• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Kenyan Athletics

Questions to Vivian Cheruiyot, 2020 London Marathon Preview

Stuart WeirbyStuart Weir
September 29, 2020
0
0 0
0
SHARES
2
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

viv259p.jpgVivian Cheruiyot, photo by London Marathon Media

viv299.jpgVivian Cheruiyot, photo by London Marathon Media

RelatedPosts

Faith Kipyegon and Waithaka Mburu speak at the Sirikwa Classic Press Conference

Why the 2023 Boston Marathon will be unchartered territory for Eliud Kipchoge

COROS Athletes Watch, #11: Eliud Kipchoge’s record-breaking feat in Berlin proves his sporting greatness is more about winning 

Questions to Vivian Cheruiyot

I first met Vivian in 2011 at the Daegu World Championships. We have kept in touch. I have interviewed her at least 4 times – including August 2020. This is not one interview bit highlights of all my conversations with her.

How soon did you realise you had a special talent for running?

565940679_CP_8237_B3AB98EDEEF1C9015DFD479CE0107933.JPGVivian Cheruiyot, photo by Getty Images / World Athletics

I realized I had a talent when I started running in primary school. Then I made the team for world cross country in Italy I think it was 1997. I won the junior trials and I was still young so I knew I had a talent.

You won your first World Championship medal in 2009 in the 5000m. What do you remember of that race?

565940679_CP_8323_2E9E669D794C98F0B792EBFF6354FC5C.JPGVivian Cheruiyot, photo by Getty Images / World Athletics

I remember that one because it was between the Kenyans and the Ethiopians. Meseret Defar was a strong lady and people thought she was going to win the race but we showed a lot of determination to do our best. When I was on the starting line, I was not thinking that I would win but it was my turn and my time

In Daegu 2011 World Championships you won two gold medals. Did you expect that?

I think it was because of the training and the hard work I had done. All athletes are training to win a medal. I was in good shape and I decided with my manager to try the 5000m and 10000m. I could not believe that I was double world champion. I think I was good at both distances but most of the time I was running the 5000m.

What was your biggest success on the track?

Winning an Olympic gold medal in Rio because it was the one thing I had not previously done in my athletics career. It was something I was looking for all the way through my career and I was thinking if I don’t get it in Rio on the track, perhaps in 2020 God will give it to me in the marathon. Achieving it meant that my career in athletics was complete and I thank God.

In Rio I was in good shape and when we did the 10,000, I did my personal best. In Kenya I had been doing very well in my training. I was disappointed because every time it comes to the Olympics year it seemed I couldn’t win a gold medal. In 2012 I did the 5000m and 10000m and got silver and bronze. So I was asking myself: “why every time in world championship can I win medals but the Olympics why every time I don’t get gold medals”. I was questioning myself but I thought there is still time and I can still run. And I won the 5000m

The 5000m in Rio was an exciting race; what were your tactics?

We planned our race well. We looked at the way she [Ayala] was running. I watched the way she was running and she was quicker in the middle of the race. She was running 66 and perhaps we were doing 68 so we were watching the race she was doing. In the last two kilometres I hear the commentator say that she was doing 72 and we were doing 68 so I thought “we are quicker than her” so we decided to elevate the pace. It was unbelievable and I thank God. It was my last race on the track it was so nice to end with a medal, so nice for me.

Why did you decide to change from track to marathon?

I have been running for almost 18 years – track and cross country. I decided because of my age. I was 33 and I wanted to do a marathon while I was still strong.

Why did you decide to run your first marathon in London?

I choose London for my first marathon because London is my second home. I love London because of the people. They are very supportive and are always cheering you on.

Did your training change a lot when you started running marathons?

It did not change so much, a little bit because of the longer runs. There is no difference except for long runs and the speed for marathon is not the same with the speed for track races. For the Marathon I need to do longer runs. When running track, 15K is the longest you do. Now I do 30K, 40K. I don’t enjoy the 40K! They are difficult but you have to it if you want to run marathons. In a long run you can set the pace but in track workouts you have to chase the pace but I still do track workouts. In a week I might run 105K.

Some marathon runners say you have to learn to run more slowly.

Sometimes you think you are not running fast and that you are not in shape. But I was told that I had to reduce my speed because in the marathon you cannot do the same speed as on the track. I have to reduce my speed. I am used to running faster at the track, in training I have to train my mind that I am running at the speed for marathon.

How difficult to come back after son born?

It was not so difficult because when I was going on maternity leave I had planned everything. I did not want to come back too quickly. I wanted to have my baby and take 8 months after delivery. So I stayed away 8 months. The problem was just the weight. I was 54 kilos and I had to reduce that to 40.

You are a Christian, how does that influence your life?

Since I started my career, I have seen a lot that God has done for me. Where I was 10-15 years ago and where I am now is so different. He is the one who gives us strength and everything, so without God everything is impossible. Without him you cannot succeed in your life. It is not my strength it is God’s strength. Without Jesus I would not be succeeding the way I am because without him, I could not do anything.

How did you feel about the postponement of the Olympics?

I wanted to do the Olympic marathon in 2020 but they are postponed until next year and I don’t know if they [Kenyan team] will select the same people as for this year or if they will make changes. I want to do the Olympic Marathon but it won’t be a big issue for me. I’ll be OK.

Author

  • Stuart Weir
    Stuart Weir

    Since 2015, Stuart Weir has written for RunBlogRun. He attends about 20 events a year including all most global championships and Diamond Leagues. He enjoys finding the quirky and obscure story.

    View all posts

Previous Post

2020 Athletics Chat, episodes 1-20 (plus epilogues)

Next Post

2020 RunBlogRun Spring Track & Field Training program, in the time of the coronavirus, Week 40, day 3

Stuart Weir

Stuart Weir

Since 2015, Stuart Weir has written for RunBlogRun. He attends about 20 events a year including all most global championships and Diamond Leagues. He enjoys finding the quirky and obscure story.

