Where Your Dreams Become Reality
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Where Your Dreams Become Reality |
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LetsRun.com LetsRun.com is pleased to present the following interview of 2004 US Olympian Abdi Abdirahman, a scheduled competitor in this weekends Papa Johns U.S. 10 Mile Championship. The interview was conducted by 1996 US Olympian Marc Davis. Both "The Doc" and Abdi attended the University of Arizona.. Abdi Abdirahman is often the silent enigma. Born in Somalia and now a US citizen, Abdi is now considered at age 28 to be a seasoned veteran even though he only started running at age 18. Abdi brings 27:42 10k credentials to the table along with a host of international experience that culminated with a 2004 US Olympic berth in the 10,000 meters in Athens. After the Olympics, Abdi ran his first marathon in NYC in November finishing 14th in 2:17.09 as he really struggled the last few miles with an Achilles injury. He then had to take several months off from running due to injury, but has recently shown why he is known as one of the most naturally gifted guys on the circuit as he has come back and finished 6th place at this years Jacksonville 15k USATF Championships on March 12th, and then 2nd at the USA Mens 8k Championships in New York City on March 26th. Clearly on the upswing, he enters the Papa Johns 2005 US 10 Mile championship as one of the favorites. 1996 US Olympian Marc Davis sat down with his fellow Arizona alumnus to discuss plans for the future. Marc Davis: How did you measure up to your expectations from your debut marathon in New York last year? Abdi Abdirahman: My training going into the race was very good. I really felt like I was as fit as I could be. It was just unfortunate that I got injured three weeks out from the race. In the last 6 miles of the race, my achilles really acted up. Sometimes you just cant make excuses. You just have to compete. MD: Rumor has it that you took a long break after NYC. How long did you take off, and was it because of the injury? Abdi: Yeah, it was because of my achilles. I had to take about 3 months off to basically give it time to recover. I could have taken it month by month, but in the end I decided I didnt want to do that. MD: Were you able to retain any of that marathon build-up strength going into this years competitions? Abdi: Yeah, I think I was still able to keep some of it. I really only started doing my long runs in the last month or so. But I am feeling strong though. I usually do 17 or 18-mile runs, but Ive been taking it easy on my Sunday runs. Its getting better each week. I am kind of nervous, but also excited about getting stronger. I have a great group of guys to train with here in Tucson. I train with (Bernard) Lagat; one of my good friends. MD: What are your future marathon plans? Abdi: Well, when you get to my age (28), some people start to count you out. I know I may be a veteran, but I still feel young in the sport because I didnt start running until I was 18 years old. I really think I have some unfinished business on the track. I want to get the American Record for the 10k (Meb Keflezighi, 27:13). All my background training is getting me ready for that. But if I dont get it, I wont regret that, because I will keep trying at 100%. I want to run a fast marathon this fall; either Chicago or New York. As long as my training goes well and I stay healthy I should run fast at one of two races. MD: Your fitness seems to be improving with each race this year. What are your thoughts on your strength going into the Papa Johns 10 Mile Championships? Abdi: I feel very confident. I certainly dont want to take anything away from any of the other runners. I only know about Abdi. I know how Ive been training, and so all I can worry about is how I am going to run. I just think about running the best race that I can. Maybe if I feel good I will even go after the American Record (Greg Meyer, 46:13), because thats how confident I am. MD: Ive seen the pictures, and Ive read the stories. Just how pimped-out is your ride? Abdi: Ah man, you remember how it is down here in Tucson at the University of Arizona. You gotta get the pimped ride. Its just the lifestyle down here. You know that. Running is a fun thing, but life is too short to not enjoy everything else. I love cars, and I love trucks. Ive got a Yukon Denali with 22 inch rims. Hey, its just the way I am man. Right now I am working on getting this 1969 Impala from a friend of mine. I am going to restore that for my next ride.
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