Juan Olmos will be a part of the 2020 graduating class of seniors and will be joining an incredible program out in Houston. He has committed to UH and will be running next year as a freshman under Steve Magness. Olmos boasts an incredible pedigree of accomplishments which include 3 trips to State. Out of those 3 trips to State, Olmos helped lead his team to two back to back 5A State Championships. He was also part of El Paso history when he helped his team make two NxN appearances along with one NxR first place team finish.
Notable Performances Include:
4:29.26 - 1600M at the Fred Loya Invitational 2020
9:41.39 - 3200M at the Fred Loya Invitational 2020
14:51.90 - Three Mile Run, 49th Place finish at the Woodbridge Cross Country Class 2019
15:01.41 - 5000 M Run, 5th place finish at the 2019 UIL State Cross Country Championship 2019
TxMileSplit - Steve Magness has a huge voice within the running community. He has a successful blog and has also published a few books that cover many interesting points about running from physiology to psychology in the running world. In the fall you'll be running under him at Houston University. Have you had a chance to talk to him and what about this style of coaching/program excites you the most?
Juan Olmos - Yea, I talk to Magness all the time, I never hesitate to text him or give him a call. It may seem a little invasive but I kind of don't care; he's my coach now and I intend to treat him no different than I did Coach McLain, my high school coach. And about the program, I guess I'd have to say I'm looking forward to his resting policy and leniency with the workouts. Based on what Gabe told me, it's really different from what we've both experienced at Eastwood and I think that aspect of the program is what I'm looking forward to the most, the difference, whatever it be. I'm excited to experience the different work ethic and overall program that Magness offers. I've been with the same coach for four years and I completely bought into his program but now that that's over I'm ready to move on and get some new training under my belt and improve.
TxMileSplit - You'll be in good company at UH as some of El Paso's former runners are also out there in the running circuit, specifically your former teammate Gabe Armijo. Is he someone you went to for advice when deciding on UH and what specifically did he do to help push you in what you feel was the right decision to run there?
Juan Olmos - Yes of course, I've spoken to Gabe every step of the way. I started talking to Gabe about Magness and other possible colleges about 2 years in advance of my senior year and it's been a tremendous help. As for advice he gave me none besides "don't screw it up" and "run faster" which helped a ton because I've never thought about that, running faster, wow! Gabe isn't all bad, He's let me in on the program and what it entails, the coaching style of the infamous Steve Magness, the teammates and how weird they can be, and just the overall feel of being in Houston. He made sure to tell me the good and the bad about being up there and I think that's when I knew I'd like to attend UH. The fact that I was told the good and the bad rather than just how great it can be let me know what I would be signing up for and if I could actually handle it. So the honesty is what sealed the deal.
TxMileSplit - Let's backtrack a bit and talk about some of your days there at Eastwood. Describe what the culture is like and why you think that'll help you and your new team at a collegiate level.
Juan Olmos - If I described Eastwood in one word, it would be professional. The coaches, especially McLain, would make a few unfunny, creepy jokes but for the most part they took their job seriously and they did everything they could to help their runners to improve; they've spend long days and restless nights working on courses, paces, workouts, meets, etc, all just for a few Mexican kids who were never thought of to do anything special. Along with the coaches creating an encouraging environment, the athletes played a huge role in the welcoming culture. Most of the athletes kept that professional mentality, doing what had to be done to win and be better than the person next to them, but they never lost the run and youthful nature that makes running run. The runners, especially the boy's teams, knew when to joke around and when to get serious. The culture was as rare as it gets and that unique, overwhelming dedication to success is what drives the Eastwood Cross Country Team. I believe that the mindset instilled in me from my years at Eastwood will help my new team and I because it'll allow us to get along better and keep a professional mindset when times get tough.
TxMileSplit - You have an impressive pedigree throughout your high school running career. 2 back to back 5A State Titles, 2 back to back NxN appearances. Out of all that, what really stood out to you the most as the most memorable moment and why?
