Talon Talk Ep. 17: "Twitter and Training" -- Anderson Bobo

Fresh of becoming UNF's latest ASUN Winners for Life honoree as announced by the league office Jan. 14, this week's Talon Talk feature brings in men's track and field and cross country's Anderson Bobo.

The Orlando, Fla., native bounced back from an ankle injury suffered as a junior before coming back to form and setting an 8K personal record (25:33.53) in the ASUN Men's Cross Country Championships. Just two weeks later he set another personal record with his best time in the 10K at the NCAA South Region Cross Country Championships.

For Bobo, grit is the fuel behind his mentality and a lot of his success, especially after coming back after displacing a bone in his ankle following a freak accident during a training session.

"The instant pain I got was so sharp," Bobo said. "It was unlike anything I've ever felt."

Bobo would be out from February to late May before returning to training in June. He recalls his first individual training session coming on a steamy Orlando afternoon.
"I could barely breathe," Bobo said. "It felt like there was a hot blanket wrapped around my lungs. But, that slowly went away and the runs started to get a little easier."

Possessing a Spartan-like mentality, Bobo has embraced running for the physical and mental challenge, as well as the opportunity it gives him to compete. Growing up a big basketball fan, Bobo played junior varsity basketball at Lakeland High Prep during his freshman and sophomore years, but didn't see much playing time due to his size.
That's when he gravitated towards running and eventually track and field and cross country.

"I wanted to do a sport where I got playing time," Bobo said. "I would sometimes run on my own to push myself and get in shape, but I was always the guy that embraces the grind. I did track my freshman year, bt I didn't know what was going on then. Cross country is when I was starting to get really good. I was able to get into contact with Coach Pigg and I gave him my times from high school."

After a visit here Bobo knew he would find his stride.

The senior runner and the rest of the Navy and Gray squad are working to prepare for the indoor season that begins Jan. 31 in Columbia, S.C.

For the whole interview and more on Anderson Bobo, click here.

Players Mentioned

Anderson Bobo

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