Socialing The Distance featuring Jake Wightman, Mr. 3:29.47, (and now 1:44.18)

Socialing The Distance featuring Joe Klecker ( prior to his race at the PARIS TEN, March 16, 2024)

Socialing The Distance featuring Geordie Beamish (complete interview), before he won Gold in Glasgow

Socialing The Distance with Larry Eder Featuring Robert Griffin III, ESPN analyst & former NFL Quarterback -2011 Heisman Trophy Winner -2012 Offensive ROY -Pro Bowl Quarterback Clip: Thoughts on Jim Hines & Track Toughness

RunBlogRun presents

Socialing The Distance with Larry Eder

Featuring Jake Wightman

Full Episode

August 26, 2020

Jake Wightman made a big move on the last lap in the 1,500m in Monaco DL on August 14, 2020. With 200m to go, the young Brit passed Henrik Ingebrigtsen. ” I saw that Henrik was getting tired,” noted Jake to this writer.

Jake Wightman, photo by Mike Deering, The Shoe Addicts, 2020 NB Indoor GP

The TV shows the rest. Jake Wightman got close to Jakub Ingebrigtsen and Timothy Cheruiyot, but the top two put a second on Jake, with Cheruiyot at 3:28.45 WL and Jakub Ingebrigtsen went 3:28.68 NR, ER in second.

Jake Wightman went to number 2 All time Brit, ahead of Steve Cam and Seb Coe. That is some rarified lists!

Jake Wightman, photo by Mike Deering, The Shoe Addicts, 2020 NB Indoor GP

When I asked Jake about the Monaco event, he said that he wished that he had made a move on Timothy Cheruiyot and Jakub Ingebrigtsen.

I put in my notes, “Jake has brass ones.”

Yes, I belive he does.

But the thing is, Jake is not one who uses hyperbole. He calls them as he sees them.

I have always enjoyed chatting with Jake, because that is what it is, a chat. He has got some humor, and he is a keen observer. I would love to put a camera on his brain and see what he is thinking.

Wightman has learned in many races that did not go to his plans, and his moves are quick, done with surgical precision. Look at his

expressions down the last straight-he looked to be mimicing childbirth.

Thanks Jake Wightman, you are an excellent interview. Thanks to Sandra Nels Kurman on organizing the convo. And special thanks to Mike Deering on producing the video and managing Socialing the Distance.

Updated 9 September 20202

On 8 September 2020, Jake Wightman won his first big 800 meters with a 1:44.18 PB in Ostrava.

Time table, Socialing the Distance with Jake Wightman

Time Stamps:

0:00 – Introduction/ talking through his 3:29:47

1:27 – Steve Cram/Tim Hutchings on Race

2:42 – Perfecting the last 300m

3:41 – Working on top end speed

4:55 – Early phases in the 3:29:47 race

6:11 – MonacoDL vs Doha2019 WC

7:22 – Focusing on 800m for rest of season

7:39 – Traveling to Monaco during COVID

10:01 – Previous race before Monaco

10:29 – Training during COVID

14:03 – More COVID talk

16:38 – More on the 3:29:47

16:59 – Does 3:28 scare you?

18:18 – On the Blocks

21:31 – Resurgence in European Athletics

23:03 – If you were CEO of British Athletics for One Day

26:00 – Competing until 2028?

26:46 – Perfect Racing Distance

27:04 – Surprised by Bryce Hoppel’s race in Monaco?

27:44 – New Balance Sponsorship

29:29 – Do you enjoy Indoor Racing?

30:28 – Coaching/influence from Father

32:24 – How often do you meet up with your father?

32:40 – Will you ever run a 5km?

33:31 – Typical mileage per week?

33:57 – Describing a quality training session

35:25 – Will you go into announcing post retirement

36:43 – Epilogue

For more information: www.runblogrun.com

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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