On His 35th Birthday...

Photo by Zach Hetrick

BY: TOM CHORNY

The world of running has been an amazing gift in my life. It has been rewarding in countless ways and continues to give in ways of which I never initially dreamed. I’ve raced against World Record holders, Olympic medalists, and have been flown around the world to do so. I’ve worn “USA” on my jersey at the World Championships, the Pan Am Games, the Goodwill Games, and the NACAC Championships. Running paid for most of my college education, and upon graduation, it provided the means and the moyen to pursue my dream of competing in the Olympics.

Now, while I am still pursuing this goal, I realize that my time is running short. Today I turn 35 years old, and while I am one of the youngest 35 year olds I’ve ever known, my age is working against me. On top of that, I have battled injuries for over 10 years now—stress fractures, calf strains, pelvic instability, ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, heartbreak, more stress fractures, and a 2 year bout with Achilles tendonitis that, for the time being, still lingers.

I am a dark horse for sure. I’m not talking deep brown or even black, but more like the emptiness that you imagine at the heart of a cosmic black hole, or better yet, do you remember that time before the whole “Let there be light” thing? Yeah…that dark.

I haven’t even raced my event, the 3K Steeplechase, since May 31, 2008. I almost cry when I think about how long ago that has actually been. The last time I ran a PR in any track event was 2004, yet I had hints of greatness along the way that convinced me that I may actually be getting faster. Hints, however, even compounded upon each other, do not yield a consistent and complete story. Consistency is the one thing that I need and, God willing (whichever you subscribe to), is one of the blessings I will receive this year.

One of the blessings I've already received has been the existence of great teachers and coaches in my life. I had the chance to train under some of the greatest coaches in the sport and have taken every opportunity to learn as much as possible from them. Some coaches write hard workouts and motivate, some train very scientifically, others coach in ways that are good for some athletes and not for me, and yet others admit that in spite of their success and knowledge, they’re still learning; all great examples to live by.

In 2007, running opened yet another door when I started volunteering as a coach with the Indiana University track and field and cross country teams. I specifically work more in depth with the steeplechasers and with these talented runners we’ve had some amazing success. I, admittedly, like coaching a whole lot more than I thought I would. I've coached a small group of local runners as well.

Besides opening the potential to become an NCAA or Elite coach someday, this experience has taught me that running, at its essence, is fulfilling for almost everyone, at every level. And while one typically goes in with a certain goal, it is important to realize that the journey truly is the prize.

As I began my ascent out of this canyon of injuries and setbacks, I had lots of time to reflect–and doubt! At my best, I was running a consistent 80-90 miles a week, running 18-20 mile long runs, averaging just under 6 minute pace, finishing 8 mile lactate threshold runs in under 41 minutes, running hill repeats until my legs were screaming at me, and running repeat 1000s in 2:55 with 50 seconds rest…all in the same week. And now, I’m struggling to run more than 30 miles a week; my achilles is sore, pelvic instability is back, and the other day, I was jogging slowly on some grass fields, my groin attachments and pubic bone all searing in pain, concentrating way too much on just trying to strike the ground comfortably with my tight calf and sore heel. The wind was strong and I stopped…The competitor in me yelled out to the wind and to myself, “IS THIS ALL YOU’VE GOT?!” My eyes teared up, and one got away. I often speak out loud to myself (I blame my dad for that), but receding is not something I do very easily. I admitted, out loud, for the first time in my life, “You may never run as fast as you have before, ever again.” Another tear got away. I LOVE to run, and I love to run fast. I jogged a few steps and stopped again.

It has become very apparent that I am far from being an Olympian. I’m not saying that I give up, or that I have no chance of ever being one. I’m just being realistic, and I’m taking note. I’ve been Olympic caliber, and had 2001 been an Olympic year, I would have been the first one on the team in the Steeple, but right now, I’m far from being an Olympian.

One thing I’ve learned is that you must first BE something before you will DO something, and you must first DO something before you will eventually HAVE something. Never will you have something that you don’t first do something to get, and never will you do something if it does not coincide with who you are. The “BE, DO, HAVE” theory is from Robert Allen’s and Mark Victor Hansen’s The One-Minute Millionaire.

So, my goal is to make an Olympic team. To HAVE this, I must first DO the things necessary to put myself in a position to attain this, but I will never get there if I do not first BECOME that person who does those things. Consequently, my first goal must be to change my beliefs about the way I conduct my business of BEing an athlete. I’ve been there before, but if I’m going to have any chance, I’ve got to get there again, and this is where I’m failing.

What this means, and what I’ve learned as a coach, is that my goals must first be about behavior. It is fine to have tangible goals, like running a mile without stopping, finishing a 5K/half marathon/marathon, breaking 4 hours in a marathon in each of the United States, or being an Olympian, but you must also be okay with it if the desired outcome is never realized.

“You may never make an Olympic team…” It was the next thing out of my mouth that day on the grass, and as much as it hurt to say it, an amazing thing happened—the clock kept ticking. Win, lose, or draw, it would be a tragedy to disregard the personal development and amazing relationships that have brightened my path along the way, for those are the true spoils of the pursuit. The World Championships, Pan Am Games, Goodwill Games, and the U.S. Championship title will always be special events of which I am very grateful for, however, they would have been nothing without the hard work and challenges I had to learn to navigate in order to earn them.

I have to say, it’s a relief to submit to the mystery of the chase. The side streets and the dead end trails on which I have run led to some of my greatest memories and learning experiences. Now all I have to do is work my butt off. I mean–all I can do is all I can do.

The best coaching advice I can give is to surround yourself with people who will fully support you. Have a goal. Write it down and place it where you will see it every day. Write these goals in sand, not stone. Beyond all of that, first, BE the kind of person who DOes the things necessary, in order to HAVE what it is you really want in life. Eventually you will find yourself rich with experience and the knowledge to tackle whatever beasts come your way.

My name is Tom Chorny, Im 35 years old, and I run to...be free!

Photo by Zach Hetrick

TOM CHORNY is an athlete, coach, and sometimes a nutrition junkie. A native of Michigan, he was a 3-time All-American, running for Indiana University where he specialized in the 3K Steeplechase. Upon graduation, he signed a contract to run for NIKE and continued to improve in the steeple, winning a U.S. title in 2001, and ultimately going on to represent the USA at the World Championships, Goodwill Games, and Pan Am Games. Currently volunteering as a coach for the Indiana University track and cross country teams, he is still training with goals of Olympic proportions. You can read more on Tom at his blog HERE.