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Nine questions for Jenny Simpson!

Nine questions for Jenny Simpson!

Jenny Simpson has just retired. The most medaled American middle distance runner in modern memory (three World Championship medals, 2011 gold in Daegu, 2013 silver in Moscow, silver in 2017 London, one Olympic medal, bronze in London in 2017). Jenny has always been an excellent interviewee. Thanks to Stuart Weir, RunBlogRun’s European editor, for sending in this interview! 

This interview with Jenny Simpson, compiled, curated, and edited by Stuart Weir, celebrates her amazing career.

Nine questions to Jenny Simpson*

How did you start running?

I started running in elementary school when I was very young, running in little races – kids’ races, road races, or track meets- ever since I was in third grade.

Do you remember your first-ever race?

Absolutely. I do because a girl called Brittany won and I was second. We were both third graders. It was a dive for the finish. It was my first race with 100 kids, and 2 of us were strong at the finish. Such a funny moment to look back on when I was 9 years old. [And even more amusing to think after all she has achieved that, she still remembers the name of the 9-year-old who beat her.]

How do you deal with injury?

Injury is always challenging. Despite how often you see athletes get injured, get healthy, return to the sport, and do well again, you always wonder if you can do it. So when there is an injury, there is always a doubt. Am I ever going to be healthy again? So, weathering the storm is as much about staying calm as believing in yourself. You have to get through the bad days to enjoy the fun days.

Jenny Simpson takes the gold, Hannah England takes silver, Daegu 2011, photo by World Athletics.

You have done 1500, 3000, Cross Country, and road-running. What is your favorite?

My absolute true love is cross country. That is where I started. That is where my heart is; I love to run cross-country races. I love the person-to-person combat you experience in cross country; the courses are always different. And you are weathering the elements. Many things in cross country speak to me as a human being and make me feel very competitive. But track will always be special to me. I will always have a lot to thank track for my whole life because it gave me a taste of the world stage. And in 1500, I got the chance to take home the ultimate prize of being the world champion.

Volunteering?

It is so essential for people to be involved with their communities. The human connection in communities is vital for our well-being and…

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