In most instances, Cody Thomas would focus on speed, pace and sheer will while racing the 400 meters, the final event of five on Day One of the demanding two-day decathlon.
Thursday in Bradenton, Florida, the UAA senior had something meatier on his mind.
Namely, beef.
Seawolves coach Michael Friess told Thomas, who is competing in the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships, that he could choose the dinner menu if he ran roughly his personal best in the 400. With that carrot dangling before him, Thomas focused on something more substantial than a vegetable.
"I had a little incentive in that I got to pick dinner," Thomas said by cellphone. "That was the only thing I was thinking during the race — 'Steak, steak, steak, I can get steak.' "
Thomas dashed, then dined. The New Zealander clocked 47.88 seconds, recording his fastest 400 in a decathlon and matching his personal-best in the open 400. The effort helped him seize the first-day lead with 4,087 points, the most he's ever accumulated through five events.
Thomas also used an astonishing personal-best in the long jump and a strong effort in the high jump to earn a lead of 168 points over Azusa Pacific's Shakiel Chattoo and a 202-point cushion over Tanner McNutt of Pittsburg State.
After the 400, it was off to a local Outback Steakhouse for refueling. While Thomas noted the irony of a Kiwi rewarding himself at an establishment with an Australian theme, he had that angle covered.
"I heard (Outback) was actually started by guys from Florida, so that's OK," Thomas said.
Friess said when he made his deal with Thomas, the decathlete noted Outback was running a special that upgraded an eight-ounce steak to 12 ounces. The long-time UAA coach said he positioned himself track-side at the 300-meter mark and encouraged Thomas.
"I yelled, 'You've got a shot at it,' and he did," Friess said.
Thomas, who finished seventh in the decathlon at nationals in 2014, is seeking to become the Seawolves' fourth individual national champion in outdoor track and field. David Registe claimed the long jump title in 2008, Micah Chelimo won the 5,000 meters in 2012 and Cody Parker won the javelin in 2013.
Thomas' performance Thursday in temperatures near 90 degrees highlighted an otherwise difficult day for UAA athletes in the Florida sun.
Senior Joyce Chelimo, who entered the women's 10,000 meters with the fastest time this season in Division II, did not finish the race. Sophomore Caroline Kurgat, seeded second, finished 10th in 36:20.
"Our distance runners struggled, and I've got to figure out what I did wrong," Friess said. "Whether we traveled wrong, or what. (Chelimo) gave an honest effort. She just didn't have it. She just had a bad day."
Junior sprinter Jamie Ashcroft, an All-American last season, faced tough luck — her preliminary heat was into the strongest headwind of the three heats. She finished 14th in the 100 meters in 11.97 and did not advance to the finals. In the 1,500 meters, senior Jessica Pahkala and sophomore Tamara Perez did not advance out of the heats.
UAA sophomore Henry Cheseto, seeded 11th in the men's 10,000, finished 14th in 31:53.28, more than two minutes off his personal best.
Thomas, though, generated a solid 100 meters (11.12) and shot put (39-1.75), and strong high jump (6-6.25), to complement his long jump and 400.
Thomas soared 24-8.5 in his third and final attempt in the long jump, an improvement of 17 inches over his previous best. That mark was sturdy enough that it would have landed him eighth — the final All-American position — in the open long jump contested Thursday.
Thomas said he finally got his steps timed perfectly when he launched off the take-off board and continued that strong technique while airborne to not just exceed 24 feet for the first time, but blow well past it.
"I finally got on the board in the right position and kept my feet up," he said. "That kind of works."
Thomas' strength lies in Day One of the decathlon, and also in the 110-meter hurdles, the first event of Day Two, which opens Friday morning and also includes the discus, pole vault, javelin and 1,500 meters.
"If I can nail a hurdle time, that will alleviate a lot of pressure," Thomas said. "I'm in pretty good position, but you can't count your chickens until they're hatched."
Huh — in addition to steak, he talked about chicken and eggs. Makes sense. As grueling as the decathlon is, most athletes need protein to prosper.