Elite British Runners: “Training alone prepares you for racing in lonely marathons”
Posted April 20th, 2007 at 4:15 PM by Kristin Bland
Section: News & Results, Marathons
Top elite British male and female runners Jon Brown, Dan Robinson, Mara Yamauchi, Kathy Butler and Liz Yelling gather for Flora London Marathon press conference earlier today next to the Tower of London. The racers discussed the British preference for individualized training techniques as opposed to American “squad-training”.
The athletes were asked whether the American mentality of constantly training as a group provides stronger running results than training alone like these Brits.
Kathy Butler, current record holder for the Canadian 5000m indoors [15:37.02] and two mile [9:27.18], responded:
“A marathon can be a very lonely event, so training on your own gets you used to that, if you can’t run hard without your friends, you’re not going to be a good marathon runner.”
Liz Yelling, 2007 Bath half marathon winner and course record holder [69:28], added:
“Squad training might cause us to train each other into the ground. We’re too competitive to do group training 24/7. Like when Kathy and I did a track workout together, I had to recover for two weeks after that because we both just kept pushing it.”
“The only thing lacking in Great Britain is altitude,” continued Mara Yamauchi, who finished 6th in last year’s London Marathon. “I don’t know why Britain isn’t producing more great athletes. To me, it’s the support in the US that’s key such as medical and training facilities, this is more important than training with a group of people. When you’re younger it’s more important for that kind of influence, but every athlete is responsible for sorting out what they need individually.”
On a lighter note, Dan Robinson, bronze medal winner in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne added:
“I’ve got work, got to feed the dog, mow the lawn every Saturday. I can’t just leave to go squad-train. I guess we’re all just not in close enough location with each other for such training. It would be a dream to be, but it’s not reasonable.”
Commenting on the concept of a group strategy for the marathon itself instead of in training, Great Britain’s top marathoner Jon Brown stated:
“No matter how well you plan it, it goes pear shaped pretty quick. I’ll run with the guys I’ve planned [to pace] it with, and allow for some wiggle room.”
Overall the British competitors appeared very confident about their preparation and seemed eager for the race day; unconcerned with issues like the supposed advantages of ‘squad-training’ in preparation for the marathon. As Yelling put it, “I just want to race.”
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Tags: american, Britain, british, Dan Robinson, england, flora london marathon, Great Britain, jon brown, kathy butler, live race coverage, Liz Yelling, London, London Marathon, london2007, Mara Yamauchi, marathon training, squad training
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The Final Sprint
From the thin cold air of Colorado, your article made me wish that I had taken my running shoes the last time I went to London! Brava!
April 21st, 2007 at 12:31 pm