Feinstein Preps for Yale with a Big Win

Jake Feinstein burst onto the scene last spring when he posted a 4:18.79 at the Danbury Dream Mile.  The time catapulted the Newtown sophomore into the national rankings, and by the end of the year, he would rank 20^th in the country for his class.

2012 appears to be just as promising.  Feinstein opened the season with a solid showing at the Millrose Games Trials, and then posted an impressive double at the SCC Coaches Invitational.  He won the 1600m that day in 4:27.22, and then finished 4^th in the 3200m.

MileSplit CT was able to catch-up with Jake as he prepares to take-on some of the best distance runners on the East Coast at the Yale Track Classic this weekend.

How did you get started in distance running?

I started running distance when I was a freshman, and chose to go out for the cross country team. My dad was a runner in high school and encouraged me to try it, so I took his advice.

Your 4:18 in the mile from last spring was one of the fastest times in New England for the sophomore class.  How did that race change the way you approached this season?

The dream invite mile was a big race for me. It was 5 second mile PR and brought my level of confidence up tremendously. It allows for me to set higher goals for this season and for my future in distance running. My goal for this indoor season is to get down to 4:15.

Last week you put together an impressive double at the SCC Coaches Invitational; winning the 1600m and finishing 4^th in the 3200m.  Is doubling something you do often, and how did that meet fit into the overall picture of the season?

Doubling is not one of my strengths, so I try to do it as much as possible in the early season meets to make me stronger for the championship season. Though I was very disappointed with the 3200, this meet was a good starting point to the season. Off of doing high base mileage and nothing more then a threshold or tempo training wise thus far, I'm happy about where I am at this point.

The Yale Track Classic is this weekend and you are scheduled to run the 3,000m.  What is your race strategy for managing the traditionally very fast field?

My strategy for Yale is to stay up front and let somebody do the pace work for the beginning. Having 6 days without racing after coming off a week of running 3 races in 4 days, I plan to be in the mix up front with a goal time of 8:40.

What are your goals for the season?

My goals for this season are to run 4:15 for the mile, and under 9:15 for the two mile. As well as placing top 3 in New England and having a good showing at nationals. Lastly and most important of most of all, stay healthy.