by Justin LagatHere is Justin Lagat’s piece on the preparation and focus of Betsy Saina before the Kenyan Olympic Trials and her plans for the future! We thank Justin Lagat for his weekly coverage for RunBlogRun on Kenyan athletics!
Betsy Saina, Beijing 2015, photo by PhotoRun.net
She is one great, and focused, 10,000m athlete with a strong passion for running. Last year, she was second to Vivian Cheruiyot during the Kenyan trials for Beijing world championships. Now, to Kenya’s Olympic trials, she feels ready to compete. Will she be able to move up one more step from last year’s second place and win the women’s 10,000m event at the Kenyan trials?
Below is what Kenya’s Betsy Saina had to say regarding her preparations for the Olympic trials, her Olympic plans if she makes the team and her ultimate goals to achieve before retiring from running.
RunBlogRun: How has your training been going so far? Do you feel ready for the Olympic Trials?
Saina: Training is great! It’s that special year for everyone trying the luck to make the team, I have done my part on the preparation. At this point, I am excited to race and see what I have in store.
RunBlogRun: How can you compare yourself now to last year ahead of the Beijing trials?
Saina: This year I sacrificed lots of races to train and be fresh for the trials, you know it’s not gonna be easy it’s everyone’s dream to make the team. I am in a good shape now for the 10000m but I know many athletes are getting ready as well. I am excited to toe the line with the best and see what I have.
RunBlogRun: The trials will be done this time round in Eldoret, and not in Nairobi. Are you concerned about the change in venue?
Saina: Well, I can’t say anything about the venue, as an athlete, you train and don’t stress yourself thinking about venues, either way we will race no matter the venue.
RunBlogRun: God willing, if you make the Kenyan team, what will be your aim in Rio?
Saina: You know when you compete at the Kenyan trials, it’s Olympics by itself because no matter what someone from Kenya will medal in Rio. I will draw the plan after the trials! I am ready to race the Kenyan Olympics to place top three before thinking ahead.
RunBlogRun: Are there any lessons you learned during the Beijing world championships that you think will be valuable to you in Rio?
Saina: Yes absolutely, it was my first time making the big team. I will be more experienced and I will not be afraid to face the world!
RunBlogRun: Looking at teams from other countries (especially the Ethiopians), what do you think is the possible outcome in the podium places for Kenyan women in the 10,000m event?
Saina: Well, Kenya has been known to excel, I am not worried at all. I know after the selection the team will talk with the national coaches and I am sure a good plan will be established, it’s Olympics year and no one is taking risks. Everyone country wants to excel.
RunBlogRun: What is the ultimate goal you will want to achieve in your running before retiring?
Saina: I want to run marathon in future, my goal is try my best and hope to be a great marathoner like Mary Keitany before I retire.
