“Data” – J. Sorensen. D-II National Champion 1500. M = Mature. Former M40 Masters World Record Holder in 1500 and 800.

Dr. Scott McNeal (Dr. M) talks with Mr. Jim “Data” Sorensen. Husband, stepfather, educator, coach, and a man of faith with the proclivity towards perseverance.

Jim takes his strong and focus work ethic on a multi-year running journey winning 1 x D-II national championship (1500), qualifying for several US Olympic trials, and setting 2 x M40 (masters) world records in both the outdoor (1500) and (800). He currently holds the American M40 800 outdoor record. In short, Data is fast.

Jim resides in AZ with his family where, as they say, the weather is good.

Join Jim as he reflects on (1) his early sport years, (2) his collegiate challenges (3) his gift for “wanting it so bad” (4) his frustrating near misses (5) his two masters track records and finally on (6) his God who helps frame it all and leads him to the finish line.

Quips and Advice: 

“Sometimes you got to hold yourself back.”

“I think I cried a little.”

“Can’t grit your teeth in all your workouts.”

“The #1 way to recover is sleep!”

“Ultimate goal / Good goal / OK goal.”

“OK to lower your goal to decrease pressure.”

“Motivation comes first and propels everything else.”

“Make your running enjoyable.”

“Run with people you like.”

“You need a coach.”

Guest Info & Contact:

World Athletics: https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/jim-sorensen-14251861

Email: jimsore34@yahoo.com

Audio: NBC Sports

If you read this far, kudos to you. You get an extra inside perspective on Jim's thinking. He writes:

"Back in the 90s, the saying was Americans don't want it bad enough. They don't work hard enough… etc.... I felt that was untrue for myself and those I competed against. Looking back, I know I pushed hard in a lot of hard day/workout days. I gritted my teeth, so to speak. I wanted to get better and improve. Working hard equals results, correct? Well, there's a balance. I think it's good to grit your teeth on your interval/hard days. But some of those sessions should be more about pace work and putting in a volume at a certain pace without having to dig down deplete yourself .

Looking back, I probably would have reduced the number of days where I really dug down deep and worked hard in interval sessions, and made them more about getting a specific volume of pace work. Still kind of a of a hard day, but going to the bottom of the well."

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