Tyree Washington (USA) (© Kirby Lee)
Moreno Valley, USATyree Washington was on top of the world in 2001. A year later, the American quarter miler hit rock bottom. After running the fastest time in the world in the 400m at 44.28 in 2001, Washington stopped training troubled by flare-ups of a lifelong asthmatic condition and a hamstring injury.
Washington, 26, who ran on the United States’ world-record setting 4 x 400m relay team in the 1998 Goodwill Games, lost his shoe contract and contemplated retirement after his injury.
During that tumultuous period, Washington was also required to testify in the murder trial of his sister and her boyfriend. They were convicted of first-degree murder for the death of Washington’s niece and sentenced to 25 years to life.
“It was like there was a dark cloud over my head,” Washington said. “There were numerous things and it was bad timing. I thought maybe this isn’t for me. I don’t need to run.”
After a year and a half layoff, Washington is making a comeback on the indoor circuit. He won the 400m at the USA Track & Field Indoor National championships in Boston (1-2 March) to earn a berth in the IAAF World Championships in Birmingham next weekend.
Washington had no qualifying mark for the national championships and had to petition the USATF for an exemption to compete. Washington, had never raced on an 200m indoor track prior to the U.S. championships.
“I feel relieved,” Washington said. “I am not really an indoor runner and it worked out very well. What was most important was to get my name out there again and show people that I am ready to run. I knew I wanted to go and make this team by any means.”
Washington’s performance landed him a sponsorship contract. A shoe deal was among his primary objectives for running at the U.S. championships instead of training exclusively for the outdoor season. He had been competing in a borrowed speed suit and spikes.
Finances weren’t a concern when Washington arose to prominence in 1997 at San Bernardino Valley Junior College, with his trademark shaved head and headband. Washington set an American junior college record that season and went on to finish third in the 1997 World Championships, turning in a yearly best of 44.39. He also ran on the U.S. gold-medal winning 4 x 400m relay in Athens.
Washington troubles began in 2000 when he failed to advance out of the first round of the U.S. Olympic Trials because of asthma.
In 2001, Washington ran 44.28 during an early-season all-comers meet that ended up as the yearly global leader by nearly two tenths of a second over Bahamian World Champion Avard Moncur’s season best of 44.45.
However, Washington pulled a hamstring during workouts prior to the USATF championships, and was eliminated in the second round and did not qualify for the U.S. team for the World Championships.
Supporting his wife and 6-year-old son was the priority during his hiatus from track. He returned to school and worked as a group counsellor at a treatment facility. Washington, who would like to be a trainer at college some day, also coached a season of track at his former high school.
“He felt a lot of stress and in pressure and felt that maybe not running would be the answer,” Washington’s wife Chara said. “There were times when he wanted to give up and `I am just going to quit.’ And there were times when he would watch track meets. It was hard seeing it and you’re not there. It’s like watching somebody getting dressed for the prom and you can’t afford to go.”
Washington couldn’t bear to watch the 2001 World Championships nor the 2002 Golden League circuit but kept track of the results via Internet. Watching the times in the 400m stagnate and encouragement from his wife and pastor fuelled Washington’s desire to return to track.
“When I saw the times that were run in the world, it made me furious,” Washington said. “It was a slap in the face. It lit the flame to get back and cranking again.”
Washington resumed jogging last July and reunited with his longtime coach Jim Bush, who has worked with 1992 Olympic champion Quincy Watts and 440-yard world record holder John Smith.
Bush said Washington has been able to handle workouts that neither Watts nor Smith could approach, and could challenge the world record and run in the low 43s if he retains his focus. “It just makes me so mad because he should be ruling the World,” Bush said. “He has so much potential but has never done anything with it.”
Washington ran only three races before competing in the USATF Indoor Nationals. He ran a solo 45.3 in the 400m for in an outdoor all-comers meet in January in his first race back. Washington also produced a 48.80on the tightly curved oval in the Millrose Games in New York on 7 Feb. and coasted to an unchallenged 57.32 effort for 500 yards on a 160-yard wood track in the Los Angeles Invitational on 15 Feb.
In the USATF Indoor Championships, Washington won his heat in 46.27 and clocked 46.43 in the final. “There are a lot of critics but winning put the hammer on the nail to prove that I can run,” Washington said.
Washington has taken inspiration from retired World record holder Michael Johnson’s approach to the 400m. Washington is impressed by Johnson’s attention to detailed analysis of every phase of the race. “He became a student of the game of track and field and mastered the 400m,”Washington said. “In my six years at this level and getting to this point, I’ve barely learned.”
Washington concedes his inaugural World Indoor competition will be a learning experience. He anticipates a challenge from Great Britain’s Daniel Caines, the World leader, and Jamie Baulch, along with Daniel Batman of Australia and Davian Clarke of Jamaica.
“It’s going to be like going to a straight out war,” Washington said. “It will be like a reunion after being out for two years. I need to be aggressive and strong but I need to be very smart and can’t go out too fast. Going through the challenges has helped me work on my character and appreciate the sport.”
Kirby Lee for the IAAF
