Jordan McNamara, 2016 Olympic hopeful: From dreams to reality

Danny Duncan: While competing as a kid, was it a dream of yours to run for the university of oregon?

Jordan McNamara: “I think almost every high schooler dreams of one day becoming a reincarnation of Steve Prefontaine- flying down the backstretch while proudly sporting the prestigious Green and Yellow of Oregon. While I certainly harbored such notions, I never actually thought of them as realistic. 

Graduating HS, I attending the University of Washington, following the footsteps of an older runner from my HS- who had been an incredible mentor. After a year of constant injuries, I decided to take my fate into my own hands, and left for Eugene, Oregon. In my heart, I knew that moving to the world’s capital of T&F was the one true way to fulfill my potential. 

Though a gamble without a doubt, I can’t say I’m dissapionted with the results so far.”

Danny Duncan: What was your most memorable experience competing for the U of O?

Jordan McNamara: “As the saying goes, “Ain’t nothin’ like your first time”. I’ll never forget my first race as an Oregon Duck. The race was 1500, held at Hayward Field, as a part of the UCLA vs Oregon dual meet- a meet that stretched back through the decades. The 1500 was a loaded race, featuring several high-caliber athletes- including Oregon’s AJ Acotsa, and UCLA’s Laef Barnes- both who had ran 3:58-59 Miles that indoor season.

I had missed indoors with a strained achilles and was just rounding myself into shape. Approaching the race, I’d figured that 3rd or 4th would be a solid debut. On the starting line, I looked around, taking in the 8000-strong crowd, massive grandstands, TV cameras…. it all instilled in me a deep sense of belonging.

The pace was honest throughout. Through straining, I kept myself in close contact, sitting in the middle of the tight pack. With 300m to go, I was still in the hunt, sitting in 3rd place. Wildly, I swung into lane 3 and kicked, moving into 2nd and vieing for the lead. The crowd bellowed its approval. It was that noise that made the tiny hairs on my arms stand on end; haunting in the most motivating way

Aj responded and with 200 to go, the race was on, Aj leading, with Laef and I going blow for blow after the Bowerman Curve. I was in a state of agony, spurred on by something else. Finally, we hit the top of the straight away: AJ leading by 2 meters, Laef chasing him, and I another 2 meters back. It was at that moment something happened that I will never forget.

There was no pain, no thought, only a resolve. With 80 meters to go, I was gaining on the runner in Blue. 60 to go, I drew even as the crowd’s noise drew to a level that was truly overwheleming. Even thinking of it now prompts tiny goosebumps to appear. AJ and I finished one-two, capturing crucial pionts for the Ducks and solidfying my place amongst elite Miler’s at the U of O and across the country.“

 

Danny Duncan: What did it mean to you the first time you broke 4 minutes in the mile?

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Jordan McNamara: “Honestly, the 4 minute mile was a big weight off my shoulders, that’s all. Like I said, I’ve loved running throught my career, even before I was really successful at it. I can honestly say the breaking five minutes for the mile was as satisfying as breaking 4 minutes for a mile. Both required intense sacrifice and precise execution, the latter just took me a bit more time to achieve. :p”

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Danny Duncan: What are your thoughts on becoming a professional runner for Nike?

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Jordan McNamara: “I’ve always drempt of becoming a Professional runner for Nike, They respresent the competitive drive found within all great athletes. I feel honored the represent the same brand as great athletes like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Andre Agassi. I’ve always loved Nike’s innovative products. It’s a surreal honor to don the whoosh every day, wheather in training or at competition.”

Thank you for your time Jordan! Keep up the hard work 🙂 – Danny

 

Follow the link below and check out Jordan’s Blog!

McNamara Running: A detailed look into the life of an olympic hopeful

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Follow Jordan on Twitter:@JordanMcNamara

Thanks for reading! Follow me for more @DannyDuncanPT

Jordan McNamara, 2016 Olympic hopeful: High school and his love for running

Thanks for joining us everyone! Today we have with us, professional runner Jordan McNamara, 2016 Olympic hopeful. Jordan runs for Nike & the Oregon Track Club, he is also a sub 4:00 minute miler with an incredible story! We are going to sit down and find out, what his high school experience was like, from being brand new to the sport and earning the credentials as one of the top high school runners in the country before he was finished.

Danny Duncan: You have had tremendous success as a runner, describe how it was competing in high school and what it meant to you?

Jordan McNamara: “High school for me was all about discovering my love of running. In Middle School, I was lazy and more focused on the latest video game. I’ll never forget my first HS XC practice. I Showed up- donned in basketball shoes and baggy shorts, with absolutely no idea what I was doing. As the run started, I asked some of the fellow runners who the boys leading the pack were. “Those are the varsity guys, best to let them go”. Without a second’s hesitation, I pushed my way to the front, determined to last with the school’s top dogs. Needless to say, my mental grit carried me as far as I could throw. I ended up getting dropped at mile 4 of an 8 mile deathmarch- ultimately finishing half an hour behind the varsity boys. I limped home, sore and fatigued beyond reason and vowed I’d never run again. The next day I showed up, and haven’t missed a beat since. 

Jordan Competing in high school. (17 years old)

Through HS, my enthusiasm was a constant. It was my fitness that continued to grow. From the beginning, I loved to run, I mean really just absolutely LOVED the sensation. I would sit in class all day, twitching and waiting, anxious to hear the bell of freedom. Within 5 minutes of school’s end, I would be hot on the trial, usually alone, smiling for no reason what so ever. Even at the tender age of 16, I would run 14,15, even 16 miles, all for the simple joy of it. Little did I know, I was laying the foundation for something truly special. As I matured I got better, rising through the ranks until I was one of the best in the state, and even the country. I would run at 5 A.M., often in the dark, pretending to be Dathan Ritzenhein or Alan Webb- runners who I would down the line race, and even beat.

Sure I had my set backs. As a senior, I went through my final XC season undefeated. I would finish races and spectators would think I’d taken a short cut, such was the amount of victory. Once this began to occur again and again, such notions were dismissed. those watching had little understanding that I had simply worked at an incredible level- in excess of 100 miles a week- all because I wanted to. Unfortunately, I suffered a stress fracture and was unable to compete in the post season championships. As always, I bounced back. I took my anguish and replaced it with my love of running, letting it fuel me to work deligently while rehabbing my injury back to health. I ultimately graduated HS with decent credentials, but not ones indicative of the future that was to come.”

Find out more about Jordan in the next interview. We will be discussing his dreams after high school, his most memorable moment while competing in college and what it meant for him to break 4-minutes in the mile.

Everyone show your support!

I want to wish Jordan the best for his upcoming track season, along with thanking him for his time!

Follow Jordan on Twitter:@JordanMcNamara

Thanks for reading! Follow me for more @DannyDuncanPT