I’m all set for the Golden Mile in Oslo
26 June 2002 - In his latest exclusive diary for the IAAF, Hicham El Guerrouj recalls his recent experiences and looks forward to the start of the Golden League this Friday in Oslo. With good weather, the right pace and the likes of Noah Ngeny pushing him hard, can Hicham set a new world record?
“I am now back in Morocco, training in Ifrane, in the altitude of the Atlas mountains. After competing last month in Eugene I spent one day in Rabat to see my family and my little sister, and then came straight up here. The first days were a little cold and rainy, and we tried to adapt to the change, then luckily the weather improved and we were able to work well.
My friends and pacemakers, Hossine and Aziz and my brother are always with me. We live in a chalet with two bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen and a cook comes by every day to prepare our meals. Often after training some friends come along from the nearby Al Akhaouine University in Ifrane, and we discuss a lot of different subjects, frequently speaking English. It’s good to get your mind off athletics!
I was very disappointed when the French football team was eliminated from the World Cup. I am their No. 1 supporter, and woke up at 5:30 in the morning to watch their decisive match with Denmark. For two days afterwards it was horrible, I was very sad.
Now I am in the finishing stages of the preparation for the first Golden League meeting in Oslo. We start training in the morning, with jogging, then work on the track and specifically on rhythm. Together with my coach we continually analyse the various aspects I need to work on, and at this time of the season the crucial point is usually the rhythm, both for 1500m and 3000m.
I am preparing really well for Oslo and hope to register a very good performance there. If we have good pacemakers we can pass through 1500m in 3:28-3:29 and then give it all. I believe it is possible to aim for the world record or in any case the seasonal best, with a performance under 3:44.00.
One of my biggest competitors there will be Bernard Lagat. Bernard and his girlfriend are good friends of mine. We have a lot of respect for each other. Once we are on the start line of course we become opponents, and the duels we produce on the track are a show for the spectators and the organisers. His presence motivates me to give my best - the competition between us improves the level of the race.
To all my fans and those who love athletics and sport, see you in Oslo!”
Hicham El Guerrouj
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