Genzeba Dibaba explains her tactics from Birmingham and her desire to set WR at 5000 meters in 2018

Genzeba Dibaba had a rough 2017. This season, 2018, Genzebe Dibaba opened the season with a vengance. Dibaba ran the second fastest 1,500 meters indoors in history, running 3:57.45 for Karlsruhe Indoor Meeting on February 3, 2018.

Genzebe Dibaba wins the 3000 meters, photo by PhotoRun.net

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In Birmingham, Genzebe Dibaba won both the 3000 meters and 1,500 meters. She ran smart and safe, increasing the pace in the 3000 meters with 1 kilometer to go, and moving away from the field in the 1,500 meters with 700 meters to go. Both Sifan Hissan and Laura Muir followed, with Sifan Hissan taking silver and Laura Muir taking bronze in the 3000 meters. In the 1,500 meters, Hissan and Muir chased Dibaba, with Laura Muir taking the silver in the 1,500 meters, and bronze for Sifan Hissan in the 1,500 meters.

We spoke with Genzebe Dibaba after the 1,500 meters. Genzebe understands English, she just prefers a translater in pressers. Genzebe explained her tactics in the races, getting away from the big field and cutting the medal chances down as much as possible.

Genzebe Dibaba takes gold in 1,500 meters! photo by PhotoRun.net

The big comment was her interest in the 5000 meter world record, which she and her translator noted would be a serious focus for the summer of 2018!

Author

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys.

Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

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