Nova Scotia’s MIKE TATE Ready for Steep Climb
The teenager is following in Olympian Cam Levins’s footsteps, choosing to attend Southern Utah University
To say that 2012 was a breakout year for Mike Tate would be an understatement. At 17, the native of tiny Heatherton, N.S., had national success, winning both the 1,500m and 3,000m at the Legion Nationals (Canadian youth championships). Tate also excels at cross-country, representing Canada at this year’s world junior cross-country championships in Poland. Tate decided to follow the path of Olympian Cam Levins, deciding to attend Southern Utah University in the fall.
Canadian Running: How’d you get into running and when did you know this was the sport for you? Mike Tate: In elementary school, our phys-ed teacher put on a walk-r un program two times a week after school. I joined every year along with my brother, sister and mother. I was always competitive with them, especially with my mom. I realized running was my sport when I started to run in middle school and had success at the provincial level and at the Hershey North America meet.
CR: Why do you think you have done so well in the last couple of years as a runner? MT: I just listen to my coaches. I’m extremely lucky to have such dedicated coaches who know what they’re talking about. I have also stayed injury free for my entire running career. Not having to take time off because of a strain or stress fracture has allowed me to get in all the workouts that are necessary for a successful season.
CR: You’ve had success both on the track and in cross-country. What is your favourite event and why? MT: I like both. In cross-country you have everyone. You get the middle-distance guys racing the steeplechasers racing the 10k guys. It’s awesome having everyone in one race. On the other hand, I love the atmosphere of the track, with all the different event groups. You also have the opportunity to compare times from one race to the next so you can see how you progress through the season.
CR: You’ve chosen to go to Southern Utah University. Why is the school a good fit for you? I can imagine Cam Levins’s success there was a big factor. MT: SUU is a good fit for me because I come from a small town and SUU is a small school. I think that will help with the transition from high school running to university running. I also like how Coach (Eric) Houle tries to individualize the training programs to what fits each runner best. Cam Levins’s success definitely was a factor as well. Cam is a perfect example on how Coach Houle develops his runners over the span of their time at SUU.
CR: Have you spoken to coach Eric Houle about what he expects from you next year? Will you try the Levins-type high-mileage weeks? MT: Coach Houle and I spoke a bit about what he expects from me next year. My first year will be mainly gaining experience racing in the NCAA and transitioning over to running at the university level. I don’t know if I will ever reach Cam Levins’s mileage. It’s really up to Coach Houle and what he thinks is best.
CR: What are your long-term goals and dreams in the sport? MT: I would love to represent Canada at the Olympics. It has always been a dream and goal of mine. I’m willing to do whatever is necessary to make my dream a realit y.