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Kenya’s Thomas Kiplitan, 23, will run his second marathon at the 2006 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon later this month. As a steeplechaser, Kiplitan ran 8:12, making him the junior world leader in 2003. Adding distance to his speed, Kiplitan soon set the course record at the US 10K Classic in Atlanta (28:48) and ran the third fastest road 10K of 2004 (27:39) at the Beach to Beacon 10K in Maine. Still not satisfied with his success, he decided to bump up his distance again, and debuted at the Rotterdam Marathon in April 2006 with a 2:10:05.
Many people wonder why someone with Kiplitan’s speed would move to the marathon. Mensracing sat down with Kiplitan in Boulder, Colorado, to ask him.
MensRacing.com: You’ve run 8:12 in the steeple. Why move up to the marathon?
Thomas Kiplitan:
I was very strong in cross country. It was my strongest event. I felt it transferred better to the roads than to the track. I have run fast times on the track, but I think I can be a better marathoner.
MR: Your first crack at the marathon was in Rotterdam last spring, and you debuted with an impressive 2:10. How did you feel about your first attempt at it? Was it what you expected?
TK: With the marathon, it is hard to know what to expect. So much can happen. But I was very happy with the race. When I finished, I was happy, but also knew I could run a lot faster. I could improve.
MR: As your coach, Dieter Hogen, has mentioned, you’ve been maintaining your speed throughout this marathon training. It wouldn’t be too difficult to drop back down to the roads or even the steeple if you wanted to. What do you think? Is it the marathon here on out or are you leaving open the chance to get back on the track or roads?
TK:
I will stick with the marathon. I am sure I will run some shorter road races, like half-marathons and 10Ks, but I will not go back to the track.
MR: You’re out here in Boulder with the other KIMbia runners. How is it having a group of elite East African runners to train with every day?
TK: It’s very nice, because you feel good when you are training with a group, especially with athletes who are so experienced. It is just much easier training in a group.
MR: And you’ll be racing with four of them in Chicago, plus a few more will be pacing you. Because you’re still relatively new to the distance, are you glad to have them in the race or does it not affect you either way?
TK: Oh no, it is very nice to have them in the race. It makes it much easier because it is just like training. At Rotterdam it was Charles [Kibiwott] and Luke [Kipkosgei]. We ran together for 28K.
MR: Even though you started as a steeplechaser, you obviously have some endurance in your background, because your trip between your family’s shamba [plot of land] and school was 20 kilometers round trip. Did you run?
TK: In the morning, I always ran. If not, I would be late. It is not good to be late. After school, I would some days walk, some days run. I guess I was already training back then.
MR: Yeah, I think you were. So now you have your own shamba [farm] back in Kenya. Is it hard to be away from your wife and kids while you are training in Boulder?
TK:
Yes. It is very hard. But it is part of our work.
MR: Do you call home often?
TK:
Yes. Every week I call.
MR: What about e-mail?
TK: Yes. I e-mail also.
MR: So you have a computer at home?
TK: Oh no. No computer. [My wife] goes to the post office where the computers are. Or they have other buildings with computers.
MR: Are you heading back to Marakwet right after the Chicago Marathon?
TK: Yes, I will go straight home. I am very excited to be home. Like I said, it is very hard to be away, so it is very nice to get home.
MR: Any idea what your racing schedule will be like after that. A spring marathon? Maybe Rotterdam again?
TK: I have not decided anything yet, but will think about it in November or December. It is coach’s decision. I have no preference. Whatever Dieter thinks is best.
MR: But of course Chicago comes first. Now that you know what to expect, is there anything you plan to do different at Chicago? Has your race strategy changed at all?
TK:
I cannot comment anything now.
MR: How has your training been?
TK: Training has been very good. I notice a difference now compared to my training before Rotterdam. I am stronger. I have great confidence in my training.
MR: Do you have a goal for Chicago?
TK: I won’t give a time until the training program is finished. There is too much that can happen between now and then.
MR: Fair enough. Then I’ll just ask you one more question. What’s your favorite thing about Dieter Hogen?
TK: Dieter is a very nice coach. We have such high confidence in the workouts he gives us. He has coached great athletes, and we all want to make him proud. He communicates with us very well. At first, maybe it was difficult because English was not our first languages, but now we are used to him. We have no problems.
Interview conducted October 1 and 13, 2006, and posted October 18, 2006.
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