Juan Olmos - Getting wrecked. The times I remember most were when I got completely demolished. All the winnings didn't really mean much to me, I don't know why, I just don't care about that stuff anymore, that's in the past and running isn't my life, I'm not going to dwell on it and live in the past, I got other things to focus on, like did you know I know how to play the piano? I didn't think so. I'm more than just my quick little chicken legs. Anyway, I think my most memorable moment was my sophomore year at State because that was my first time running a tough race with real competition and I got absolutely destroyed by them. The reason why I remember this most was because this was the race I learned the most from, I was made a fool and that was one of the worst feelings ever. From that moment on, I told myself if people want to beat me they're going to have to hurt like hell because I am not going to be tossed around anymore, I am going to make them run for their money and if you need a reference ask the boys from Grape Vine. I don't flash around all my accomplishments because they don't teach me or motivate me as much as when I lose miserably. I've never worn and most likely never will wear my state rings because that's old already and I think it's kind of whack if people wear them for more than the day they earned them.
TxMileSplit - Your coaches talked about how dedicated and disciplined you guys were despite the absence of competition. Did you find it difficult to stay motivated during all of this downtime due to the global pandemic and how were you guys able to stay focused?
Juan Olmos - Totally, it was difficult but that wasn't my first obstacle. I've had times before when I was tempted to stop running because it was really hard on me, physically and emotionally, but I always reminded myself if I wanted to get out of this hell hole this is what I have to do, this is a gift and I need to make the most out of it to benefit myself. It's always been more than just running in my free time, I couldn't care less about the actual running, and I'm still running for other reasons in my life. Was it difficult sticking with running- yes, was it new- no. So I think my past experiences, running related or not, are what drove me to keep with running so I can use it to get to where I want to be in life, as a person.
TxMileSplit - You've often be described as a wild and silly character on the team by Coach Mike McLain, but he also spoke very highly of your ability to be a great leader on the team. What's one thing that he and Coach Salazar did that you'll take with you forever as you navigate further into your running career?
Juan Olmos - As simple as it sounds, I'll never forget when Coach McLain bought me a pair of running shoes. I don't come from a wealthy family and sometimes we don't have enough money to spend on seemingly optional things, like shoes, but I never told McLain this. For a year or two I would use the same pair of shoes all year for both track and cross country, even the summer. That doesn't sound like a big deal, but for most runners, especially runners who do as much as we do, which was 365 days a year with an average of 60 miles a week, that's a lot of mileage to be throwing in one pair of shoes. Technically every 300 miles you should get a new pair but I didn't have that privilege, so I toughened up and just ran. It took Coach a while to realize what I was doing but he noticed when I started getting hurt a lot. He asked me to get new shoes and I told him yea of course but never did. After a while he just asked me what my shoe size was and by the next week I had a brand new pair of Hokas. Coach McLain takes really good care of his athletes and that was just a small sample of his kindness. I'll never forget the feeling of receiving the shoes and hearing him say "if you need anything, I'm here". I told him I'll pay him back and then he replied "no, just work hard". What a guy, I have never known a more genuine kindhearted person who does the right things for the right reasons. McLain is someone I hold dear to me to say the least.
TxMileSplit - Lastly, it's always great to see athletes such as yourself represent the sport and your city well. What advice would you give to any future runner who wants to achieve what you and your team have over the past few years?
Juan Olmos - As for the advice: who cares what my team and I did, don't pay any attention to that, yea it's okay to look to us for some motivation or direction but for the most part we don't matter. What we did, what we accomplished, it's all old and irrelevant. If you want to be great, do the small things and do them right. Know why you're putting in all that work and never forget that. Have your own goals, different from ours, and don't try to belike someone, try tobe someone; be yourself and accomplish something great so that you're remembered for you and not for attempting to fill in others' shoes. Keep a leveled head and then go seek and destroy. Go step by step and trust the process. If you want to be as successful as other runners you've seen, then work like you're one of them. Don't wait, don't put it off, if you want to be known then you have to make yourself known because no one's going to be giving handouts. In reality no one cares that you run so don't wait for anyone. If you want something then go get it. The more you do the less you wait, so: 1. Get your priorities in check 2. Start and maintain an incredible work ethic (that out works and outsmarts everyone around you) 3. Have confidence but be humble 4. Take every opportunity head on and never back down and 5. Don't make running your life.