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Interval Session #59 - Joe Franklin

By Dave Devine, June 5, 2008

A star in the state of Florida for quite some time, Godby FL senior Joe Franklin probably made his first big impression on a national level as a precocious sophomore, when he ran a 1:50.92 800 out of a "slow" section at the 2006 Nike Outdoor Nationals to seize second place overall behind "fast heat" winner Karjuan Williams. His junior track season, bouyed by a 4:08.84 1600 at the Florida 2A State Meet [a time which remains his 4-lap PR], Franklin entered the mile at the 2007 Nike Outdoor Nationals and finished 7th (16th overall) in a race won by Sam Borchers. That set up his senior campaign, a year marked by large doses of triumph and a dash of disappoinment.

Fall of 2007 saw Joe win his first 2A cross country state title, the sole state-level laurel missing from his cap, and then accept an invitation in the winter to compete in the Reebok Boston Indoor Games HS mile, where he finished a frustrated 8th in 4:14.82, far short of his stated goals. He rebounded from that setback to win his first national title in the 2008 Nike Indoor 800 (1:54.09), and then led his high school to a state outdoor title with wins in the 800 and 1600. Finally, he topped the national 800 list with a scorching 1:48.97 at a post-state meet All-Class Showdown.

On the eve of the Golden South Classic, with a fast 1600 in the offing, DyeStat Assistant editor Dave Devine grabs a few words with this Tennessee-bound Florida phenom.


1) Congrats on a great senior campaign so far. This year you've won a state cross country title, a national 800 title at Nike Indoors, and both individual and team titles in outdoor track. Is there one moment or achievement that stands out for you, and why is it most memorable?

Of all the things I've done so far this year, I would have to say winning NIN in the 800 (left) had to be the most memorable. It wasn't a blazing time or anything, but crossing the finish line and knowing you're a national champion...it was a crazy day for many reasons.

2) You're US#1 in the 800 this season, after that great 1:48.97 you ran at the RunningZone.com All-Class Showdown May 9th. Can you talk about that race, how it unfolded, and if your training had led you to believe you'd run that fast?

There had been talk of an all-class championship race for a while, and they had gotten pacers for the races. Jonathan Johnson was training in town at the time, so he agreed to set aside some of his time to ensure a good pace. I was hoping for a 52-second first lap, but we came through at 55. But Mr. Johnson brought us back through the next 200 well, so the end result was that 1:48. As far as my training goes, it hardly ever tells me much. Personally I think I am a horrible practice runner. I'm just glad that doesn't carry over to race day.

3) Looking ahead to this weekend, you're entered in the Golden South meet with hopes to take a shot at sub-4. I know there have been some questions about whether or not the race will be a 1600 or mile, and if you'll have anyone to rabbit the early part of the race. Can you shed some light on recent developments, and let us know where things stand at the moment? How are you feeling about your chances for a fast race this weekend?

Currently, from what I understand, it will be a 1600 race with a camera at the mile mark. Unfortunately it seems there will not be a rabbit, which for me is kind of unsettling since I'm really bad at leading races. Somewhere in the middle of longer races I drift. I'm going to have to improve on that, but since this attempt has received so much attention I had hoped the lessons would have to wait. As far as the rabbit goes...you have lemons, you make lemonade. I don't even have lemons, so I'll just try to do what I planned to do without them.


4) You had a cool opportunity to travel to and run at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games high school mile back in January. Although I understand the result wasn't quite what you'd hoped for, it sounds like you had the chance to meet and hang out with some of the top runners from around the country. What was that weekend like for you? Was there anyone in particular with whom you clicked or still stay in touch?

For me, that was the best part of the whole trip, getting a chance to be around people for whom this sport is their life too. When we sat at dinner I just listened to some of the guys and girls talk and we shared a few stories. Of all the people there, Kyle Merber was the person I clicked with most. He was going to let me borrow his shoes at NIN when mine were nowhere to be found. After I won NIN he was one of the first to congragulate me, and when I ran 1:48 he messaged me just to say congratulations. One of my favorite runners by far.

5) I know your dad is your main coach, so I'm wondering how that relationship works, having your father also be your coach? Are there times when it's great, and other times when it's challenging? Is it hard to know when one side of the relationship leaves off and the other begins? What are some of the most important lessons you've learned from your dad?

We both hate it. I get tired of him and I know he gets tired of me. It puts extra stress on a relationship that can be rocky between father/son and coach/athlete. When you can't escape either at any time during the day, it really can be interesting and frustrating.

6) There are probably a handful of guys each year who have a shot to break 4 or run in the low-4's for the mile/1600. One individual most people weren't necessarily looking at was German Fernandez (at least not last weekend), and yet he threw down a 4:00.29 on Saturday, then returned 2.5 hours later and ran 8:34.23. You're someone who knows what it takes to run at that level, so what were your thoughts when you saw those times? Did your jaw drop, like most HS track fans around the country?

Yeah, I was pretty shocked. That 3200 time was amazing, but that 4 minute 1600 really got to me. He is really close to making history. I knew after what he did on that track I cannot go out and not put on a show without something being said. I usually stay off the sites for that reason. Now it just puts what I am trying to do in a new light.

7) Interestingly, the national 800 leaders from both genders (you and Chanelle Price) are committed to Tennessee for college next year. Have you gotten to know Chanelle at all, or met her at any of the national meets? If so, have you acknowledged you share that in common? And as far as Tennessee goes, what things in particular drew you there? Why do you think it's such an attractive next step for top level mid-distance runners?

Chanelle and I visited Tennessee at the same time, actually. I didn't get much of a chance to get to know her though. As far as Tennessee goes, the reason I chose UT was their history with 800 guys. They could probably make my sister a national competitor. Also Coach Watts just seemed like a real caring coach. He came to my home, and called me every week. In the end he showed me how much I meant to UT track.


Photo: Vic Sailer, photorun.net

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