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The men's 5,000m was one of the most interesting races of the
championships. Coming in, there were three athletes who already
had the World Championships "A" standard of 13:21.50,
defending champion Tim Broe, Adam Goucher, and Jorge Torres, and
two more who were just ticks away, Ryan Hall, and Ian Dobson.
When
Broe burst away from the pack in the first kilometer, Dobson and
Hall saw their chance. They followed Broe, caught him, and then
paced each other until, with two laps remaining, Broe again pulled
away, this time to win his third title in the event in a record
13:12.76. Hall followed Broe initially, but as he began to tie up,
it was Dobson who took second. All three were under the "A"
standard, and all three were under the U.S. Championships record.
Q:
What did you think of the race?
Tim Broe:
I was glad to see those guys [Dobson and Hall] get up and push.
I thought I was going to have to do it all by myself. I always tuck
in behind people, but I decided to get out there and push the first
mile, kind of make this thing honest from the get-go. I got to about
five laps, and I thought, 'I guess I'll have to lead this thing,
but I'm not going to slow down if there's anyone around me.' Ryan
just made a big move and was anxious to take the lead and push the
pace. I was a bit surprised, but quite happy.
Q:
Did that make it easier, to have three of you guys working together?
TB:
Definitely. I could let those two feed off each other, and they
looked like they came in with a plan to run fast. Heck, man, my
hat's off to the young talent. They're just not afraid, and that's
what we need. Those are the kind of guys we need representing us
at the World Champs.
Q:
Were you surprised to PR today?
TB:
No, I was really ready for it. I was 100% prepared to run under
13:20. I didn't know how fast I could go on my own, but like I said,
they helped out. And there was a little bit left in there. That's
the fastest I've ever been through 3K in a 5K, and it still isn't
that fast. So I was a bit hesitant with a mile to go, and I held
back some.
Q:
What does this tell you about what you might be capable of this
year?
TB:
Well, I've known for the last couple of months, especially for the
last month, after a couple good 3Ks, that I think on my best day
I can run 13:05. After today, I'm convinced I can. I've got seven
seconds in me. We were only 7:59 through 3K, and ideally I'd like
to be about seven seconds faster there.
Two
seconds quicker and I'd be top-three all-time, that kinda irks me.
Oh well, it'll come.
Q:
What's it feel like to come into this race healthy, and with all
your assets in place?
TB:
This is the first time since 2001 that I've come in 100% prepared.
It takes a lot of stress and pressure off you, coming in knowing
you're fit and not worrying about what's happened in the past.
Q:
How long of a stretch have you had since you've been hurt?
TB:
It's been 18 months since I've had to take a day off from injury.
And fortunately, being in really good shape, I didn't have to taper
for the meet. I definitely sharpened up and got ready for it, but
we're still really getting ready for a month and a half from now.
Q:
What did the New York Grand Prix race tell you about your conditioning?
TB:
I actually felt really rough there. I was expecting to run like
7:36 or 7:37, and it was one of those days I wasn't clicking. I
think I trained too hard the week before. But to have an off day
and run 7:41, against some pretty good guys on a hot and humid day,
it bodes well for the summer.
Q:
What's your racing plan between now and Helsinki?
TB:
I'm going to go back for three weeks in Ann Arbor and start doing
some fast stuff. I haven't done anything faster than 60-second pace.
I'll get a 1,500m in, and a really good 5,000m, in Europe somewhere,
either Stockholm or London. Then just train and get ready for the
World Champs, three weeks out from World Champs.
Q:
After those races, will you come back to the U.S.?
TB:
No, sorry, that'll be like July 25th, so I'll just stay over there.
Q:
Where was the wind in the race?
TB:
It was back here [gestures] at the 300 mark. From about 350 to 300
there's a little bit of breeze in your face, but nothing you would've
noticed.
(Interviews
conducted June 24, 2005)
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Tim
Broe.
(Photo by Alison Wade/New York Road Runners)
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