Donn Cabral emerged as a rising star on the international track scene in 2012.
Cabral culminated his legendary Princeton University career by winning the NCAA outdoor championships title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase that June and then two months later he placed eighth in the event at the London Summer Olympics.
Heading west to Bellingham, Wash. that fall to train with his high school coach, Peter Oviatt, Cabral was primed to reach the top echelon in the steeplechase.
But after some initial success, including a personal record in the 1,500, Cabral was laid low by a mysterious ailment.
“All of a sudden I wasn’t able to recover after workouts,” recalled Cabral. “I was feeling exhausted, especially when running and the day after a hard workout. I could function as a normal person but so much of what I do is to perform at 100 percent and have that extra one percent. I was aware that something wasn’t right.”
After doctor visits and a battery of tests, Cabral was diagnosed with Lyme disease. He underwent long-term antibiotics regimen and returned to New Jersey looking to regain his health and form.
Experiencing an uneven 2014 season with some ups and downs as he figured out how to train around his condition, Cabral came into this year determined to get back to full speed.
“I really think of 2015 as starting on New Year’s Day, that is when the prep really begins for me,” said Cabral, who is based in Clinton, N.J., and competes for the New Jersey New York track club.
“December is a mental health month, I train but not very hard. I don’t worry about the little things. Hard training and intensity begins with the New Year.”
Cabral’s intensity and attention to detail has him looking like his old self, as he set a personal record of 8:13.37 in the steeplechase in late June to take second at the U.S. outdoor nationals.
As a result of that finish, he will be competing for the U.S. at the IAAF World Championships which are taking place in Beijing from August 22-30.
In reflecting on his year, Cabral feels like he is clicking on all cylinders.
“2015 has been very good for me,” said Cabral. “I have done things right training at altitude, using an oxygen tent, eating right.”
Coming into the nationals, Cabral felt he was primed for a breakthrough performance.
“I really was thinking that I was ready to run much under my PR,” said Cabral.
“Two weeks earlier, I had taken .07 seconds off my PR and I knew I had a lot more in me. I was waiting for the right race. It started at a conservative pace, slow early on, and I was thinking this wasn’t going to be the day. I picked up the pace for the last half of the race. I ended up six seconds better; it showed I can compete with the best when I take a chance.”
Competing against Evan Jager, who clocked a time of 8:12.29 in winning the nationals, has helped bring out the best in Cabral.
“That would not have happened if Evan had not taken it out; he is in really good shape,” said Cabral.
“It is encouraging that I was able to stay within closing distance and not be demolished by him. I was proud of what I showed there, doing the negative split to get 8:13.”
Looking ahead to the world championships, Cabral will draw on his experience at the 2012 Olympics.
“I have been in a lot of big races; it is not the nerves; it is about reinforcing in my mind that I can outperform my speed,” said Cabral, who will compete in the heats on August 22 with the final slated for August 24.
“I wasn’t the eighth fastest in London; I was not even slated to make the final but I came in eighth. I know I can perform when it counts. I want to show it on the big stage.”
While Kenyan runners have typically dominated the steeplechase, Cabral believes the U.S. contingent, which also includes Daniel Huling, the third-place finisher at the nationals, can be at the head of the pack in Beijing.
“I want to surprise myself and others,” said Cabral. “Evan has made his statement. He has shown people what he can do, it would not be that big a surprise for him to win. I think the U.S. already made a statement with the three of us going 8:12, 8:13, and 8:14. If I show up healthy, I think I can improve on what I did at nationals. I have more; it was a negative split and I can go out faster.”
Cabral is looking to keep improving as he aims to make a return trip to the Olympics and compete at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.
“That is the goal, to make it back to Olympics and see what happens,” added Cabral.
“I was eighth in 2012 and I have gotten better. The next step is to try to get a medal, that is the dream of all athletes.”
Whether or not that dream comes true, Cabral plans to continue his track career having regained his health and form.
“I think I will still compete after 2016,” said Cabral. “I am young enough in the sport. I am showing promise and improvement, it would be a waste of potential to stop too early.”