Five Questions for Tyler Gleen

By Mary Albl for DyeStat

Tyler Gleen of Trumbull, Ct., a junior sprinter/mid-distance runner ran U.S. No. 2 in the 600 (1:21.93) at the North Shore Invitational at The Armory in New York. He'll be competing at the Yale Classic in New Haven (Jan. 15-16). 

Here are Five Questions for Tyler.

Question 1 -- You had a great start to the season in December running a personal record in the 600 of 1:21.93 to win the North Shore title. What was this offseason like for you leading up to track?

Tyler: “My offseason was basically training, a lot of tempos to get my stamina and endurance up, and now we're starting our fast workouts where it's more strengthening and speed. I expected a good time and it was a very great place to start at. And now, I'm just looking forward to lowering that time.”

Question 2 -- You entered this season as the top underclassmen in New England in the 600 (placed fourth at New England Championships last year). You're still kind of an unknown name. How did you get involved in track and field?

Tyler: “Actually, I was going to do baseball, play football, but then I got too many concussions and I had to start doing non-physical activities where I couldn't get hit in the head. So my friends told me about track and field, and I was pretty fast in baseball, so I was like, 'You know what? Maybe I'll go out for it. And freshman year, I went out for it, and I had a knack for it.”

Question 3 -- What's the key to running a perfect 600 meter race?

Tyler: “I think the key to it is a lot of work to it before. I think working hard, training hard, working with my team, listening to the coaches and then visualizing the race many times before hand. I think the preparation going into the race is what is going to make the race perfect, and what's going to make my time drop.”

Question 4 -- Current professional middle-distance runner Cas Loxsom still holds the Connecticut 600 indoor state record of 1:18.72. Do you have any goals of one day breaking that?

Tyler: “Breaking any record is always a good goal to have, but honestly, as of right now, I'm just looking to run, have fun and if I break any records, cool, but I just want to PR and have a great time doing so.”

Question 5 -- You said you play the baritone in the marching band as well doing track. How would you describe yourself?

Tyler: “I'm a pretty chill, enthusiast person. That's basically why I love track, because I'm surrounded by a group of guys who all want to have fun with me and it's a blast.”