The New York Marathon is simply across the nook, and the elite discipline has arrived within the metropolis to prep for the race. Canadian Working had the chance to talk with a number of of Sunday’s stars to search out out what’s going via their heads earlier than they toe the beginning line. Ever puzzled what Ben True or Molly Seidel thinks of poutine? We’ve received all of the solutions to your burning questions.
New York Metropolis Marathon to welcome returning champions, Olympians and record-holders on Sunday
First up, we chatted with True, who’s a six-time U.S. nationwide champion. Sunday shall be his marathon debut, and he’s considering of adjusting up his routine a bit — switching from his common breakfast bagel for some rice and scrambled eggs. “I’ve tried it a number of occasions in apply, and it appears to be working all proper,” he says. True has a number of extra tips up his sleeve, and as an alternative of a pump-up playlist, he shall be listening to the soothing sounds of an NPR podcast to get him within the zone. Distinctive? Actually. Efficient? We’ll see on Sunday. To the dismay of Canadians in all places, True will not be an enormous fan of poutine, however what could shock you is he’s an enormous fan of curling. “I adopted curling very intently for fairly some time,” he says, “however cheese curds on fries with gravy, I’m not as huge of a fan.”
Subsequent up, the Strava queen herself, shock Olympic bronze medallist Seidel, who’s planning on tackling New York the best way she tackles most races — with a full ship. “I method most races the identical means I’ve for my final three — simply specializing in the trouble that I’m placing out,” she says. “The explanation I don’t actually make race plans is since you by no means know what different persons are going to do. Peres may take it out in 2:17 tempo, and realistically, that’s simply too quick for me to attempt to be going.”
Surely, there’s rather more deal with Seidel than ever earlier than, however the elevated consideration doesn’t seem to have impacted her negatively. “I feel the best way individuals see me has modified, however the best way I see myself hasn’t,” she says. “I do know what I have to do, and I’m going to maintain doing that. I’m not going to vary that simply because I’ve a medal round my neck.”
Seidel doesn’t have a pump-up playlist able to go but, however concern not: she mentioned she’d share it with the world as soon as she places one collectively. And as for poutine? As a Wisconsin woman, she loves it — and even gave us a suggestion if we’re ever within the state (a spot in Madison known as Disco Fries, in case you’re curious what an Olympian chooses as a late-night snack).
We additionally spoke with Kenenisa Bekele, who’s second solely to Eliud Kipchoge as one of many quickest marathoners the world has ever seen. After a disappointing efficiency in Berlin (which, he says, is as a result of he didn’t sleep properly the night time earlier than), he says he’s prepared and excited to be in New York. His first time racing the New York Metropolis Marathon, he’ll doubtless be operating a extra tactical race, operating for the win slightly than difficult for the course file of two:05:05, set by Kenya’s Geoffrey Mutai in 2011. “It’s troublesome to say if I’ll run a course file or not,” he says. “That is my first time on this course and I don’t know the way arduous it’s, and there aren’t any pacers, which additionally makes it robust.”
Lastly, we had the prospect to talk with the Olympic champion herself, Peres Jepchirchir, who says the quick turnover from Tokyo to New York was not simple, however she’s taken the required time to recuperate and is able to go for Sunday. When requested what her objectives for Sunday are, nonetheless, she was a lot much less prepared to share. “It relies upon,” she says. “I’m not saying something now, I do know the course will not be simple, however I shall be attempting my finest.”
Meet the brand new race director of the New York Metropolis Marathon
Sadly, Canada’s elite athletes weren’t in attendance on the press convention, however will little question be making ready mentally and bodily to toe the road on Sunday. The race kicks off with the wheelchair division at 8 a.m., adopted by the elite ladies at 8:40 and the boys at 9:05.