*Cover Photo:  Jenny Barringer-Simpson with MileSplit's Todd Grasley

2011 World Champion Jenny Simpson announced via conference call this afternoon she will kick start 2012 with appearances in Boston and New York City. The 1500 meter champion is scheduled to showcase her skills on the indoor circuit at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston on February 4th. Simpson says she will run the 3K in Boston.

"It's an event I think my mind, body and focus are suited for. It's a distance I've done well it in the past, but a distance I don't get to run very often.  The 3000 is a distance I'm very excited to run for my opener in Boston."

Next up on Simpson's schedule events will be a stop at the Armory in New York City for the NYRR Wanamaker Metric Mile which is part of the Millrose Games on February 11th. This marks a change in venue for the event which previously was held at Madison Square Garden. She doesn't see the move taking the mystique away from the event, but instead providing the same excitement as in years past.

"I never competed at the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden, but I think it's a real exciting move. The Armory is a fast 200 meter track with a history of producing great times. I think it will attract great talent."

The main goal for Simpson is the Olympic Trials and ultimately the Olympic Games in London.  The only thing she hopes to change in her training from the World Championships in Daegu is the interruptions.

"There may be a temptation to train like how you perceive a world champion to train, but I will continue to train like Jenny Simpson has trained for the past 4-5 years. I totally trust in the plan that we have and that we will be successful in the future. I have an enormous amount of work to do. I’m focusing on myself and my own fitness. You can never count anyone out. I plan to race to the best of my ability. You always have to give yourself a chance."

On training:

The season wrapped last year with a lot of exciting stuff – really fun reflecting over the past season and is a good motivation to the start. The last few months have been really typical distance running – foundation-based. Looking forward to Boston/New York – first real opportunity to peak.

On racing at the Armory:

What’s fun about races at the Armory – outside of the championship – is you get to test your abilities to run a fast time. The Armory has a great atmosphere. Racing indoors is special – everyone is so close and the race is more amped. That helps generate fast times.  

On racing the first-ever Wanamaker Metric Mile for Women at the Millrose Games:

It’s an honor and exciting to be a part of something that might have a legacy. The mile has an incredible past and certainly the potential to have a really wonderful future.

On being a favorite for the Olympics:

Certainly not a favorite. I have an enormous amount of work to do. I’m focusing on myself and my own fitness. You can never count anyone out. I plan to race to the best of my ability. You always have to give yourself a chance.

On the U.S. women being competitive at Trials:

That’s the most exciting thing about being a middle distance runner – the field will be really deep. There are 5 or 6 or 7 women that have the potential to make the team.

On competing in the steeplechase again:

I haven’t definitively abandoned the steeple. With the incredible depth of the 1500, I can’t help but want to be a part of the movement of middle distance. I haven’t abandoned it for sure – there are things I have yet to do in it. As of now though, my focus is on the 1500 meters.

On changes in training from Daegu:

The only thing I hope to change is fewer interruptions – not catch the flu and minimize my risk of injury. Training is proceeding as normal. There may be a temptation to train like how you perceive a world champion to train, but I will continue to train like Jenny Simpson has trained for the past 4-5 years. I totally trust in the plan that we have will be successful in the future.

On learning from Daegu:

I think as an athlete you have to continue to learn with every situation you are presented. With limited experience in the 1500, I not only had to get through rounds, but learn through them. I can see in myself ways that I improved each time.

On the Millrose Games moving from MSG to the Armory:

I never competed at Millrose at MSG. I think it’s a really exciting move. Fast 200 meter track, history of producing great times, gentile track. I think it will attract greater talent. I don’t think it will take away from the mystique of The Garden. Fast times, quality track.

More Coverage

• Jenny Barringer Simpson Career in Photos (Article)

  

  Mike Leary, a longtime Florida photographer (and father of stellar Florida high school runner Ryder Leary), sent us some of his favorite photos he shot during the high school and college career of local celebrity Jenny Barringer Simpson. - 2011-12-02 00:55:00

• Jenny Barringer Simpson Homecoming Interview (Article)

  

  Oviedo High School alumn and 2011 World Champion at 1500 meters, Jenny Barringer Simpson made her first trip home to Orlando since going pro two years ago. She answered questions, signed autographs, and greeted a full house of fans and old friends at a New Balance sponsored event on Saturday at Track Shack of Orlando. - 2011-11-14 18:09:00

• Jenny's Athlete Profile