Johnson is coming off a 2003 outdoor campaign which saw him take second overall in the 800 meters at the NCAA Division I Championships with his time of 1:46.51. A key member of the 4x400 meter relay as well, Johnson helped lead the Red Raiders to a sixth place finish at the national meet with their time of 3:04.76. Johnson also earned a third place finish in a time of 1:46.76 at the 2003 U.S. Outdoor Championships.

Johnson enters the 2004 Big 12 Championships as the two-time defending champion in the 800 meters. With his national leading time of 1:46.32 set at the Mt. SAC Relays this season, Johnson is well on his way as one of the favorites once again for the NCAA 800 meter title.

Below is the Chat Wrap session transcript from Jonathan Johnson:




Johnson holds the top time in the 800 meters (Kirby Lee/The Sporting Image)
Jonathan Johnson of Texas Tech appeared live in the Trackshark Chat Wrap on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 from 10pm - 11pm EST.
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Kevin from Arizona - What is the most important thing in life to you?

Jonathan Johnson - For me I would say my family. They been behind me since I was young and we been through a lot together, and the people around me who has stuck beside me and wants me to be successful. I can't forget the kids that need role models and they are a big inspiration in my life. I want to see and help younger kids make it and be successful.

Terry from Massachusetts - Have you ever considered competing in the 400 meters only?

Jonathan Johnson - Sometimes it crosses my mind because I believe I could be a good 400 meter runner. However, as time passes by, my love and passion for the 800 meter run is growing, but it is fun to talk about sometimes. Although I do not think I could ever leave the 800 meter?.

Jesse from Texas - What is your favorite workout?

Jonathan Johnson - I really do not like doing strength workouts such as a 1200, 1000 or even a 800 meters in a workout. Though I do feed off of stuff such as repeat 300 or 400 meters.

Greg from Cincinnati - How do you suggest a mid-distance runner work to increase his foot speed?

Jonathan Johnson - I believe first off that you might want to try some faster runs, like 200 and 300 meters along with other speed work during your workouts. That works for me pretty much.

Josh from Ohio - With the Big XII Championships this weekend, who do you feel is your major competition, Milkevics of Nebraska? What's your estimate on the winning time? Best of luck this weekend.

Jonathan Johnson - I was always told to not take competition light, because anybody can be beat on any given day. Therefore, when I go into a race I never think I'm going to just win, but I do know that I'm going to compete until the finish line. I would say my competition will be the ones who make the finals.

Chad from Texas - What is the best piece of advice you ever received and how do you apply it to your running?

Jonathan Johnson - There was a time I was going through adversity and I wanted to give up, but my mom told me if I gave up, I would have let everything I worked for go to waste and been defeated by the odds. So now if I lose such as I did at nationals, I get back up and keep pushing, because I feel that I can overcome the odds.

Chris from Florida - What are some things you do the day before a meet?

Jonathan Johnson - "I just sleep", Just joking. Seriously though I hang out with the teammates, joke around watch ESPN and other sports. Lately I've been reading "Slaying the Dragon" by Michael Johnson over and over. There is some real good stuff in there -- that ge's me motivated.

Pam from North Carolina - How does it feel to have success at your fingertips and being so young?

Jonathan Johnson - The success I have had so far feels real good, but I fill like I have so much more work to do. Truthfully I don't think I could ever be completely satisfied with what I do, because I always want to get better. I have worked hard to get where I'm at so I do enjoy the success.

Alan from Texas - Texas Tech seems to have some added depth for the 4x400 relay, with some promising 400 hurdlers on the squad. Do you expect this will help you and the other 4x400 guys to stay fresher in the big meets as some other people may be able to run in the heats of the 4x400?

Jonathan Johnson - It really has helped me so far this year having extra people step on the relay. Because it keeps me fresher and I know I can just focus on the 800 before the relay.

Frank from Ann Arbor - Who do you look up to as a source of inspiration to run at the level you do?

Jonathan Johnson - I would have to say I look up to my mom, she has stuck with me through the good times and bad times, she knows a little something about adversity. So she is the one who inspires me to never give up on life and to push through struggles, when they are there.

Dell from Detroit - Do you feel that you don't get the proper respect at times when it comes to rankings and raves as far as 800 meter runners are concerned?

Jonathan Johnson - That's a good question. I feel sometimes I do not get the respect I should, but guess what, nothing is free in life. Everyone has to earn it and when you do earn it, I feel you will learn to respect it more.

Mike from Ann Arbor - Is there anything you liste? to before your races to get pumped up?

Jonathan Johnson - I first listen to slow music the night before I race and the morning of the race. After that I mix up some heavy rap music to get my blood flowing and my mind set to do what I have to do.

Ray from Washington DC - Have you down sided your schedule to make sure you have something left in the tank for USA Champs?

Jonathan Johnson - I didn't run to much indoor as I kind of backed off and I haven't ran many 800 meters outdoors, so I believe I will be well rested and ready when the USA Champs come around.

Lakadron from New York - What are some of your expectations and goals for this summer?

Jonathan Johnson - I feel like I steel have a lot of work to do. First off, I want to win a national title, since I haven't yet. After the NCAA Championships maybe I will find somewhere to run in between then and the Olympic trials. As far as a time, I want to run 1:44 or better.

Dexter Golding from Texas - What motivates you to being the best?

Jonathan Johnson - I just love the competition,and my family and fans keep me going. It's like when I see someone at a meet and they say how they been keeping up with me. It motivates me to keep going and never give up.

Jake Krong from New York - I know as a student-athlete there is not much time to do anything other than run, sleep and study. Do you find time to balance all of these and still have time for a vibrant social life?

Jonathan Johnson - Yes, I do find time to have a social life. It might not be as wild as some people, but as long as I have my teammates and friends from home, it is all right.