Chuck Bisbee will be representing Colorado in the IB 2000 Meter Steeplechase in the National Junior Olympic meet in Baltimore later this month. Contributed photo.
Steeplechase is not a CHSAA-sanctioned event. So, if you're a high school runner who wants to dabble in the steeplechase, you have to do some finding of your own way over the obstacles. Fruita Monument's Chuck Bisbee is becoming something of an expert at finding his way. We stopped and talked with the Fruita Monument about his experiences with the steeplechase before he makes the big trip to Baltimore to race on the national stage.
What made you decide on the steeplechase?
The steeplechase was an event that looked challenging but fun to me. Then last summer when the opportunity to came to run a few I jumped on it. I knew that along with my base training it would give me a different type of strength that other events couldn't.
Is it a little difficult to practice the steeplechase over in the Grand Junction area? Is there even a track there where you can actually set up a steeplechase and get the feel for it? How do you prepare yourself for running the event?
Practing the steeple in Junction is actually not too big of an issue for me. We're lucky to have Colorado Mesa University in town, and their practice track is at Grand Junction High so there is easy access to a track with a water barrier. Along with that Coach Goff let me take home a couple hurdles so I really have the whole setup. When it comes to preparing myself before a race I usually try to throw in a couple speed workouts a week on top of my usual runs and try to make one of those with the hurdles and water barrier. That ensures that I have not only the speed but also the strength to use that speed at the end of the races.
Are you self-taught or are you getting instruction in the event? If you're getting help, where is that coming from?
I am lucky enough to have an assistant coach who actually knows Shalaya Kipp, and I have had great opportunities to meet and talk to her. She was able to pass on a couple great tips to me about the event that I couldn't have gotten anywhere else. I had another assistant coach who was teammates with a few steeplers at CSU and they gladly passed down a few workout ideas. That along with a couple You Tube videos is about it as far as coaching in the event has gone.
How do you transition from steeple to cross country?
The transition between the steeple and cross is actually pretty smooth. i usually just replace my speed workouts with more tempo/ fartlek work and increase my mileage.
What's the most difficult aspect of the steeplechase?
The most difficult part of the steeple is trying to really push the pace and try to make moves when it's late in the race. You're already exhausted, so you have to have a lot of confidence because its easy to find yourself crashing over a barrier or taking a swim in the water.
Do you have a favorite story to tell about steepling?
Last year at the JO Nationals I was trying to make a move into third place going over the last water barrier when my spike landed wrong on the barrier and I ended up taking a refreshing little bath with 150 meters to go. At the the end of the race, there was a lady handing out wet towels to cool people off. She looked at me, laughed, and got me a dry one. It was embarassing but I got a good laugh, too.
Do you have a time goal for Baltimore? What's your best 2000 steeple time so far?
For Baltimore my goal is to be sub 6:30 for the race and take home the title. My best time so far has been 6:41.07 in El Paso for the Region X championship. I figure with the combination of a drop in elevation, good competition, and some very good weeks of training, my goals are well within reach.
Most of us probably won't get the opportunity to watch Bisbee race at JO Nationals, but you will get the opportunity to see him this fall on the cross country course. Bisbee returns as one of the top runners on the team this fall after a 48th-place finish at state last fall. Fruita Monument just missed qualifying as a team last fall, but figures to be in a bit of a stronger position this fall, led by Bisbee and senior teammate Kyler Brown, who also ran at state last fall.