Interview with James Carney

by Rachel Wallack

James Carney has been working very hard this year, and it’s been paying off. He placed 14th in his marathon debut at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials — Men’s Marathon last November, yet was unhappy with his performance. The 29-year-old captured two national titles in 2008—at 20K in September and at the half-marathon in January—and was looking to end his season on a high note at the ING New York City Marathon. Carney lives in Boulder, CO, and is coached by Brad Hudson; for the past month he has also adapted lessons from legendary Welsh marathoner and 1988 New York City Marathon champion Steve Jones.
 
New York Road Runners caught up with Carney before his second attempt at the 26.2-mile distance.
 
New York Road Runners: You have two national titles and marathon experience in New York. Does it feel different coming into this race versus the Olympic Trials last year?
James Carney: This year I’ve been turning it around. I’ve gotten advice from a lot of people, including Steve Jones, to really just go for it. At least you know at the end of the day that you gave it everything you’ve got and left your soul on the course, even if you have to walk the last mile. That’s what I plan to do. It’s a huge day in my career. I didn’t get to go to Beijing, so this is on par with that race.
 
NYRR: What makes this race so significant to you?
JC: This whole year’s been about redemption—getting out there and loving it again. Loving the physical part, even a 20-mile tempo run, which may be weird; that’s just how it is. I really like marathon training. It’s fun. It’s all about execution now. We’ve [he and coach Brad Hudson] figured out how to fuel, what to drink, and now it’s execution. Brad has done a great job getting me physically ready. Every time I talk to Jonesey [Steve Jones], he gets me mentally ready. He’s taught me, if you never lay it on the line, you’ll never know what you can do.
 
NYRR: Do you have a particular plan for this race?
JC: I’m going to use controlled aggression; just go for it. The Kenyans don’t know who I am. I’m in a great position with no pressure. I’ve run every road race aggressively this year. I’ve had my vest up front. I want to do the same here and be up there with the guys I’ve always looked up to, like Paul Tergat. All year, every race, even if I was over my head or out of my league, I put myself up front. It’s been a pretty gratifying year.
 
NYRR: Why are you critical of your performance at last year’s Olympic Trials?
JC: Last year I was 70 at the half; that’s not my style, that’s cowardly. I talked to Jonesey about four weeks after the Trials last year and he told me, ‘You can run conservatively and still run well, but you’ll never be one of the great ones.’ You look at the guys who inspire people, and they’re the guys who run great—Jonesey, Steve Prefontaine. I’m going to do that for the rest of my career.  I’ve been thinking about this since last November. I felt that maybe if I’d run harder, I would’ve made the team.

NYRR: What makes you different from your competitors?
JC: It’s not necessarily a physical advantage—that’s guys like Abdi. I want it so badly. I want to succeed and redeem myself from last year. Now I’m finally there. I’ve been bridging the gap and clawing my way to the top, and now it’s like leaving my stamp.
I’ve embraced the marathon thing. I know what it’s like and what those last miles are. Dixon [Rod Dixon and his No. 3 NYRR Great Moment at the news conference on October 29] gave me goose bumps. I definitely voted for that. Rod’s race and Ryan’s [Hall] race at the Trials last year were inspiring.
 
NYRR: What’s your plan after this?
JC: I think I’m going to take one more crack at the track championships. This spring will be my last track season and then I’ll do marathons—probably two per year.
 
James Carney started the ING New York City Marathon 2008 on Sunday, November 2, and was part of a group of Americans that led early in the race. His 30K time was 1:36:36, but he dropped out after 20 miles.
 
Interview conducted on October 29, 2008 and posted on November 3, 2008.