Josh McAdams, winner of multiple national steeplechase titles, accomplished a great deal that many people gave him little chance of doing. Contributed photo.
Josh McAdams has won multiple USATF national titles in the steeplechase, yet he was a walk-on in college. In fact, if you saw him on the street, you would probably never guess that he was an Olympic steeplechaser. Josh has certainly had to deal with doubters, but he has never let it get him down. Currently, Josh is working as an optometrist in Pine Top, Arizona, and mentoring a 1:53 high school junior in the 800m on the side. Recently he and his wife just welcomed their third child into the world. Despite his busy schedule, Josh took some time to chat with Colorado Track XC about how he has dealt with the naysayers and how a coach's encouragement helped him in his journey from walk-on to Olympian.
Colorado Track XC: After you transferred from Belmont to BYU you didn't have a scholarship, how did that affect you?
Josh McAdams: Out of high school some kids have to think about scholarships and the economics. That was the case with me. I spent my first year at Belmont University. [Later,] on my LDS mission I started to think more about academics and my future. That's when I decided to go to BYU. When I got there in the winter I was not sure how good of shape I was in, but I loved running. The money didn't matter at that point. I did track because I loved to run. When I turned pro, my agent Bob Wood told me, “Don't think about the money, you won't run to your full potential." There were a couple of races where I did think about the money, and I didn't do as well. I did better when I was doing it for the sake of running.
Colorado Track XC: What type of encouragement did you have when you got to BYU?
Josh: When I walked on, Coach Ed [Eyestone] pulled me aside and told me he didn't have shoes, a locker, or any money for me. He also told me that cream rises to the top, and he believed in me. He believed in me when others didn't. I wasn't in very good shape at the time. To have a coach like Ed who has been a national champion and an Olympian believe in me goes a really long way. It was hard going at first, but with his encouragement I figured I could stick it out and see what happens.
Colorado Track XC: Did you have a lot of encouragement outside of Coach Eyestone as well?
Josh: I had a couple of really good friends on the team. They really took me under their wing and we just plugged away at the workouts and long runs. Coach Ed was great for team morale and camaraderie as well. It was great to see my progression. At first I was just running with the other walk-ons and then I worked my way up to running with the more senior and faster guys on the team. There are different types of runners that are out there. Some love the social aspect. For me it's about seeing improvement, and that's enough to keep me going and get me out to the track for the workouts.
Colorado Track XC: Looking at the starting line of races, you certainly aren't built like other runners, how do you avoid the negativity of what people say about that?
Josh: I am not built like a typical distance runner, I am a little more barrel chested and have big quads. I didn't let it get me down, though. I just had to be more efficient with my form. With my gymnastics background I figure I probably have a little more coordination than most the guys out there. It's about taking what God gave you and going with it.
Colorado Track XC: What about letsrun.com or other internet forums? When people trash you, how do you take it?
Josh: I've read the forums, everyone comes to their level. Reading that stuff is just entertaining. I didn't think about it a lot. I raced knowing that I represented myself, my family, and the university. That's a reflection of who we are.
Colorado Track XC: When you were out there racing, did you mainly rely on your form then?
Josh: Yes. In the steeple I relied on speed too. I didn't do the longer stuff until after I turned pro. I don't think I ever did a 5K on the track at BYU. So I relied on speed as well as form and technique. I was a 4:00 miler and with efficient form I could access that speed at the end of the race. I liked to hold on and kick at the end of a race. In Europe it was tougher to just hang on in a race, it's a lot faster over there.
Colorado Track XC: How does a speed guy in track view cross country?
Josh: In college I didn't do base like I should have. I had a summer sales jobs which were paid on commission, so I had limited training time. I did what I could around that. When practice started in the fall I came and did the workouts. When I graduated and ran professionally, I began to appreciate it a lot more. Running professionally gave me time to focus on different aspects of my running. In fall 2006 I was able to train with Josh Rohatinsky (editor's note: Rohatinsky was the 2006 NCAA XC Champion). I learned two things from Josh: do you long runs on Saturday morning and make them count. I was able to get a big base that fall and winter, it was probably the best aerobic shape of my life.
Colorado Track XC: You won your first USATF National Championship in 2007 correct?
Josh: Yes, that base really set me up for 2007.
Colorado Track XC: Looking back, if you could give 18 year old Josh advice, what would you tell him?
Josh: That's a tough one. Since I was still in high school busy doing track and wrestling at that time, I'd say just enjoy it. Do other sports. You don't need to focus. At 18 just enjoy the social aspect. If you are in college, you have to start looking at your long-term goals. If your life is in balance, it doesn't matter what you do with running.