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Catching Up With Betsy Saina - Payton Jordan 2015

Published by
DyeStatPRO.com   Apr 30th 2015, 9:53pm
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Kenyan Star Seeks to Build on Big 2014

By Scott Bush

At this weekend's Payton Jordan Invitational, former Iowa State national champion Betsy Saina takes on fellow Kenyan Sally Kipyego in the women's 5,000m. Currently living in Colorado Springs and training with the American Distance Project, Saina has high hopes for the season, especially after she lowered her 5k best on the track to 14:39.49 in 2014 (the fifth best time in the world last year). 

We caught up with Saina this week, chatting about the weekend ahead, 

Follow Betsy: Twitter

Scott Bush (SB): Payton Jordan is this coming weekend, where you're entered in the 5k. How's training been going for you of late and what are your expectations heading into this weekend's race?

Betsy Saina (BS): Yes, I am racing 5k at Payton Jordan this coming weekend, like most of the athlete this race will serve as a rust buster. Going into the race the goal will be to gauge where my fitness is at. My training has gone really well, I have a solid month of training here in Colorado Springs and looking forward to how it will translate in a race.

SB: Will we see you continue to race on the roads this spring and summer or does your full attention now shift to racing on the track?

BS: I still have one, maybe two, road races on my schedule, but the focus is now on the track. I look at road racing as part of preparation for the track season.

SB: You're racing Sally Kipyego again this weekend. You two have had some very close finishes the past couple years. What's it like to have such a strong competitor running stride for stride with you and what do you need to do in order to beat her this time around?

BS: Anytime I have a chance to race Sally is a great opportunity. I look at her more of a mentor than a rival. Back in college at Iowa State I used to admire what she did both as a student-athlete and as a pro. As for the race, I am looking forward to an opportunity to gauge where I stand early in the season. At the end of the race, if I have the feeling that I gave it all, then I will take whatever position it comes with that feeling. It will be a fun race for sure.

SB: You're training in Colorado Springs these days and following the guidance of coach Scott Simmons. Who are your other training teammates? How has training at altitude been different compared to your time spent in Ames (at sea level)?

BS: Yes, I am training with the American Distance Project under the guidance of Scott Simmons and currently training with Mattie Suver, Augustus Maiyo, Hillary Bor, Joseph Gray, Antony Malory and Nour-Eddine Smail. Due to the altitude here in Colorado Springs, we always have individuals and groups training with us on temporary basis which makes it really fun. Training in Colorado Springs provides a great opportunity to maximize my potential with ability to vary altitude from 4,000ft to 9,500ft within an hour drive, not to mention endless trails and 300+ days/ year of sunshine. The main different though is the fact that running now is my job compared with running in college.

SB: The past few years have seen you continually progress in terms of personal bests. What's your secret to becoming one of the world's best?

BS: There is no one secret magic to the progression I have made in the last few years. It’s an entire system working right with a bit of luck. When I graduated from Iowa State in Fall 2013, I knew I had to work really hard if I was to compete with the best women in the world. Lucky for me I had a great foundation, Corey (Ihmels) my college coach help me build a huge aerobic base, running an average of 80 miles/week for my last two years. With a good foundation I have been able to step up my training in the last one and half years as a pro with measured intensity and great focus on recovery.

SB: What are your goals for the 2015 outdoor season? 

BS: 2014 season was a great one for me. I had a check mark behind every goal by mid-July some with ! next to them. For the 2015 season, my main goal is to stay consistent and if I replicate 2014 season I will be happy. My focus is to be part of the Kenyan team for WC (IAAF World Championships), which is a tough task, but doable. My training is currently geared towards the Kenyan Trials.

 



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