Q — Hi Sam, can you quickly introduce yourself?
R — What's up Distance! My name is Sam Parsons, I'm a professional athlete for adidas and I work as an art director for Tinman Elite.
Q — How did athletics come into your life?
A — When I was younger, I rode my bike to swim practice. Every summer, our coach made us work hard: 6 a.m. sessions, strength training, and running after the pool to get our bodies going again. I was a good swimmer, but I was way ahead when we were on the track. That's where I developed my competitive spirit: pushing my teammates and being willing to work. At the time, I used to accompany my sister to cross-country races—I thought it was cool and ended up following in her footsteps at 14.
Q — 2020 was a tough year. Did you manage to take any positives from it in your sporting sense?
A — Honestly, both personally and athletically, it was horrible. I lost family members, I went through anxiety, a loss of confidence, depression on a level I'd never experienced. The bad news kept coming. On top of that, I had recurring discomfort in my Achilles tendon that wouldn't let go. Running is my huge outlet when things go wrong: that heel thing was taking away my escape. That said, I spent a lot of time developing the business side of Tinman Elite, I recruited an incredible assistant coach, and now I have a hunger to run like a maniac... because that's who I am today!
Q — Your goals for 2021?
A — To put my whole heart into running. I have the opportunity to make an Olympic team—something I never thought possible. My goal: to give everything I have mentally, physically, and emotionally to pursue this dream and have a hell of a lot of fun along the way. Whatever the outcome, in 10–15 years, I want to be able to say I gave it my all.
Q — Your favorite distance? Your best racing memory?
A — Any distance… as long as it's cross-country on grass. My best memories are those moments right before the starting gun, huddled on the finish line with my teammates, ready to fight for each other after months of hard work. I live for that. One moment in particular: crossing the finish line with my teammate Meron Simon to qualify for the NCAAs—special, after everything we'd been through together.
Q — Tell us about Tinman Elite.
A — We're just a group of guys who like to have fun and do things a little differently. Creating content, clothes, stuff that others don't take the time to do. Running our way. Working hard every day. Leaving the sport in a better state than when we started. Pushing the limits, in racing and in business. And most importantly: connecting with all levels of runners. While having a good time along the way.
Q — Any bad habit of Tinman's that amateurs shouldn't copy?
A — Respect your body EVERY DAY. I'm such a competitor that postponing or canceling a workout seems unacceptable to me. I get emotional and I let it get the best of me sometimes. My advice: RESPECT what your body is saying. If you're burned out, sore, or uncomfortable, it's okay to skip a workout while your friends train. Rest up and come back and fight another day.
Q — What does being the artistic director of a running club involve?
A — Every new collection, collab, shoe release, marketing plan, or video goes through me at some point. I work with an incredible creative team to bring it all to life. It's a full-time job: no Netflix or video games all day like “some pros.” I think product, design the next collection, dream up launches, meet with sponsors, and put together marketing and social calendars. Our interns say my real title should be “Director of Ideation”—I'm always coming up with new ideas. I love it… maybe more than running sometimes (don't tell adidas!).
Q — We see you as Noah, Aimé Leon Dore, vintage Atlanta Olympic cap… what's your style? Any tips for running in style?
A — I have friends at Aimé and Noah; they make me feel good, and I like representing them. These brands inspire me a lot creatively. I observe their collections and launches, then I try to infuse our running philosophy. My style? “High-end thrift”—yes, it sounds paradoxical. I shop a lot at flea markets and pair them with more expensive pieces: new Adidas, nice pants, a $2 hat or shirt. I love wearing clothes that people have never seen or can no longer find: obsessed with vintage with a patina.
Q — You live in Boulder, a renowned training spot. What's your daily life like there?
A — Boulder is fire! It's a special place. I'm not a kid from megacities: I love the calm and the people here. It's the closest thing to a European city in the United States, so as long as I don't move to Europe, I'm staying. My routine: run in the morning, breakfast, day of brand/product meetings, then depending on the day, physio, weight training, aqua jogging, relaxation, dinner, sleep. (You can see one of my days in a video — you probably know it.)
Q — Close to Max and Tom from District Vision: your favorite product from them?
A — Tom and Max have influenced me a lot—meditation, branding. I turn to them whenever I'm stuck. They gave me a pair of Nagata rose-colored lenses when I visited them in New York before they moved to LA. I wore them almost every day my first year as a pro—I have to mention them.
Q — What are your favorite shoes on the Adidas side?
A — I've been wearing Adidas for eight years. My favorites—by far (sorry, biased)—are the Tinman Elite Boston 10s we're releasing this summer. I'll send you a few pairs for the shop!
Q — Thanks for your time! Which American or German athlete will we interview next?
A — Interview my teammate Jordan Gusman . You won't be disappointed!