Another Near-Miss
Donavan Brazier is philosophical about yet another near-miss at the American Record in the 800.
“To come close three weekends in a row is kind of disappointing,” he says, reflecting on his win in Albuquerque.
“I would like to be a runner who wins with a fast time. But I can’t complain. I got the meet record so I have to be happy with that.”
He’s more than pleased with his season so far, starting off with an indoor PR 1:45.35 and improving it with 1:45.11 and 1:45.10 wins in the two weekends following to give him all-time U.S. performances Nos. 3, 4 & 5.
“It’s better to show good consistency for the most part and run fast in the outdoor season,” he says. “Indoors is just a fun time.”
It’s even more fun for an athlete who is fit and confident, and the 20-year-old emerged from a winter of training with plenty of both.
“I feel more fit than in years past,” he reveals. “I’m only getting better, I’m only getting stronger each week. I think it’s just the consistency of workouts that is helping me be more mentally fit to race.”
With the World Indoor looming, he has another chance at the AR, but that’s not what he’s thinking about.
“It’s hard to plan a championships,” he explains. “Championship-style races are different.
“In Boston we had a rabbit because some people just don’t want to take it. On the world’s stage I don’t know if I’m going to be the guy [to take it out]. It just depends on the day and how I am feeling.”
Brazier has gotten Internet flak in the past for how he has run rounds (“I proved last year I can handle them”) and his occasional inconsistency (“This indoor season I showed them I’m consistent”).
He says, “I think it’s me maturing and growing into the program, and the longer I do it, the better I get. Maybe one day I’ll switch it up and do more mileage, but I think right now I’m good where I’m at.”
One thing he knows for sure about the Worlds: “No matter what, it’s going to hurt. There are no shortcuts to what you want to get. There are no mistakes on that stage. If you get a medal it’s because you did something special.
“No matter how much training you put in, when that gun goes off, it’s going to hurt.”
