After Robert Gary made the Athens Olympic team he would tell reporters after the Olympic Trials that he was going to retire after the Olympic. Is he...read his answers below.. RUNOHIO caught up with Robert Gary before he left town for his wedding on June 24 th .

Robert Gary, 31, is a graduate of Evanston Township High School in Evanston, IL and The Ohio State University. Robert is the head cross-country and assistant track and field coach at OSU. Rob won the Illinois State 2-mile and was second in the mile his senior year. Rob was a Big Ten Champion in the Steeplechase and broke Bob Kennedy's Big Ten 3,000 meter record with his 7:52 clocking. Rob also was an NCAA All American in cross- country, indoor track and outdoor track.

In 1996 Rob finished second in the Steeple Chase Olympic Trials and was a member of the U.S. Olympic team. Rob was a member of the 1999 and 2003 World Championships team and a 7-time World Cross Country team member. He won the 2003 U. S. Cross Country Championships and was runner up in the 2004 U.S. Cross Country Championships.

Editor notes: Robert's OSU teammate Mark Croghan won the 1996 Olympic Trials Steeple Chase and also ran in the 2000 Olympics.

Robert finished eighth in the 2000 Olympic Trials with an 8:25.87.

The Olympics semi finals in the 3000 Meter Steeple Chase are on Saturday, August 21 and the finals are Tuesday, August 24th.

Congratulations on earning a return trip to the Olympics...but before we get to the race, tell the readers of RUNOHIO how the steeple has gone for you since the 1996 Olympics.

"It has gone well. I have been stuck at 8:19 and have run it now 5 different times. I have made some world championship teams and made the finals at USA's every year I've contested it."

How has your training been going leading up to the Trails?

"Training has gone really well. Leading into the world cross- country trials, my mileage has gone from consistently 65-75 miles to 90 with the percentage of quality still being the same. This is a big difference. I didn't just add a bunch of easy running--my quality workload also increased and that is something that a lot of runners/coaches miss."

How did the race go for you?

"It went well--I promised myself that I would make sure that the pace stayed up because I really felt that there weren't more than 3 guys (myself included) who could actually run sub-8:20 pace. There was a spot 3 laps into it where we started slowing and I got the pace going again for 300m and then with 3 laps to go, I sensed that Steve was falling off and really decided to try to stay on the pace and led for a lap or so. With one to go, I snuck a look back and realized we had some serious ground on 4th. That was a big mistake because I lost aggressiveness with the hurdles. I pulled even with Fam with 250m to go and had my eyes set on a hard stretch run on Lincoln, but came to an almost complete stop at the #3 barrier and from that point on, I was just trying to survive. I can't remember the last time I ran my last lap that slow, but I was also very grateful to make another Olympic team."

What are your goals in Athens?

"The goal for the whole year was to make the Olympic finals. I tried to hold off on some of the anaerobic/speed work in hope of sharpening up for only the Games. I do not believe that most runners can keep their aerobic systems heightened, as I'll need it to be once this type of work is started. I would be disappointed if I did not make the finals and the cool thing is, I think we could very possibly have 3 American finalists and that would be special."

You have said you are retiring after the Olympics. Do you plan to retire from running cross-country as well? Will we see you come out of retirement in a few years? Or see you at a few local road races?

"I have just said that I expect a great year this year. If I can end with a great Olympics and a real run at running very fast in a meet afterwards, I would definitely want to run steeple for at least next year. I couldn't imagine not running cross-country--but as far as road races go or what I'll do when I stop competitive running, I could see myself getting back to playing some other sports too. I think I've sapped most of the athleticism, jumping ability, and hand-eye coordination over the last ten years of only running!"

Congratulations on getting married last month, do you plan to take some time off from training leading up to Athens?

"A good mileage week (90) and some high-quality fast work begun is the plan. My fiance has handled everything and really made the trials as easy as possible. I am grateful for that; she knows the big goal this year is to make the finals at the Games."

I know you were kind of sick last year...would you mind sharing what the problem was?

"I had an ulcer that I caught at World Cross--it was a bacteria that brought about some acid reflux that made running really impossible for three weeks after. Looking back and once I've made the team, I am excited at how ready I feel to jump right back into training and getting fitter to handle the faster pace at the Games and beyond."

How was it being at the Trails with two of your athletes; Ian and Rob, running in the 1500 before your finals?

