2004 FOOT LOCKER CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Post-race interview with Justin Harbor

by Ricky Quintana

Justin Harbor, a junior at Flagler Palm Coast High School in Palm Coast, Florida, finished 40th at the 2004 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships. He qualified for nationals by finishing third at the Foot Locker South Regional.

Justin Harbor (Photo: Alison Wade/NYRR)

MensRacing.com: Tell me about your race.
Justin Harbor: It wasn't what I quite expected. It wasn't really the best race I ever ran, but I had a good season. I guess this isn't a good way to end it, but it's a way to end it. I wish I could have done better, but there's not much I can do now. The race is over.

MR: Did you feel flat or what was it?
JH: I just kind of felt exhausted. I don't know why. From the start, I just took off. I was in the middle of the pack. I was sitting where I wanted to be. Certain parts of the turns I just couldn't get where I wanted to be. I tried to make a move, but I couldn't because there was a mass of people around me. The next thing I knew, I was going up the hill. I was about 30th and then ‘boom' I was 40th. I was like ‘No.' I was really tired and I started the next loop and tried to work my way through. I'm not going to lie. I actually did give it pretty much all I had, but it just wasn't my day. That just happens.

MR: Was the course more challenging than you expected?
JH: Yes, definitely. I didn't think it was going to be that bad because I was practicing the hill, but I was also doing that by myself. I thought I did a pretty good job with my mental imaging, but I guess I didn't. Now I know what to expect for next year. I will tell you now, I will do better next year. Way better. All in all, it's a good experience. I'm glad I got to come. That was a major priority, just getting through. There's not much I can ask for right now. I had a great season. I won region and state. I think all and all it's been a great season and it's a perfect way to spend the last couple of days of it. I'm excited.

MR: What were your impressions of all the pomp and circumstance?
JH: [It was a] little bit too much. They are kind of treating us better than the way we should be treated, I guess. I mean, we're not Olympic athletes, but we're the top 40 in the nation. Hey, if they want to do it than it's fine by me. It was pretty cool. It made you feel like you were a star.

MR: What about the introductions? Was that a distraction at all?
JH: Not really. I guess I'm used to big lights and interviews. Other than that, it didn't really affect me. I thought it was fine. That was pretty cool. It was a good day.

(Interview conducted on December 11, 2004, and posted on December 16, 2004.)