Trail Talk With Matt Joyner
10/6/2011 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Oct. 6, 2011
The University of Alabama cross country teams completed their third meet of the season last week as both teams turned in strong individual performances with 11 season-best times between the two squads. Turning in one of those season-best feats was freshmen Matt Joyner. Joyner ran a personal best of 26:04.43 on the 8-kilometer course at E.P. Tom Sawyer Park. Matt recently discussed last weekend's meet, the team's performance this past weekend and the transition from high school sports to collegiate athletics.
What's your assessment of last weekend's Greater Louisville Classic?
It went really great. I thought I ran very well by getting a personal record by about a minute. That was pretty awesome.
What was the competition like at Greater Louisville Classic?
It was a really big meet. There were 30 teams there which is a lot more competition than I'm used to. There were a lot of fast guys and greater times so that motivated me to finish strong.
What was the mood of the team having to compete without Carison Kemei and Oliver Blake in the lineup?
It didn't hurt the morale of the team. We all knew going into it that we had to run to the best of our abilities with or without them.
What's the schedule like for the next week before the Crimson Classic on Oct. 15?
We're going to get in a couple of quick worksout this week and next. We're also starting to taper down a little bit as well as we get closer to the championship meets.
What has the transition been like from winning a state championship in your senior year at Madison Academic to a freshman at Alabama?
It's been a lot better than I expected. I anticipated a weird transition period where I thought I wouldn't fit in well or I felt like I was doing something wrong. But my coaches and teammates have been so welcoming so I'm glad to make Tuscaloosa a second home.
How has Coach Waters helped you as a runner?
He's meant a lot to me. It's good to have somebody that will be here for all four of my years. Just to have a staff that will implement the same strategy year in, year out will be awesome.
Do you have any rituals or superstitions before a race?
I really don't have any superstitions but I did learn about one this past weekend from Nathan Corder. Apparently, you're not supposed to cross the finish line when you're warming up before the race. I didn't know about that until now so I might use that in the next couple of weeks.
What goes through your mind before a race?
I try to stay as calm as possible. I know this is college athletics so there will always be pressure. I just try to put that behind me and run to the best of my ability.
What is your favorite workout?
I would probably say the 400-intervals we'll be doing on Friday. I'm a mid-distance runner in track so I prefer the shorter distance workouts
What is your least favorite workout?
Forty minute tempo runs. It's pretty difficult to run a 5:30 pace for eight miles.
How have you enjoyed Tuscaloosa thus far?
It's been awesome. The whole college atmosphere is just incredible here. I love how everybody comes together on game days.
What do you like to do outside of racing?
I spend most of my free time with the cross country team. We just hang out and watch football. We also have a bunch of soccer fans on the team so we all watch the English Premier League together.