"It was tough. Ian is running in North Carolina now, but I'll always want to see him do well. I mentioned to Rob at the beginning of the year that Rob would need to give me some time before my race for me to focus on what I had to do. Truth is, I see a lot of over-coaching at championship meets. Rob is a terrific competitor and I never worry about his competitive spirit (this probably goes for the majority of the guys I coach). We talk quite a bit about keeping things simpler and having some basic ideas versus trying to "figure out what is going to happen" when the championship season begins. Too much wasted energy in that. I have probably learned that more from the guys on the team than I exhibit myself."

Rob ran a great race and placed third in the 1500. What were your feelings watching it?

"I won't mention names, but the guy I was sitting next to remarked that Rob was out of it with about 500m to go. He was a bit far back, but when I saw him shake his arms out at 400m I stood up and yelled he'd be no worse than 2nd! I have just seen him get things rolling too many times! He moved beautifully from 400 to 100 to go and I have never seen Rob not beat a guy he pulls even with. Gruber ran a fantastic race and it says a lot about him that he was able to hold Rob off. Ultimately, it really reminded of 1996 when Croghan and I finished 1-2; it's the closest you come to having teammates in what is ultimately a very lonely sport. When I made the team this time, it was more a relief; to watch Rob race was a complete joy."

Do you know of any other college coach who ran and placed in the top three and also had a college athlete they coach place in the top three at the same Trials?

"I don't think so, but I wouldn't be surprised. Throughout the Trials action, there seem to be relationships--whether they're training partners, college teammates, or coach/athlete, where the all had a fantastic performance. You see it all the time in college cross-country where this special spirit just starts to permeate a whole group and result in outstanding performances. I do not believe in luck in our sport, only running as fast as you're capable! I don't coach a huge team and never want to; I want the whole group of distance guys at O.S.U. involved and working towards something. Only then can special things happen!"

Can you explain the situation on how Rob doesn't have a chance to make the "A" standard for the Olympics.

"First of all, I know people expect me to be all bitter because I have an athlete who seems to have been pork-chopped with these procedures, but I think it is fair. The rules were decided quite some time ago and weren't tough to understand, but it does have the feel of a smoke-filled back room as far as who decided on these rules. I have both loved and at times hated the finality of track and having to do something at a set time and set date with only one chance. I have experienced great thrill and tough heartbreak, but that is ultimately why our sport is so great. You don't see 100 port-a-johns at swimming contests or golf or other sports; it's because distance runners are nervous; they're nervous because they're invested. Hard training, lifestyle choices, and just the sheer toil of the endeavor make it so rewarding when it works out! So while I think the standards procedure is fair--I think it's dumb. It may be a bit like college NCAA cross-country qualifying, except the point system there is needed because of the disproportionate number of quality teams in different regions. The Trials could be the absolute fairest event. If I would compromise a change, I would disregard "B" standards. You'd still name Alan and Grant, but you'd then go to the highest Olympic Trials guys to fill the 4-person roster and they'd be allowed to chase the "A" until the date. If Gruber and/or Rob got the "A," they'd go by virtue of beating Grant at the Trials. The actual Trials should be no less than the 2nd thing a selection process draws on. One of the most impressive things I saw at the Trials was Webb hammering the backstretch with 700 meters to go! He wasn't trying to figure out how little he could do and still get to go to Athens; good for him!"

How will the OSU cross-country team be this fall?

"We should be real strong. We'll have a young team because I plan to red-shirt a couple of our older guys. I hope a level has been reached where we're always going into the fall season thinking about the top 15 at NCAA's no matter what we're trying to do with people's eligibility. We have three of the Ohio State Champions coming and I hope they'll be as successful as our others we've had over the last seven years. 2005 will be very special."

Do you plan to run with the team next fall?

"I'll just be getting back and taking a break. I don't do too much running with them until maybe outdoor track and usually just with the guys who are running NCAA's/USA Championships. We're on different training periods and I always stress the importance of individualized training here. I mentioned earlier that I have a very small team, but we've had good success by making sure each person is actually being coached; I don't see this happening at tons of schools. Young men hoping to just be 'kicking it' on our team, do not last long. So, it seems like it would send a bad message if I were to sacrifice either one of our training programs."

Do you see yourself coaching the rest of your life or is there something else you would like to do?

"Definitely. I really enjoy it. Even with the rough times or a less than great performance, I love the passion that is constantly present. I can't believe I have a job that I care so much about. That is pretty special!"

Other articles about Robert Gary, which appeared on RUNOHIO's web site:

2004 Cross Country Championships:

http://www.runohio.com/news/02-07-04X-C_champs.html

http://www.runohio.com/news/02-07-04X-C_champs_day_2.html

IAAF World Track & Field Championships

http://www.runohio.com/news/08-11-03_gary.html