(Photo courtesy of Matt Williams)
Matt Williams may not be a household name but he is the David among many Goliaths of professional running. Having run against and competed with the likes of Bernard Lagat, Galen Rupp and Billy Nelson, Matt has consistently held his own. His career has been defined by being an underdog and over achieving at nearly every level. This week Milesplit sits down with him and picks his mind how he is able to succeed against such long odds.
Milesplit: How did you get into running? How did you end up as a professional runner?
Matt: I started in Colorado, running is a big thing that a lot of people like to do there. I found a love for the sport from an early age. I was a pretty good local runner in high school but not competitive on a national stage. The theme of my career has been to take the opportunity when it presents itself. This started when I picked a college. I knew I wanted to run competitively with the best, but I also knew that eventually in my life I would want to pursue other things outside of running. The Air Force Academy was of one of the few NCAA Division 1 schools that were giving me a look, they were an excellent academic school, and the career opportunities I would have in the Air Force were outstanding. So I took the step. I did pretty well there, and got to compete on the national stage. But when I graduated I still did not have the times fast enough to join the Air Force’s world class athlete program. It’s a special program where they use you as public affairs officer, and pay you to train and compete. So I took another opportunity to go to graduate school while still pursuing my dream of running professionally on my own time. With one more season under my belt I was able to hit the standard and get into the program. The next two years I got the chance to run professionally and compete on the highest stage, but it all started with just taking one step at a time.
MS: How does the challenge of constantly being an underdog propel you to be greater?
Matt: Running is one of the beautiful sports where you can compete at whatever level you are at. No matter how good you are there is someone ahead of you who you can strive to beat. I don't see myself in a different light from my competition. I see the sport as a long journey. You have to be content and confident with yourself as an athlete, but you have to strive to be better. I am going to run as hard as I can. I can't think about their strategy or where they are. I have had the privilege of facing some great competition where people may not have projected me to be in the mix in the great field. It is keeping your head down and focusing on the next step in front of you. You can have realistic expectations knowing people you are racing may be faster, but focusing on the moment and you may surprise yourself and beat some big names.
MS: How do you let it affect your training everyday knowing you will be facing the Evan Jager's of this world on race day?
Matt: Some people use that as fuel if you will. Not that I don't, but I think when we constantly compare ourselves to others it tends to be unhealthy. It's hard not to do that in a sport like track that is based on splits and times. I think if you become too obsessed with thinking about what Chris Solinsky is doing for his workout that day, you will drive yourself crazy. Even Galen Rupp has people who are beating him in the Olympics. When I go out to train I try and concentrate on giving my best effort on that day. It takes experience to know what it is, it takes a good coach. It takes confidence. It takes work. I have gone through phases of comparing myself to others, but it hasn't worked out. I like to use this mantra---fearless and free. I know ahead of time what the goal of the workout is, I go out and run within what parameters my coach and I set. I use my faith to give me strength and be content with whatever comes. I have finished a hard workout and thought I should have been faster, then there have been days when I have run major PRs, everyday is unique. You just have to approach it without fear, and be free of constraints. You can use them as motivation, but don't get down dwelling on what they are doing too much.
MS: Do you prepare your own race plan, or queue off of what others do during a race?
Matt: I tend to go off of what others do in a race. Since I started my running career I have always felt like I am better off when coming from behind. While I may not have the best leg speed of everyone on the track I feel I have good strength and can tap into that speed better than others in the last half of the race. No matter the speed of race I have run my best races going out in the back half and focused on the front. Even if it's a 1500m and we go out in 75, I still feel better going out slow and being relaxed and confident than I would be trying to lead.
MS: Why do you think that works? Is a matter of comfort and being able to stay relaxed because of that?
Matt: I think being comfortable in your strength is key. Maybe if I was consistently racing world championships and losing to the same couple guys then you might have to change up your strategy but so often it just comes down to who is the fittest. I feel if I waste energy surging, I feel that it is just that, wasted energy. The more relaxed and poised I can be, the better off I can be.
MS: How do you mentally prepare to run against "big name" runners?
Matt: I think my mental preparation is more than just preparing to compete against the best. I think it is an everyday task. It is being patient, being confident and not over analyzing. I have had great teammates and great coaches. The methods and tools they have given have helped me develop. Your mental preparation isn't just a few hours before the race, it is every day. You have to enjoy your own talent, not in a cocky way, but knowing your abilities. Whether it is a workout by yourself at 5AM, or whether it's the biggest race of the season, the mental preparation of being relaxed and confident is the same no matter what.
MS: What would you say is the key to success you have had?
Matt: I keep on going back to being relaxed. It's not being lazy on the beach, but there is a relaxed sense when you trust in God, your coach, your training, and what talents you have been given. When you have faith in those things there is no reason to fear. You can just go out and enjoy the event, and that's when you can go out and have your best performances.
See other Pro Tip articles below:
Drew and Ned Ryun on Racing in Someones Shadow
Erik Sowinski on Perserverence