As the defending 6A champion in the indoor and outdoor 400m and the fastest returning 200m runner in 6A, your chances look good for pulling the Michael Johnson double at the state meet. How good do you think your chances are, and who do you expect to be your best competition?
I think my chances are good as long as my training continues and I stay focused on the goal. My main competition, at least from what I saw from indoor, is Taylor Narewski of Shades Valley. He is an excellent runner and a great competitor.
At the latest Mountain Brook meet you won the 300m dash in 35.32 seconds. It's an odd distance to race, half-way between the 200m and 400m runs. Your pace converts to 23.5 in the 200m--a respectable time-- or to 47.09 in the 400m--a fantastic time. Did you approach the 300m race more like a 400m or a 200m race, and do you think a sub-47 is likely for you this year?
I approached the race as if was a 200 with a little extra. Its a great distance to be able to race. It is an interval workout distance that we wanted to see a competitive time on. My goal for this year is a sub-47 if I get the right race and all my training falls into place.
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After placing 3rd in the 6A 55m dash indoors, your speed also looks good on the short sprints. Will you go for the 100m championship at state, too? In the 100m I am undecided. Whatever is best for the team, I will do. What about the 800m? Will you give the longer event a try? The 800 is not really my race. I ran one last year in a Jefferson County meet and ran a 2:08. Coach Dobbs wants me to run one again soon and see where my training has taken me. When you won the state 400m title indoors, your time was a full 4 seconds slower than in outdoor last year. Why does the indoor track affect 400m runners so much more than athletes in other events? It was a mental race for me the entire season. The four turns take a bit off your stride and then a very short straight away to speed up on. Plus our track has such a high bank on it you have to get just the right track on it to keep up your speed. |
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Though most pick you as the favorite in the 6A 400m, most also say Arthur Davis (who competes in 5A) is the state's fastest 400m runner regardless of classification. Do agree with that claim, or do you think you could take Davis on in a head-to-head battle?
Arthur Davis is a great athlete. He has proven that with his times. The only thing I can say is that if we met up, the best man for that day would win.
 2002 6A 400m: The Finish (Barry Farris) 1 Randy Curry 48.53 2 Delarenta Hawkins 48.55 3 Kelvin Barnes 48.56 |
Last year, you were one of three men in the 6A 400m race within 4/100 of a second of each other (48.53, 48.55, 48.56) in one of the closest finishes one will ever see in a 400m race. What do you remember about that race and how you managed to gut it out to win in a lean? Did you like being in a race that close, or do you prefer the big win? I remember coming out of turn 3 in fourth place and the only thing going through my mind was, "I can't lose this race." I like thoses races for the competition and having someone push me to faster times. |
Other than the state meet, what dates are you looking forward to as important races this spring?
Every race this season is important. This is my senior year and they are all my last ones in high school. I look forward to the Mountain Brook Invitational. There is always great competion at that meet. However, it is our homecoming weekend, and I hope we can work it all out.
What is one of your favorite workouts?
I do so many interval type workouts. We do one that is 7 x 225 @25.5-26 with a walk across the field. Then full recovery. Then we add 7-8 50m all out. However, I have started going out with the distance runners when they do a short "farlek" workout, and I like that for a change. I really didn't know what a "fartlek" was until a few months ago.
If you could go back to any point in your career and do one thing differently, what would it be?
It would be my first state meet as a sophomore. I false started in the 200m because I was so nervous. I would have also taken training more seriously when I was a sophomore.
Where are you in the process of selecting a college? Will collegiate running be a factor in your final decision?
I am in the process of selecting a college now. I plan on continuing to run all through college and even after that.
Who were the biggest influences to getting you into track, and to what or whom do you attribute any part of your success?
I attribute my whole career to God and my teammates, especially Billie Million and Matthew Dolan. To Coach Dobbs and Barry Milhorn for helping me stay focused and setting goals.
Do you remember what your better tests were in the presidential tests back in grade school? Do you remember any of your times or marks from those?
No, that was too long ago. I never liked the mile.
What is the greatest thrill from running that you experience regularly?
Running a faster time each week, whether it is a regular race or a relay. I try for that every time my team steps on the track.
What has been the single high point of your career?
Coming to Hewitt-Trussville High School and running for Coach Dobbs. He molds and trains us to do our best at all times in all things. Also winning two state championships!!!
Thanks for your time, Randy!
Sure, any time.