Jan. 8, 2010

FAIRFAX, Va. - After a successful 2009 cross country season that saw him finish with All-East honors, Michael Pachella is focused on performing at a high level during the upcoming indoor and outdoor track and field seasons. GoMason.com recently caught up with the Ogdensburg, N.J. native as he prepared for the upcoming Father Diamond Invitational meet.

GoMason.com: What are your goals for the upcoming indoor and outdoor track and field seasons?
Pachella: My main focus this year is to make the finals of the NCAA Championships and to become an All-American. I've spent the last couple years with this in my sights and I'm in the best shape I have ever been in. My teammates and I have been very concentrated within the past few months on putting together some of the best relays that Mason has ever seen and we're really focused on getting an NCAA indoor distance medley qualifier and bringing home some Penn Relay wheels during the spring. Lastly, we have a goal as a team to win a CAA Championship in the spring as well.

GoMason.com: How tough was it for you to sit out the outdoor season last year while redshirting?
Pachella: Last outdoor season was an eye opener for me. During this time, I realized some of what it takes to be a post-collegiate runner. The training became so much more about me individually and it was difficult to find meaning in the workouts and races when I didn't have a Mason jersey on or my team behind me. Although it was a rough time, I gained a lot from it. I came out of the season much stronger and fired up to be back on the track with my team. I started to realize a ton about my training, and myself. It strengthened the true meaning behind my motivation in running and what running really means to me.

GoMason.com: You compete in all three seasons - cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. How important is it to pace yourself throughout such a long and grueling schedule?
Pachella: Collegiate running can be quite consuming; sometimes it feels like it's just never ending. You go through all three seasons, and then before you know it you're starting the cycle over; putting in miles over the summer preparing for cross country once again. It's really easy to get ahead of yourself and begin focusing on the next season before you have even ended the one you're in. For me, I try to take it day-by -day. I keep all my focus on whatever I'm doing at that point in time. I keep my goals in the back of my mind, and just take it one workout at a time, one set at a time, and one rep at a time.

GoMason.com: You've run in a number of events during your time at George Mason, including the 800 meters, 1000 meters and so on. What is your favorite event and why?
Pachella: Throughout my time here at Mason I've been given the opportunity to compete at several different distances, including this past cross country season when I ran in my first 10k, but the distance that will always be my favorite is the 800 meters. There's just something about it that makes it special for me. When I step to the line of an 800 race I'm so confident, so focused; I know how every stride is going to feel, and know exactly what moves I'm going to make. I've ran so many 800's throughout my career of track that it's now become second nature for me and I believe that's the reason why I've excelled more at that distance than any other.

GoMason.com: As you reflect on your track and field career at George Mason, what accomplishment stands out the most to you?
Pachella: My biggest accomplishment thus far at Mason has to be my 800-meter CAA Championship win during my sophomore year. It was something that took me a whole year of focus to accomplish. Freshman year, 2007, I was outkicked in the last four meters of the CAA Championship race, and on my cool down I promised myself that I would come back next year and win it no matter what. I came back the following year and did just that.

GoMason.com: How has the team progressed during your time at George Mason, from a freshman until now?
Pachella: It's unbelievable how the team has evolved since my freshman year. I remember coming to Mason on my recruiting visit and thinking to myself, "Wow, my high school team has more members than the Mason team does." But I believed in Coach Gerard and his philosophy of building from the ground up. He has done an outstanding job the last couple years at building the foundation for a national caliber track and field team that will be very successful for many years to come. Every year, the freshmen are coming in stronger and faster; it's getting harder and harder to make the top squad, and more difficult to get on the relay teams. The progression of times that my teammates are running are remarkable and they just keep getting better.

GoMason.com: When you're not in class or on the track, what do you like to do with your free time?
Pachella: Well, running is the type of sport that matters just as much what you do off the track as what you do on the track. To be the best, it's a full-time commitment. So my time away from class or on the track is spent on getting my body and mind ready for my next training session or race. But at times when I do get to relax a bit you could find me lounging around playing my guitar, watching the TV or reading.

GoMason.com: What are your aspirations after you graduate from George Mason University?
Pachella: Following graduation, I plan on continuing my training post-collegiately. As many athletes do, I have my sights on qualifying for the U.S. Olympic trials and making the team. It's been my dream ever since the beginning to be able to represent our country. I also want to begin coaching middle distance and distance runners, possibly on the collegiate level, and attend graduate school eventually. I've always had thoughts about law school and studying sports law to become a sports agent, but that is something I might pursue later down the road.