Broen Holman's World Record

Broen Holman from Sonora, California runs track, xc, and recently set a ne a e roup orld record in t e 5K.

YR: Lets jump right into the world record you recently set. We’ve done some stories on Aidan Puffer and followed him for a few years. I’m sure he would’ve liked to hang onto that record for a while but he was probably happy to see you move the bar up a little higher. Tell us what first got the idea in your head to go after this record?

I had always been interested in going for a world record so when I saw Aidan Puffer’s record, I knew I could get close.

Did you specifically train for it?

No, but definitely one of my main goals within the training plan.

What was on your mind the morning of the race? On my mind was, just to stay right behind the two pacers. Then see what could happen in the last mile.

Are you normally nervous when you step up to the line or do you get that out of the way before you show up?

I mainly get nervous on the line, not as much before the race.

What did you have for breakfast that morning?

The morning of the race, like normal I did not eat anything.

Any pre-race rituals? Lucky shirt?

I have my lucky shorts, and socks that I like to wear for big races. What was the race plan or strategy?

My race plan was to run 5:00 pace for the first two miles staying right behind the pacers. Then see what could happen the last mile.

Describe the course and tell us the most difficult parts.

The course was an out and back along the coast. The wind coming off the ocean was strong on the way back to the finish. Definitely right after the turn around a few hills were challenging, but mainly on the start of the last mile I could really feel the hills.

At what point in the race did you feel the record would be yours?

Around 800 to go, I was pretty sure I could break the record, as I still felt I could pick it up quite a bit.

Let’s move to the JO Nationals in Wisconsin. You had some fast competitors in that race including some YR Camper Alums Will Schneider, Drew Oliver, and Max Cervi-Skinner in the top ten. Give us the play by play of the

F

race from your perspective. About the start, when did you find yourself up front, and what was the finish like against Nathan Lopez?

When the gun went off my main focus was not to get stuck behind the huge group of athletes. I wanted to get to the front pack as soon as I could and stay out of the mess. Then once I got to the front group I just relaxed and waited for the race to start picking up. The race was fairly slow until about 1k to go.Then an athlete I had raced in track nationals this last summer, surged into the lead and tried to break the pack of 4 which I was in. Once Brennen Drapper started his long kick to the finish I followed making sure not to let the gap get too large. I knew that I could slowly catch him, and I did with around 400m to go. From here I kicked into the lead trying to gap Nathen knowing he had good speed. From there on the race had really started, a drag race between me and Nathen to the finish. I gave it all I had but

just could not get him on that day.

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How did the cold affect you? And... how did you work through it?

I was really only cold on the starting line, once the gun went off I had too much to think about, and did not focus on the cold.

Did you take any time off after nationals?

Yes after Nationals, I took a week off, and am slowly getting back into training.

What are your goals for spring track?

I would like to run a good mile under 4:20, and do well with lots of PRs in my USATF races.

Do you keep a journal? If so what parts of it do you look back on... OR what entries are the most useful for you to gauge your improvement over time.

I do not keep a journal, but I put all my runs and workouts onto my private Strava account.

How would you describe your personality?

Outgoing, ambitious, competent.

Three words that best describe you?

Athletic, funny, role model.

What motivates you to stay with your training?

I’d like to run well in high school, and hopefully run for a D1 college.

What’s it like to have your dad as your coach?

I really think of him as just my dad not as much of a coach, because running is just one of the many things he helps me with.

Advice for other middle school runners that are thinking about dropping a WR?

Don’t be afraid to set big goals that at the time seem impossible.