XC Watchlist: Gabe Coffey (Bangor HS)


XC Watchlist: Gabe Coffey

School: Bangor

Year of Graduation: 2019

2016 State Meet Finish: DNR



Tell us how your summer training is going?
Summer training is going pretty well.

What are your goals for the upcoming season?
First and foremost, break 16. Secondly, top 5 for class A states.

How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I've been "running" since about 4th grade but one of my earliest memories of getting hooked on running was an all down hill 3k I ran at about the age of 4 with my father. I faintly remember falling down in melodramatic fashion half way through the race following what had been an all downhill mile. Great memories!

What's a typical training week like?
Throughout the summer my typical training week has been about 60-70 miles with one or two interval workouts/tempos, some general strength/technique work, strides, and stretching. My long runs are at about 15 with most easy runs somewhere around 9-10

What is your favorite workout?
Last xc season I did 600 repeats in the woods with some rolling hills. Yet, any workout in the woods with a nice breeze is fine by me.

What is your favorite course to run in Maine?
I'd have to say our home course at Bangor.

What is the toughest course to run in Maine?
Contrary to popular belief, the toughest course in Maine would have to Waterville.

Out of all your running accomplishments so far, which stands out the most?
In the course of my very short running career I'd say that my biggest accomplishment was running 4:29 in the mile, which is pretty sad. So, following a less than satisfactory soph. year, I'm looking to improve this year.


What do you love most about running?
I'd have to say that running outdoors is by far my favorite thing about running. Aside from that, I enjoy how the pain felt during a run translates into fulfillment and relaxation after the run.

When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
Read, fly fish, and hike.

Do you have any pre-race rituals or routines?
Sometimes, and I'm not sure this qualifies as pre-race ritual, I warm up to some really crappy pump up tunes, drink a bunch of coffee, and then repeat some cliche phrase throughout the race.

Favorite quote?
"With gorilla gone, will there be hope for man" Ishmael(Daniel Quinn) Also, any quote by Paul Farmer is great.

What was the last movie you saw and what did you think of it?
The last movie I remember watching was The Barkley Marathon: The Race That Eats Its Young. The movie highlighted an ultra marathon set up by an insane man in Tennessee that spans around 130 miles and takes place in the backcountry with rather vague directions. It's worth a watch.

What shoes do you race/train in?
I train in Pegasus 34s and Kinvara 8s. I race mainly in Nike Zoomy Victory XCs.

What professional athlete would you most like to meet?
Evan Jager or Eliud Kipchoge.

What is something that most people don't know about you?
I write incessantly and it's very mediocre.

Lastly, if you were stranded on an island with three things what would they be?
Some sand castle tools, chocolate milk, and a decent book.
Personal Records
  • 800m - 2:07.47
  • 1600m - 4:29.48
  • 1 Mile (in) - 4:35.47
  • 3200m - 10:06.52
  • 2 Mile (in) - 9:58.89
  • 2.x Mile (xc) - 14:43.00
  • 3 Mile (xc) - 16:29.79
  • 5K (xc) - 16:44.36