Being the best distance runner in his state of Idaho as a sophomore and junior, Elijah Armstrong has often had to travel great distance to find equal or better competition. The expensive and long trips have been rewarding though. He ran a 3200 PR of 9:04 as a freshmen at the Arcadia Invitational in California. Armstrong won the New Balance Indoor Nationals title in the 5K last March at the Armory in New York City with a national sophomore class record time of 14:54. He achieved his 5K PR of 14:28 with a third place finish at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina. No plane was needed to get the Pocatello High School junior Armstrong over to Boise State University this past weekend when he posted a US #1 time of 9:08 in the two mile and came back the next day to win the mile in a new PR time of 4:16. A sixth place finisher in December's Foot Locker Nationals, Armstrong was interviewed by MileSplit US fresh off his distance double in Boise and starts to turn his attention to the big hometown meet that most know nationally as the Simplot Games in mid February.
Race Video of Armstrong's US #1 2 Mile (9:08) at Jacksons Invitational
MileSplit US Interview with Pocatello (ID) High School junior Elijah Armstrong
MileSplit US: Lets first talk about your races this past weekend in Boise. Some of your first races of track season for you. What kind of expectations did you have for yourself and how did you feel fitness wise going into the meet?
Armstrong: Well for starters, my first meet was last weekend in Provo and that didn't go as well as I hoped, so I was a little more motivated for this meet and tried just to go after it.
MileSplit US: You capped off a strong cross country season with a 6th place finish for All-American honors at Foot Locker Nationals. Looking back at your cross country season, how did you overall feel and assess the season that you had?
Armstrong: Looking back at my season? I'm definitely happy with the way things went and ended. There were a few things I wish would have been a little different, but I've learned and am now working on those things.
MileSplit US: The race on Friday you came away with a US #1 time of 9:08 indoors and several guys in the mix to push you most of the way. Talk about having some good competition to press you to that national leading time and how you were able to come away with the win?
Armstrong: Oh man if it wasn't for the competition there is no way I could have ran that! Conner Mantz most of all as he took it out hard and kept an awesome pace. And to come away with the win, I just had to stay focused and push it a little harder at the end.
MileSplit US: Especially after running 9:04 at the Arcadia 3200 remarkably as a freshmen, do you feel the 2 mile race this past weekend is a great sign and indicator for you that you are ready to breakthrough with a new PR this year at the 2mile/3200 distance?
Armstrong: I definitely have high goals for this season, and hopefully I stay healthy and continue to work hard.
MileSplit US: What kind of training have you been able to get in the usual brutal winter weather months found in Idaho?
Armstrong: Well actually the weather here in Poky has been pretty nice for us! So I've been able to get on a track and log in some miles.
MileSplit US: The Simplot Games are coming up in a few weeks, which is a meet that many athletes in your part of the country circle on the calendar early. What events will you be racing at Simplot and what are your goals for that meet?
Armstrong: I'll be running the 3200 again. One because I think it's always more competitive than the mile and two because I've taken second two years in a row.
MileSplit US: What is about the Simplot Games that you think makes it such a special and great event for high school athletes in the Northwest?
Armstrong: In my opinion it's a totally different type of meet! I don't know what makes it so different, but I love it! And it's in my hometown.
MileSplit US: How big of a group of family, friends, fans and crowd support do you expect for that two mile race being the hometown favorite?
Armstrong: I have no idea. My family is always there, but hopefully I'll get my school out and the community.
MileSplit US: Winning the 5K and setting a sophomore indoor national record at the New Balance Nationals last year had to be a big moment in your young running career. Share with us what that win and achievement did for you as you have developed yourself into a national caliber high school runner?
Armstrong: It was an amazing experience overall, and it made me realize my goals aren't out of reach.
MileSplit US: Do you have plans to defend your title this year at the Armory or will you focus on the two mile or other events instead?
Armstrong: Yeah I'm planning on it. I'm hoping I can get a little help in getting to New York. Money is always a big factor.
MileSplit US: Also this weekend, you ran a mile PR of 4:16. It appears that you have been working on your leg speed after running a 4:15 1600 at your outdoor state meet. How do you feel about your time improvements and speed development in the shorter races?
Armstrong: I'm happy I was able to run this fast this early it just makes me that much more excited for where my times could be by the end.
MileSplit US: What are your top goals for the rest of your track season?
Armstrong: My number one goal is to always just try and stay healthy. And just give it my all in track, school, and overall my life.
MileSplit US: How does the lifestyle of your Mormon faith and the lifestyle of being a runner work well and in harmony with each other?
Armstrong: I love these types of questions! My religion is my life. If it wasn't for my religion, I wouldn't have the family, the lifestyle, and even be where I'm at today! In both running and everyday life.
MileSplit US: Most LDS members are big on honoring the Sabbath day as much as possible including not exercising on Sundays, so do you feel your body benefits from the recovery in taking those days off to start back up with your next week of hard training on Mondays?
Armstrong: Oh yeah by all means! I love Sundays because I'm able to go to church and after just recoup and get ready for the coming week.
MileSplit US: Dallin Farnsworth was big competition and someone to chase after locally as a freshmen. Who was been your top competition since he graduated and might you look to join him as a teammate later someday at BYU?
Armstrong: Since he left I've had to travel loads more for good competition. And in terms of maybe having him as a teammate who knows. BYU is on my option,s but I also have a lot of other schools up there!
MileSplit US: How much a sacrifice has your family and yourself had to make to have the means to travel around to so many meets out of the area and state to find competition?
Armstrong: It's always a sacrifice, by means of emotional and financially! That's why I try and find any help I can to travel while I remaining eligible by the NCAA rules.