Similar Post

2023 Dubai Marathon Showcases new course this year!
Dubai Marathon

2023 Dubai Marathon Showcases new course this year!

February 6, 2023
Coffee With Larry, New Balance Indoor Grand Prix delivered, A week until Millrose Indoor and Dubai marathon!
2023 World Athletics Indoor Tour

Coffee With Larry, New Balance Indoor Grand Prix delivered, A week until Millrose Indoor and Dubai marathon!

February 6, 2023
Femke Bol gets her first World record over the 500 meters  at the 2023 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix
2023 World Athletics Indoor Tour

Femke Bol gets her first World record over the 500 meters at the 2023 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix

February 6, 2023
Koech and Guta claim top prize at Lagos City Marathon
African Athletics

Koech and Guta claim top prize at Lagos City Marathon

February 6, 2023
Aleia Hobbs wins the Women’s 60 meters in a very tough field, in 7.02, two World Champions do not make the final…
2023 World Athletics Indoor Tour

Aleia Hobbs wins the Women’s 60 meters in a very tough field, in 7.02, two World Champions do not make the final…

February 6, 2023
2023 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, February 4, 2023, complete results from World Athletics Results Service
2023 World Athletics Indoor Tour

2023 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, February 4, 2023, complete results from World Athletics Results Service

February 6, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

July 5, 2022
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

July 17, 2022
Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

November 18, 2022
Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

October 14, 2022
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

5
TCS New York City Marathon Broadcast to be Available in More Than 530 Million Homes Around the World on Sunday, November 6

RunblogRun Editorial: The Sorry State of Running Television Coverage, by Peter Abraham, note by Larry Eder

4
Cary Pinkowski did the Heroic Thing–My letter to CNN on the LSB Chicago Marathon

Cary Pinkowski did the Heroic Thing–My letter to CNN on the LSB Chicago Marathon

3
2023 Dubai Marathon Showcases new course this year!

2023 Dubai Marathon Showcases new course this year!

February 6, 2023
Coffee With Larry, New Balance Indoor Grand Prix delivered, A week until Millrose Indoor and Dubai marathon!

Coffee With Larry, New Balance Indoor Grand Prix delivered, A week until Millrose Indoor and Dubai marathon!

February 6, 2023
Femke Bol gets her first World record over the 500 meters  at the 2023 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix

Femke Bol gets her first World record over the 500 meters at the 2023 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix

February 6, 2023
Koech and Guta claim top prize at Lagos City Marathon

Koech and Guta claim top prize at Lagos City Marathon

February 6, 2023

Popular Stories

  • USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

    Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • (RBR Archives) Coaching 101: Warm Up & Cool Down for the Jumps, by Roy Stevenson, note by Larry Eder

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Recent Tweets

RunBlogRun Follow

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. RunBlogRun is the voice of the sport.

RunBlogRun
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
38m

I love this track! @thetrackatnb is fast, situated in a awesome arena for 5,000 fans to worship indoor track & field. It is one of the finest, if not, the finest I have seen in north America! ...Great job, #newbalance, @newbalance, #newbalancerunning, @gamupdates,

RunBlogRun @RunBlogRun

This is Larry Eder at @runblogrun, showing our dear readers @thetrackatnewbalance. This is the house that Jim Davis built, and it is a sanctuary of sport. Check out our one minute tour of the 200m ...screamingly fast track. Video by @stargazerpix. @gamupdates, @newbalance, #WIT

Reply on Twitter 1622676532010569728 Retweet on Twitter 1622676532010569728 Like on Twitter 1622676532010569728 Twitter 1622676532010569728
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
41m

Now, @DevonAllen13 is off to the @superbowl! @Eagles, @theshoeaddicts, @uoregon,

RunBlogRun @RunBlogRun

Devon Allen has been one of our most popular podcasts of the year! @Eagles, @BleacherReport, #footballlife, #trackandfield, #110mhurdles, #diamondleague, @DevonAllen13, #JustDoIt #RunBlogRun ...https://twitter.com/theshoeaddicts/status/1512577296544280577

Reply on Twitter 1622675906367205377 Retweet on Twitter 1622675906367205377 Like on Twitter 1622675906367205377 Twitter 1622675906367205377
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
42m

Rob De Castella was one of the toughest marathoners of all times, and a tough cross country runner as well! @deek207, #runblogrun,

Rob de Castella @deek207

A long time ago I once won a golden shoe….

Reply on Twitter 1622675601260965888 Retweet on Twitter 1622675601260965888 Like on Twitter 1622675601260965888 2 Twitter 1622675601260965888
Retweet on Twitter RunBlogRun Retweeted
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
5 Feb

Coffee with Larry, quick review of the exciting 2023 NB Indoor GP held for first time at THE TRACK at newbalance, #newbalance, #thetrackandnewbalance, #kevinmorrisphotography, #gamupdates,

Reply on Twitter 1622321040117403648 Retweet on Twitter 1622321040117403648 5 Like on Twitter 1622321040117403648 2 Twitter 1622321040117403648
Retweet on Twitter RunBlogRun Retweeted
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
17h

2023 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, February 4, 2023, complete results from World Athletics Results Service https://bit.ly/3lan2ro , #NBIndoorGP, #worldindoortour, #kevmofoto

Reply on Twitter 1622432253887365120 Retweet on Twitter 1622432253887365120 6 Like on Twitter 1622432253887365120 3 Twitter 1622432253887365120
Load More...
Next Post

2020 RunBlogRun Spring Track & Field Training program, in the time of the coronavirus, Week 40, day 3

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist