Bernard Lagat competing at the Prefontaine Meeting (© Kirby Lee)
Hello everybody, I am back again!
Well, I am eagerly waiting for the European season to begin. After three good races in Modesto, Portland, and Eugene, I feel that I am ready to test my fitness level overseas.
Prefontaine was my last US race before heading off to Europe for the summer. The Prefontaine Classic was exciting because although it was my third appearance at the meet, I had not got great results in the past.
This year, I was able to run a good race and obtain a good time to start the season. Of course, the fans in Oregon always help push me along and give me the adrenaline to finish strong.
This summer will be a big year with the World Championships capping off the season. Like every track and field athlete competing this year, my goal is to win gold at the World Championships in Paris. There are many great 1500m athletes out there, but I am up for the challenge!
Since moving to Tucson, Arizona, my coach and I have felt that my training has moved to another level. Arizona weather is wonderful! I feel this has helped my training, making every work-out session 100%.
I also started a serious weight training routine with my coach and training partners this year. Coach Li feels that this strength will help me especially around World Championship time when my weight starts to drop.
I have been working on my distance training by doing some longer runs with Abdi Abdirahman, who has shown me some tough undulating terrains in Tucson.
I have a couple more weeks of hard training in the US before departing for my first European meet in Ostrava. I look forward to racing against other athletes that did not come to the US, and of course, my fellow countrymen.
Every year, a newcomer full of talent arrives and I am excited to see who it will be this year!
Bernard Lagat