The mark seems almost unattainable, but that doesn't stop most milers who reach a certain level of success from striving for it: the four minute mile. The thing is most athletes don't speak it out loud, at least not to the press. Joe Franklin is not one of those athletes. The University of Tennessee signee is confident yet humble, but not shy about sharing his goals.
Most initially wrote his quest off as impossible. Anyone who knows the sport knows the four minute mile must be revered and that our four Amreicans in history have ever attained it as a high schooler. And yet after his big negative split 1:48.97 a few weeks ago, followed by a huge positive split on a 1:50.41, Joe started to get some believers on the national scene.
Suddenly Golden South was not just another race for him, but it was a very public quest to try to achieve a state record or even better: that four minute mile. There was a hoop-de-doo about whether the meet management would get a rabbit (or even allow one) and pressure to extend the 1600 race to a full mile (which they did). Quietly the meet management even tried to recruit German Fernandez to fly in to compete. As a last minute alternative when no rabbit or competition could be found, a clock was brought in to be placed at the 200 mark to help pace.
Going into the 2008 Golden South Classic, all eyes were on squarely on Joe. Suddenly the hype surrounding his quest for four minutes seemed to over-shadow the great field of international competition lined up to compete. The national spotlight was on the boys mile.
If he had the perfect race, one where he hit that just-right pace and ran more evenly, some felt like he might just have a shot. He certainly has the speed and has decent endurance as was shown by his 9:15 3200 and state championship in cross country. Perhaps if the stars all aligned just right with the weather, competition, and Joe finally hit those fast but even splits magic could happen.
But this was certainly not the perfect race nor conditions. There was literally no competition with even an outside shot of pushing him. Joe and his coach, father Joe Sr., readily admit that Joe is not yet good at pacing himself or leading a race. He would much rather sit and kick. Running alone his pace and concentration tend to drift. As a surrogate for a rabbit, a clock was set up at 200 meters, with the hope that it could serve as enough of a metronome to keep Joe in his stride.
It started out okay. He came through the first lap with some company at 60 seconds, exactly where he needed to be. At 600 he was still on perfect pace at 1:30, but then he found himself solo and the pace started to slack. He came through the half way point in 2:02.9 and 1000 at 2:34. With a 3:06.7 at the bell lap, it was clear there was not going to be any record-breaking attempt. Looking quite defeated and lacking any pep he turned on the auto-pilot to end with a 65-second final lap. His official time in the end was 4:13.60 (1600) and 4:15.29 (Mile). Second place Trevor Strachan of the Bahamas was over 20 seconds behind.
Discouraged and dejected, Joe understandably ducked most questions after the race. His one response was simply of his disappointment and that he knew pretty early on in the race that he was not going to be able to run that kind of solo pace.
Some may say that the pressure got to him. Many will say that it was another case of pre-race hype growing expectations far beyond reality. Or some might suggest that Joe should stick to the 800 meters. But hopefully after a little reflection on his final high school mile race, Joe will look back on all he has accomplished and smile. Even without that final high school PR in the mile, he has had an incredible career.
Joe does have one more race left before his high school days are through, and this one he will not run alone. In two weeks he will be competing at the Nike Outdoor Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina. Joe will be defending his US #1 time in the 800 meters. Will he be able to close the season with a big one or possibly a state or national record? Who knows, but this time let's back off a just a bit on the expectations and hype!
Joe: Stop reading the forums for two weeks! Just run your race! We'll see you in Greensboro and good luck!
