What kind of intervals are you doing in your current prep for NYC?10k broken in quarters, 600s, 800s and ks. Just trying to keep the turnover high. I’m running 65s, 66s. Instead of doing mile reps at 70 which at altitude is close to tempo pace, we stick to the shorter stuff.
Winner takes it all?
What would be the point to run at all if this would be the case? So we have to find a way that running can be a success for everyone. This certainly could be a personal best but even if it isn’t a PB and if I don’t win the race, how can I make it worthwhile? The way I look at it: figure out how to run with the right heart. If I run with the right heart, it’s a success for me. I can look back at the end of the day and see a good experience. For me, I feel like I was created to run. If I do that step by step and can also help other people, then that’s success for me. Even a guy like Gebrselassie loses half the races he enters. He, like a lot of the African runners, has such a good attitude. I remember seeing him after London, when he dropped out after 14, 15 miles. And then the very next marathon he sets the world record. So I question myself “How would I have handled that? Would I have the confidence to set the world record after that?” If you look at that attitude, you can see that these guys have a mental edge over us. Confident. Just positive. When they eat, they see it as a power source. How different is that to what we do in the US? You stuff in a muffin and feel guilty about it.
Would you consider doing a camp in Kenya?
Yeah, I thought about that actually. It’s just tough logistically for us with my wife competing. She’s usually getting ready when I have my break and vice-versa. But I’d love to go over there some day and train with them. Would be a lot of fun. I like being around guys like Paul Tergat or also Hendrick [Ramaala]
I just spoke to Hendrick and he said “winner takes it all”.
[laughs] He’s such a low-key, happy guy. I love to watch him run. He’s unconventional. He just goes for it and is not afraid of it. He’s just surging down first avenue and stuff. He’s exciting to watch. You never know what he’s gonna do. [laughs]
Did you already think about a place at the NYC marathon that could be decisive, like the first avenue you just talked about?
This is usually where Hendrick goes. I’ll be ready for that. But I haven’t made any concrete plans. Even in Boston I didn’t have one. I just went out and ran. But maybe this time around I will figure out something more concrete. But mainly I just wanna be out there and be myself.
What do you like about running in NYC?
It’s the buzz. Even if you just go for a jog in Central Park, you feel like the city is behind you and you feel like you are part of history. What happens in NY gets recorded in history books. So I see racing there as an opportunity to make history. The NYC marathon is runner’s Broadway. There’s no bigger performance stage than that.
Of course I’d like to win the race but knowing what kind of field they are goin to bring out there, it’s gonna be tough. Therefore, I aim to be part of the race, to be out there, to shape the race. It’s gonna take a great day to win and I am preparing to have a great day.
Are you convincing your wife Sarah to step up to marathon?
Since Falmouth she’s talking more and more about that actually. She’s like “I can see myself doing a half.”
And when are you doing a mile?
I’ll do the 5th avenue mile! [laughs]
It wouldn’t count though. You have to do it on a certified track.
When?
I don’t know. I thought it was gonna happen before this but it didn’t happen.
What’s your mile PR?
I ran 3:42 on the 1,500 when I was in high school at age 18.
What shoes would you wear for the 5th avenue mile?
Something light. Probably the Piranhas.
And in the marathon you run the Hyperspeed’s?
That’s what I have worn but I now wear those special rice shoes they made. They are really light and a little more sticky. I love them. The current model I use has a little bit more cushion. I did all the testing in Japan, including my ground impact. They figured out that because of my long stride and being a little bit bigger for a marathoner I need more cushioning. That should make a difference out there.
What are you training in, say, at long tempos?
Hyperspeeds
Are you using anything heavier than that at all?
Yeah, on my easier days I jog in Cumulus. They actually feel really good on my legs. I don’t feel like beating up my legs even more on easy runs. I can’t do all the runs in flats like the Japanese do. I don’t know how they do it. Probably because they weigh 120 lbs. They’re tiny. It’s a little different when you are 140 lbs.
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