2012 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix: Kick it with Maggie Vessey, courtesy of New Balance, video by Shoe Addicts, note by Larry Eder

Maggie Vessey is one of the most talented women in middle distance running. The folks at the NB Indoor Grand Prix caught up with her earlier this week! Here is what she had to say: (Remember, NB Indoor Grand Prix on Saturday, February 4, and watch in on February 5, just before that other game, the SuperBowl):

Kick It With Maggie

Your prediction on the Super Bowl?
Patriots 34, Giants 31.

2011 was a very solid year for you. What is the primary positive you take away from 2011 going into 2012?
I have a solid team in place and we know how we need to operate to be successful.

Outside of the 800m, what athlete in the sport do you most like to watch compete?
I
love watching Jesse Williams high jump. It just blows my mind how he
can make it over that bar! I also love watching Lashinda Demus. She’s
just so focused and gives every ounce of herself to the task. It’s
admirable and inspirational. And she’s also a mommy!

California is not known for indoor track meets. Do you like racing indoors?
I do like racing indoors. It’s tight, fast and exciting. The crowd is close and it just makes for a hyped up, fun experience.

How fast could you run in an open 400m when you are 100% racing fit?
My best is 53.5. I’d like to think I can run in the 52 range at peak fitness.

If you weren’t a professional runner, what do you think you’d be doing?
I
wanted to be a professional jockey but I got a little bit too big for
that job! I think I would like to be a psychologist of some
sort…industrial organizational or sports. Possibly some type of
apparel design. I love the world of health and fitness, so something in
that realm. Maybe coaching someday. There are several things I can
see myself getting into.

Favorite place in the world to race? To train?

I love training in Texas with my coach, Rose Monday. She beats me up
pretty good but she also spoils me a bit and I like that! I really love
racing in California.

Look ahead at the Olympic Trials. What sort of time do you think it will take to make the team?
I’m pretty sure it will take a low 1:58 effort.

Photo courtesy of PhotoRun.net

To check out the video salute to Maggie Vessey from the Shoe Addicts, please click here:
https://www.runblogrun.com/2011/09/maggie-vessey-video-from-the-shoe-addicts-note-by-larry-eder.html

To learn more about 2012 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, and perhaps, even, dare we suggest, buy tickets, please click here: http://www.nbindoorgrandprix.com/tickets/

Author

Larry Eder
Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."
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