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Since October, American Christian Academy's Joy Griffith has shot like a meteor from a 1A contender to one of the state's
premier athletes in any division. Since her second-place finish at the Jesse Owens Classic landed her on the forefront of the
state's running stage, Griffith has continued to surprise track enthusiasts.
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The future looks bright for Joy Griffith now. This spring she will compete for several state championships in Class 1A, a
chance set every 1A distance record, and the distinctions of being Alabama's fastest female distance runner in 2003 and one
of the fastest ever. After graduating from ACA, she will head to Starkville, Mississippi, to attend Mississippi State University on
academic scholarship and compete for the Bulldog track and cross country teams.
But before she does all that, she'll take the time for this interview with AlabamaRunners...
AlabamaRunners: With four events on your schedule Saturday, how did you plan to approach each race to run well
in each one?
Joy Griffith: I'm ashamed to say I only had a vague plan for each of my races. In the 1600, I was expecting to lead
for 2-4 laps and then I assumed Tara would come up and slaughter the rest of the field as usual. My thought was to keep with
her for as long as I could; it never occurred to me that I could win. I put almost no thought into the 400 and 800. The game
plan was to take the lead and run fast and don't let anyone pass me. For the 3200, I was expecting to place 3rd or 4th. The
800 had been a scarce 45-60 minutes before and I had already run two other races that day. Exhausted, I nearly scratched,
but I needed the time for state. Winning wasn't even thought of until the last 2-3 laps came around. Honestly, running the
400 was stupid. Yes, it was fun, but by the end of the day my stomach was eating itself and my legs were shaking. It was too
much for one day.
AR: You are now one of the state's top performers in the 800 (2:25), 1600 (5:13), and 3200 (11:21) for this indoor
season. Which of these events and times means the most to you?
JG: Everything has been so unexpected this year that it's beyond an honor, it's surreal. I went from being a complete
unknown to the top of the field and I'm a little unnerved by it all. My 5:13 1600 is my pet PR right now. I've always had a
special place in my heart for the 1600 anyways.
AR: What are your expectations and goals for the rest of your season, as of now?
JG: Well, they've all changed within this past week, but I think I've settled on some fine, high quality goals now.
My present coach (from Tuscaloosa County High) and my future one (from MSU), both expect me to break 5:00 in the 1600 in outdoor. Future
coach wants me to run a 5:0-something this weekend. I'm keeping my skepticism to myself. I'd be happy with a nice, solid
5:05, but I'm certainly not averse to running under that. I believe I can set a record in the 3200 this year, so I'm looking
for an 11:09 in indoor and under 11 for outdoor. The 800 is a new distance for me and is still unfamiliar territory. A
2:15-2:20 would be enjoyable.
AR: This fall you ran a 17:46 5K just a week after finishing 14th at the Footlocker Regional race in Charlotte. If
you had run that time just a week earlier it would have earned you a trip to San Diego. Now that you've had time to reflect
on that, what's your attitude toward it? Has it affected the way you've been training for this year's track seasons?
JG: There is no regret within me for missing San Diego. Footlocker Nationals would have fallen right in the middle
of my senior trip and I wouldn't have wanted to decied between the two. Fortunately, I didn't have to. And no, it really
hasn't affected my training; I'm doing what I've always done.
AR: How have your school and family reacted to your success this year? Your signing with MSU?
JG: My family has been tickled pink with my success, especially Dad. He's been the most delighted about my
scholarship and recent successes. He's likes to act coachy- asking me about my race strategy, running thither and yon with
his stopwatch, taking splits, discussing--in detail-- how my races went, even if they went badly. I know I don't appreciate
him enough. As for my school, I don't like to mention my races to them. They know I'm fast, but to them fast is defined
exclusively by 40 yard dash times. The next football player who asks me what I run the 40 in (after they've heard I've won
some mile race) will die. It also seems that the races that they do find the results for, are my bad ones. It gets old
explaining what a 5k is, or indoor track, or why a second place finish in one race is more disappointing than a 7th place
finish in another race last week. But they mean well.
AR: Do you have any 'heroes' you compare yourself against to gauge your success?
JG: My greatest heroines are Tiffany McWilliams and Heather Tanner (the 1a state record holder in the 1600 and 3200).
What's been so unsettling about my recent explosions on the track is that I've realized I'm nearly the equals of those girls.
They've always been a breed apart from me in my mind but now I am them.
AR: How do you think running has shaped your personality--the way you think of yourself or the way your non-track
friends (or family) think of you?
JG: I'm sad to say that running is partly a measure of my self-worth. Not so much as it used to be, but for as long
as I run, it'll have an impact on my self image. Running doesn't come up that often in conversations with friends or family,
but they seem to simply consider it a part of what I am. But one of my close adult mentors, more of an adopted aunt, thinks
I run too much.
AR: What is your attitude toward competing in 1A without much competition, while the girls closer to your ability
level face each other regularly in the larger divisions? Did this factor into your decision to enter the most competitive
track conference in the country?
JG: I'm quite dismissive of 1A. Ever since I won the state 1600 in 8th grade with the whopping time of 6:30, I've
been rather snooty about the whole thing. Occasionally, a little whippersnapper will pop up that causes problems, but
that's fairly rare. Gotta watch out for those whippersnappers. But this had no bearing on my decision to run for MSU. I'm
going to MSU for the veterinary school and its closeness to home. The team is nice bonus though.
AR: What do you most look forward to in making the transition from high school to college competition next year?
JG: I'm looking forward to having a team--a really, really good team. Life will also be much simpler when I'm
attending the school that I'm training with. And it'll be less stressfull to run in the middle of the pack during a race.
AR: If you didn't run track, what other sport or hobby would you pursue?
JG: I would do soccer. That's the only other sport that ever tickled my fancy.
AR: Who were the biggest influences to getting you into track, and to what or whom do you attribute any part of your
success?
JG: At my elementary school, we were forced to run around this 1/2 mile field everyday at the beginning of PE. And
being such a competitive youngster, I would race around it with the boys. I swore then that I would be on the track team
when I grew up. I ran in my first meet in 8th grade but I never actually competed until 10th, when Coach White of County
High talked me into running XC with his team. I've run with the eternally generous County High team ever since. And where
would I be without my parents? Not only did they give me great running genes, but they're also my official coaches and
chaffeurs to races.
AR: What is the greatest thrill from the sport that you experience regularly, and what has been the single high
point of your career?
JG: I love being at meets and talking to various, random people. I'm at my friendliest there and I delight in the
buzzing atmosphere. The highest point of my career is Jesse Owens. Before that race, I had yet to run any time worth
considering good and I enjoyed turning heads and being a surprise. I had run my first 5k XC race there and I had always
wanted to come back and do well. I can't explain how exciting it was. It was, well, indescribable.
AR: Do you remember any of your times or marks from the Presidential Fitness tests back in grade school?
JG: Yes, I ran in the sixes, usually. I think my fastest time was 6:30. My goal was to beat all the boys and I did
one year. But I was horrible with the pullups, couldn't even do one.
AR: Thank you, Joy!