Blogs : NCAA Division III Blog

Interview: Peter Kosgei of Hamilton College

(Photo courtesy of Trackshark DIII Blog)

Following on the heels of a cross country season whose only blemish was a runner-up finish at the National Championships, sophomore Peter Kosgei wasted no time opening eyes on the track as he ran 14:26.66 for 5000m (winning by 78 seconds!) just two weeks after running at St. Olaf.  Peter, a sophomore at Hamilton College by way of Kapsabet, Kenya, first made his presence known on the national scene when he recorded a runaway victory in the 3000m steeplechase at last year's Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.  His indoor season so far has been nothing short of stellar, with school records at five different distances and two nation-leading (and automatic qualifying) times in the mile and 5000.  Peter seems almost certain of recording Hamilton's first ever indoor track All-American performance, with the only question being what event(s) he will choose to contest.  We caught up with Peter to ask him about this as well as his background that allowed him to begin his college career with such immediate success.

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself, like where you're from and how you got started running?

I was born in a small town called Kapsabet in the Rift Valley province, Kenya.  I went to high school in Kenya and I came here in 2006. I started running in the summer of 2006 when I got admitted at Hamilton.

How do your PRs in high school compare to what you've done so far in college?  More importantly, how has your understanding of training, racing, and running in general evolved?

In high school, I was concerned more about academics and I didn't run.  I knew that I could run but I used to wait for track season; then I would train for two weeks and maybe race twice.  That was in my senior year. I did run the 800 once, in 2:12 and 1500 in 4:30sh.  That's all.  My PRs so far are as follows: 800 - 1:52.04, Mile - 4:09.31 ,3k - 8:26, 5k - 14:26.  Everyday I learn a new thing, whether I am racing or just watching.  The key thing about training is an attitude that comes right from the heart and mind.

What drew you to the United States to attend college and run?  Furthermore, what drew you to choose Division III, and Hamilton College in particular?

That's a little sketchy and I don't know how to answer that, but I knew I could run.  Therefore, I wanted to start serious training in college and see how it went.  Why Hamilton?  I had known Hamilton for its strong academic reputation and standards, and from my experience academics goes hand in hand with athletics. I also liked Hamilton because it's a small school.

What is your favorite workout during the track season and what do you like about it?

 My favorite workout is 5-6 mile repeats. [Editors’ note: Peter also describes this workout in an interview with the Hamilton Spectator.]  I like it because it tells me how long I can sustain a fast pace.  That's important to me because sometimes someone can make a long, suicidal move in the middle of big races. 

You've run nationally-ranked times in every event from the 800 to the 5000 in the past year.  Which events do you plan on racing at the indoor National meet?  What about outdoors?  What are your goals for yourself this year?

For indoor nationals, I'll talk with my coach and we'll see what will work best for me.  That said, I might run one or two events, but I am not positive about that.  All I know is that I am going to participate in least one event; the same thing applies to outdoors.  Of course I'll do the steeplechase and maybe something else.  For now, I’m going to focus on what I have ahead of me and outdoors will come later.  My goal this year is to be All-American.

Who has been the biggest influence in your life and/or running?

My biggest influence is my mother.  When I was at home, I would carefully watch her whenever she ran and I envied her strides.  Later on during the day, we would jog to the shops and I would mimic the way she ran.

You mentioned that you tried to emulate your mother when you started running.  Has she done serious training, or does she just run as part of her everyday life?

She used to run in school but she didn't run professionally.  She likes running whenever she's late going somewhere.

What was it like running 8:55.41 to win the National Championship in the steeplechase as a freshman, breaking your own school record and previous Personal Best by 14 seconds?  How has this affected your outlook on running, and what did you learn from the experience?

I would have to say I was expecting a faster pace, even though the first two laps were kind of fast with some pushing and elbowing.  Three laps into the race, everybody settled in and we kept up the pace until the last lap when I stepped forward and kicked.  It was a good experience given that I was only a freshman, and the fact that I was seeded 10th.  However, my goal was to break 9:00.  From that, I learned that everything is possible as long as you have a positive attitude.

How much mileage were you doing last year before you won the steeplechase at Nationals?  What has your mileage been like so far this year?

I am not really high mileage guy.  Some people don't really believe this but before outdoor nationals, I was averaging 55-65. My current mileage is 50-60 or maybe slightly below that.

What do you like the most about Hamilton College Cross Country and Track?

I love my teammates and coaches; they are so friendly and hospitable. I like the idea that they have gotten to know me well.  There are so many things that I like about Hamilton Cross country and track that I can't state all of them.  All I know is that it's just perfect for me.

What's the relationship between the track team and the other athletic teams?  What's the athletic culture like at Hamilton?

I guess I don't know much about Hamilton's athletic culture.  However, I think Hamilton does a good job of mixing strong academic and athletic standards.

How do other students (non-runners) and professors at your school view the track team and its members?

From my experience, almost everyone at Hamilton is following what's going on in athletics.

Since the disputed general elections in late December, the news has been filled with daily harrowing reports of violent unrest in Kenya.  How has it been for you to be so far from Kapsabet while all of this has been going on?  What are your thoughts on the situation?

Sometimes I feel so bad; I just keep praying that things will be fine soon.  I don't really like politics but when such things happen, I can't stop myself from thinking about what's going on.  The faster the two sides reach a consensus, the better.

Most people probably don't realize this, but Peter Kosgei of the University of Arkansas also runs the steeplechase (he's broken 8:30) and he's from your same hometown of Kapsabet, Kenya!  How does it feel not to be the fastest steeplechaser named Peter Kosgei from Kapsabet?  Also, are there other famous runners from near where you grew up?

I didn't even know the other Peter Kosgei before I came to the US.  In Kenya, new runners emerge almost every year and it's difficult to keep track of all of them.  I am still young and think everything will come at the right time.  I can't mention all  the famous athletes from Kapsabet.  Janet Jepkosgei, the world 800 champion is from Kapsabet.  Wilfred Bungei, Peter Rono, and I think Bernard Lagat all come from Kapsabet. They are just too many for me to mention all of them.

Are there any other closing thoughts or pieces of wisdom you'd like to share?

If everyone does the best for himself then there's no limit to what we can achieve and impossible is nothing.  When you do anything, do it with all your heart and forget about tomorrow because the uncertainty of tomorrow is way too much to worry about now.

Thanks to Peter for a fantastic interview.

Untitled Comment

5:11 PM, February 9, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

the future of college XC and track

Kosgei

3:32 PM, February 11, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

Unbelieavable character.

Untitled Comment

12:23 PM, February 14, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

So was Kosgei really a sophomore this year in cross? He didn't run XC last year for Hamilton I don't think. He might have been a second semester freshman a la Yuot at his first XC nationals.

awesome!

12:03 AM, February 15, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

one of my favorite runners to cheer for, and has always shown class-- i'm glad we have him represeting d3. someone should let him know... his stride also inspires people to watch in awe! (like his mom's)

Kosgei

12:09 PM, February 15, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

Peter is a class act!!!!