Welcome to D3 Glory Days on the Citius Mag Podcast Network, on this week’s program we’re happy to welcome current Wartburg athlete, Joe Freiburger. In a year defined more by which races didn’t happen than those that did, Joe has quietly become a force in a pandemic year. Freiburger has had one of those legendary D3 progressions from a four-mile run in Air Jordan’s to aspiring national champion. We discuss his unique situation of being coach Ryan Chapman’s first recruiting class, and who really finished 263rd at Cross Country Nationals his freshman year. We also cover the process of learning how much pressure is productive, and at what point over-emphasis on a goal can be detrimental to performance. You might even hear about his unofficial track 5,000 duel with cross-country champion (and former D3GD guest Patrick Watson). His head firmly planted on his shoulders, the senior will be back for a fifth year and we suggest you pay attention.

QUOTES

On why he wanted to run in college:

“I knew I wasn’t going to go run for a scholarship. I just knew that I really liked to do it, and I didn’t want to stop.”

On the pressures they put on themselves during the 2019 XC season:

“We decided that everything we do for the next calendar year is working towards that goal of winning a national meet, and that was honestly really emotionally draining”

After the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships were canceled, they made a 5K time trial with a former guest of the show and 2019 XC champion:

“I swear the clouds opened up, and the sun came down in one spot, and Patrick Watson came across this bridge like, “What’s up guys, ready to race?”

On handling the pressuring of racing at nationals:

“I knew that I belonged there and I’d earned my spot, but I was still super overwhelmed.”

On how these performances during COVID have brought confidence:

“I really do belong at the national meets, It’s not a fluke that I qualified this year, it wasn’t a fluke that I finished 22nd”

On national meet cancellations:

“I know that being angry and pissed about it really isn’t going to get me anywhere, it’s not going to bring the national meet back so i just have to take it for what it is and move on.”

On waiting for his chance once racing returns:

“With all these meets being canceled, I know it’s an opportunity for a whole year of base training, build my fitness aerobically, get more mature, and get smarter with racing. I see it as a way to get way better at running”

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