training mates now?

DR: This summer I moved home to West Michigan, where my wife and I are both from. I spent seven years in Oregon, two in Eugene and five in Portland, training with Alberto at the Nike Oregon Project. We have kids and wanted to be home and close to our families after 13 years of living away. Alberto does not coach me anymore, but he will always have my back and I will have his. I love my teammates there and that is one of the biggest things I miss. I do still get some strength training from Dave McHenry, the Nike Oregon Project strength coach and physio.

SB: It seems whenever you get a healthy amount of time to train without interruption you can throw down some very impressive performances. How long have you been injury-free now?

DR: I get in shape very fast. Most of that has to do with the fact that I have been running 100 miles a week since I was 17 years old. That is 15 years! I have had plenty of injuries but I am crazy. I cross train for hours a day when hurt. So when you look at the changes that happen over time, all those years of training, it doesn’t take much to get into good shape. A few weeks of good hard intervals and I can run fast. I have been totally healthy since November. 

SB: You've always been extremely successful on the cross country course. What do you feel makes you such a strong runner on such challenging terrain?

DR: I am just very comfortable on the turf and mud. I don’t really know why. I think my form may have some to do with it. But also I just try to adapt to whatever the terrain throws at me. 

SB: Running the USA Cross Country Championships in a World Cross Country Championships year, any chance we'll see you compete in China or will it be strictly about getting ready for Boston after Boulder?

DR: I will not be running the World XC Championships. It is only three weeks before Boston. That is an important time in the training. It is not so much the race that is the problem, it's the travel. The location is difficult for me with my focus being on Boston. 

SB: Last question...you've been doing some coaching at the highly successful program of Grand Valley State. What's that been like for you, thus far?

DR: Mostly it has just been a good experience to learn from Jerry Baltes on how he runs such a successful program. Also the team is just a bunch of hard working kids that train their butts off. They put in the work day in and day out, no short cuts. It has been great for me to get to know the athletes, share with them some of the things I have picked up and they inspire me in my own training. I hope my being there and working out with them helps them want to get better as well.

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