Name: Ben Blankenship
Date of birth: December 15, 1988
Hometown: Stillwater, Minnesota
High School: Stillwater High School
College: University of Minnesota, 2012
Current residence: Eugene, Oregon
Primary event: 1,500m
Personal bests:
• 1,500m, 3:35.28, 2015
• Mile, 3:53.13, 2015
• 3,000m 7:38.08, 2015
• 2 Mile, 8:16.53, 2015
Career achievements:
• Mile
- 2010 Big Ten Champion
- 2013 Falmouth Mile Champion
• 3,000m
- 2011 NCAA Indoor Runner-Up
What is your most epic workout ever? This year I did a 1200-1000-800 with short rest at race pace with 5x 200 at the end.. it wasn't the workout itself that was difficult but the conditions. Pouring rain, high velocity winds, and on my own. Had to stay mentally in it to make it through.
What drives you to work so hard? I naturally have a lot of self-motivation - it is not a huge struggle for me to get out the door and accomplish workouts and runs. I think this stems from the fact that I really enjoy running - and I want to do everything I can to be better. I would deeply regret ending my running career without seeing everything through.
Why have you chosen to live and train in Eugene? Mark Rowland! Eugene is Tracktown USA so many ideas come into mind, but my number one reason for locating myself in Eugene, OR is Mark Rowland. To be the best you have to work with the best.
Who or what has been your greatest inspiration as an athlete? My collegiate coach Steve Plasencia. He has been both an mentor and a friend throughout my running career and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from him.
What is the key to your success? It can be easy to get distracted in this business but running is and should be relatively simple - listen to your body and work hard.
