Thursday Conversation: Maksim Korolev
Chris Ammen
15:34, 15:35, 15:40, 15:26. Undefeated in the 5K this year. The state and nation’s attention are squarely on the tall, lanky senior from the small town of Harrisonville. I was there for his race at Rim Rock where he absolutely dominated the field in effortless fashion. Many have said that race made them a believer in Maksim; I would count myself in that number. I had a chance to talk with Missouri’s best high school cross-country runner this past week (or is that the young man from College Heights Christian? Let the debate continue…).
Congrats on the KC Metro win and a new course record. Walk me through the race.
Thank you! Well for starters it was pretty good weather, just a little windy on some areas of the course. We started out well (around 4:56 for the first mile) with the front pack consisting of Andrew Stevens, Kevin Colon, and me. I think we were all feeling good, so we kept pushing the pace. I don’t know what my two-mile time was, but I had the lead. I heard that from about then on was when I started gapping. The last mile was about focusing and kicking though the pain. It was definitely a fun and challenging race. I love the course and I had been looking forward to the race.
Who do you personally consider to be the top five runners in the state right now and why?
The first that come to mind are Kevin Colon and Caleb Hoover. Caleb Hoover is of course undisputable. Kevin was out for track and has been sick recently. I think he’s done great under those conditions, and once he’s back in full swing he’s going to really surprise us. Devon Young and Collin Hubert I know have a large amount of potential, which says a lot especially with how well they’ve run this year. Daniel Everett will probably be back on top soon, and I think David Everett is right there with him. Danny Thater will be great if he can stay consistent this year. Ben Chapman and Hossam Hassan have also been doing well. I’m sorry I can’t pick a top 5! Our state is just awesome for runners and I think everybody has a great chance to be up there.
You have always been one of the best in Missouri, but this year you are dominating races in a way you haven't before. What is different about this year?
My training has always been more focused on consistently improving (not only does take into account peaking at certain times during season, it also focuses on the bigger picture of peaking during college and on) and so I believe a large portion of this is just improvement training-wise. I've also changed a lot mentally; I am able to clear my mind much better. It’s allowed me to have a more optimistic and self-confident attitude than previous years. I’ve found that attitude goes a long way. Along with this, my body has probably matured a good deal, even though I still consider myself the goofy, lanky teenager I've always been. Other than that, I don't know…I guess senioritis hasn't kicked in yet.
What does a typical week of training look like for Maksim Korolev? What type of mileage are you hitting on a weekly basis?
I start out with a long run on Sunday. On Monday is an easy run, and then on Tuesday is what my coach calls a “Type A” workout, which consists of a more anaerobic based workout (it ranges from 3 minute runs of 40 seconds hard then 20 seconds easier, to 80 second runs and 5 minute runs). Type B’s are on Wednesdays with the workout being a more aerobic style, such as a tempo run. Thursday is another easy run. Friday is off, and Saturday is race day. I’ve probably been running around 50 miles per week average, but I’m slowly working it up to maybe closer to 60. It’s hard to tell a lot of times because all of my workouts are based on time and how I’m feeling, not distance.
What does recovery from workouts look like for you?
Really the only things I do to recover are my easy and long runs. They’re really nice because I do them with a heart rate monitor, which allows me to stay under my anaerobic zone so that I’m working out my aerobic capacity while recovering because no lactic acid is being produced. I’m also vegetarian - does that count for nutrition?
You said in a recent interview with MileSplit that you are looking to peak for Footlocker. Does that mean you are not tapering at all for state?
State is scheduled on one of my back-off weeks (every fourth week is a back-off week where I run about 10% less mileage and/or intensity). I’m also taking off Thursday that week and jogging the course on Friday. That’s about as much tapering as I’m doing. Footlocker is definitely my goal as it is a nationwide race and many colleges prefer results from there rather than state results.
Describe the relationship between you and your coach.
My high school coach, Coach Anderson, is laid back and pretty awesome. Coach Ramsey (coach of the Brocaw Blazers) is the one who really got me into running with heart rate monitor training (smarter training for faster running) and the workouts I do are his. He’s seen a lot of talented runners, and he believes in me and everyone else which keeps me very motivated. He’s also always there to remind me that this sport is about having fun, and whenever I get carried away from that he's there to put me back on track.
If you could race one person right now from anywhere in the country, who would it be? Do you think you could be him?
JACOB SWEARINGEN! He killed me so bad at state cross country and track; I’d like to take another shot. I don’t know if I could beat him, but it’d be a fun race!
What is your favorite pair of training shoes? Racing shoes?
I’ve been using Asics since freshman year, and I’ve had the same pair of ASICS® XC Gel Dirt-Dog™ spikes since freshman year (disclaimer: I don’t endorse these shoes nor do I guarantee the same performances time-wise that I’ve had with them).
What is your prerace ritual/routine starting with the night before?
I haven’t had any real consistencies to call anything a ritual/routine. Well, actually I usually have pasta the night before a big race. I've also neglected most weekend homework on Fridays. On race day, I especially love listening to music before the run. I also bring a pillow and try to sleep on the bus or at the course (actually the whole team usually does this, a whopping average of about 6 people including the girls. The team's great though, don't get me wrong. Our numbers are just a little small).
Describe the perfect course that would play to your strengths as a runner.
I’m a lumbering giant and my long legs hate slowing down and turning, so as few turns as possible is best. I love gradual up-hills and gradual downhills. I hate sharp up-hills, especially for the last mile of the course (I hate you Rim Rock).
You vs. Hoover - who would win?
Ah, the question everyone’s asking. Well, right now I’d say Hoover. He’s a talented individual. There’s still some time until state and Footlocker though, so we’ll see what happens.
You are a senior...any colleges you are looking at?
Well I’ve sent in transcripts to Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard and Stanford. I’m hoping to do visits later in the year to colleges, and I’ll go from there.
Thanks Maksim. Good luck the rest of the season!