Nickname: JJ
Birthplace: Albuquerque, NM
Birth date: October 28, 1984
Education: BS Mathematics, completing MS Mathematics

Personal Bests:
10K - 28:33
8K Cross Country - 23:26
5K - 13:50

Running Accomplishments

• 3-time NCAA All-American
• 2007 Mountain West Conference Cross Country Champion
• MWC and school 8km cross country record holder
• 2007 USATF Championships Qualifier 10,000 meters
• Academic All-American

When did you start your competitive running career?

I started track in the spring of my junior year of high school, but I was still playing soccer at the time.  I first ran cross country my senior year of high school.

By all accounts your High School career was good, how do explain your meteoric rise at the college and post college level?

Yea, I ran 4:17 for the mile indoors, 9:12 for 2-miles, was a state champ, and won state cross country as a team with Manzano while I was in high school.  But, the college and post-college levels are different beasts. Part of my development was just spending some time in the sport.  My first race in high school, I asked another competitor which of the lines we were suppose to start at.  He didn’t think I was serious, so I had to ask him again.  Since that time, I have put in many hours of tough work, but I have also learned more about how to train properly (train hard, but take some easy recovery days; core and general  strength work).  I have also been lucky with the people I have been around, including my family, friends, teammates, and especially my coaches.  And, it is easy to put in the miles in Albuquerque with all the sunshine and great places to run.

You have finished your college career, what are your current goals?

My coach and I believe that I need to stay injury free, and if I do so, the times will come (like sub 28:00 in the 10k and 13:30 in the 5k this year).  Everything has been going really well this year.  It would also be nice to make some USA teams.  Oh, and I have a goal to always be faster than my younger brother (who currently runs for Stanford); just kidding (well, sort of).  Let’s just say I hope he runs really fast.

Who is Jeremy Johnson outside of running and what are your professional ambitions?

I am finishing up my masters in mathematics.  So a lot of my time is used towards studying.  I like to play with my high-energetic dog, nieces, and nephew.  My sister-in-law just had her 4th, a baby girl!  I also enjoy doing things outdoors, like fishing and snowboarding. My professional ambitions may include obtaining a Ph.D. or becoming a medical doctor.  But for the moment, I am happy doing what I am; and I am enjoying the journey.

On February 7, you placed 12th at the 2009 USA Cross Country Championships at Derwood, Maryland, this is enormous effort, tell us about this?

Thanks.  I was really happy to run cross country again, especially with this being my first year out of NCAA cross country.  It is also nice to be just racing after a long fall of training; and what could be better than lining up a bunch of great runners on a hilly, muddy, 12k course and letting them have-at-it.  And, Derwood is quite beautiful. The race was a little bit bitter-sweet though.  I was sick with the stomach flu for most of the week and was still not feeling at my best on race day; so there is the “what if I wasn’t sick” question lingering about.  But, the race still went well and am waiting to see if I will be selected to my first US national team, so all is good.