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Interval Session #85 - Joseph Manilafasha

By SteveU - November 27, 2008

Denver, Colorado was definitely regarded as the epicenter of U.S. elite prep boys running at the start of this fall, with the top three returning finalists from Foot Locker all in the metro area.  Most pundits had their eye on Bobby Nicolls as the top dog; a few others had Evan Appel.  But probably fewer tabbed Joseph Manilafasha, who like Appel made it to San Diego as a super soph in 2006, but then had a sub-par regular season in 2007 before finding his way back to Balboa at the very end.

The Denver North senior, though, has obviously not been the same runner he was a year ago.  He quickly started racking up major wins and times in the high 14s and low 15s, with Liberty Bell being the first big triumph.  And while the class structure of most invitationals prevented him from racing his top rivals, his performances on the watch earned him the top ranking in the nation, with his 4A state title capping off his regular season.

It’s been a long and interesting road for Manilafasha, who came here with his family from Burundi, by way of Tanzania, in 2001.  From being a precocious freshman with two older brothers all running at North, he emerged as a state champ as a soph and then won it again this fall.  At Foot Locker Midwest Saturday, he will go for a smartly paced qualifying effort, but in San Diego, he hopes to move up dramatically from his finishes of 25th (2006) and 22nd (2007).
1) You’ve had a fantastic year so far – unbeaten, with the fastest time in each meet regardless of other divisions or classes.  Tell us about the satisfaction you’ve felt with this season after a junior year that was not quite as strong.

I am very satisfied with the season so far.  My junior year didn't go very well do to diet changes I was making.  This year has gone well, but I am personally not going to count any of the other runners out.  It's one thing to run faster than everyone in other classifications, and it's another thing to be facing them in the same race.


2)  What have been some things in training, both during the summer and during the season, that have helped you improve and be more consistent?

I messed up my ankle playing basketball in the summer, so I only ran one to two weeks at the most in the summer.  A lot of my training has been during the season.  As for workouts, I do a threshold in the mountains, on rolling terrain once a week (it’s usually anywhere between 25 to 30 minutes).  I also do repeats once a week.  My coach doesn't believe in speed, so most of the repeats are longer than 1200 meters.


3) What were the factors that held you back a little last year?  I’ve read things like minor injuries, poor sleep and diet … looking back now, what do you think was the biggest thing?  And then how were you able to bounce back to still make Foot Locker Finals and run fairly well there?

I think poor sleep is one of the hardest things I had to deal with last year.  I still have problems falling to sleep this year, but unlike last year I am trying not to panic.  Making Foot Locker finals during my sophomore year was a really exciting experience.  Last year I just wanted to have the same experience and improve on my finish the previous year,  So I really wanted it.  That is the only reason why I made it back to San Diego.


4) You’ve made it to San Diego twice now, with solid results, but I’ve got to think you really want to do something big this year.  What are your goals for regionals and nationals and what kind of legacy do you want to leave with your final prep cross-country races?

It would be nice to place in the top five this year, or potentially win the finals.  First, I have to qualify.  I am hoping to be in the top ten at the Foot Locker regional in Wisconsin.


5) It’s been an interesting year for the great class of Colorado runners.  Bobby Nicolls had a great start, but then had struggles.  Evan Appel started a bit slow, but got better as the season went along.  Dart Schwaderer and Walter Schafer have both had some big wins, especially out of state.  Wes Rickman hasn’t quite shown the form of a 9:00 2-miler that he was indoors last year.  And you’ve probably had the most consistent year of all.  Do you know these guys pretty well and ever talk with them, or email … or even train with them?  What are your observations on the season for this great group of harriers?

I know these guys fairly well.  Most of us have been racing each other for a couple of years.  They are just outstanding guys--whether it’s through running or just as people.  I have jogged with a lot of these guys before races or simply just joke around before races.


6) I think that outside of Colorado, not many people know your story of how you got from the country of your birth – Burundi – to here, and what you and your family overcame.  Could you educate the readers of DyeStat a little bit on your family’s background?

I was born in Burundi, a small country in central Africa.  My mom moved the family to Tanzania in a refugee camp after the death of my father, who was murdered in the civil war.  I lived in the refugee camp for about five years.  My mom applied for a refugee status in Canada, but things didn't workout.  She then applied to the United States, and we got accepted, and come to Colorado (in 2001).


7)  From what I’ve read, it seems you are very close with your brothers (who also ran at Denver North) and your mom.  Can you talk about how family has helped you adapt to a new society and the roles they’ve played in supporting your running?  What are your older brothers doing now?

Actually, only two of my brothers attended North High School.  I have six brothers and two sisters.  To get back on the subject, I am very close with all my brothers and sisters.  One of my brothers who went to North High School is currently attending NYU. My other brother is at Columbia University (he is a good runner).  My other siblings are either married, working, or doing both.


8) You’ve been in The States for seven years now … Does Denver, Colorado and the U.S. as a whole feel pretty comfortable to you know?  Has North been good in helping you develop your academic interests?  I’ve heard you’ve taken some college courses already.  Have you made a verbal commitment yet or know which schools you’re most interested in?

North is a great place.  Not only has the school helped me develop my academic interests, but I have grown overall during my time at North.  As for college, I haven't made any verbal commitment yet; I am still thinking about my options
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9) Looking ahead a little to track … as well as you’ve run in XC, you haven’t really had the chance – or maybe taken the chance (?) – to put up a really big track time in the 1600 or 3200.  Are you hoping to get in a race, maybe out of state, this spring and shoot for a sub-9:00 (or sub-4:10) or better?

It would be great to go out of state and run the 1600 and 3200.  I know guys who were 9:27 in Colorado and ran 8:58 at sea level.  My point is that it's really hard to run fast in Colorado.  Come spring, I am hoping to run 9:00 and 4:10 in Colorado
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10) What are some of your long-term goals in terms of school and running?  If you continued to run through college and ever had a chance to try for a national team, would it be the United States or Burundi?  Do you have U.S. citizenship?

This is a very hard question that I have been asked numerous times. The United States is a great country with a lot of great opportunities.  But let’s be realistic; my chances of making the Olympics are very small.  It's too far into the future.  I will answer that question once I get there
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Photos of Manilafasha from Liberty Bell 08 and CO State 08 by Team Heiny

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