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Post NYC Half Marathon Interview Excerpts From The Live Interviews Shown on ABC 7 in NYC.

The race was broadcast live on the Internet and the finish was shown live on ABC 7 in NYC. After the race, both Haile G and Abdi were interviewed live for an extended period of time.  

Just like his race, Geb's interview was something special.  Text doesn't do Geb's charisma true justice but we have typed up some excerpts from the interview until we hope we can find a youtube posting of the interview. for you to watch.

Geb on the race. "How was it out there?".
Geb: I didn't expect them to push at the beginning - that was a mistake. Central Park is hilly and dark... I don't understand why they pushed. They know I'm a 5,000 and 10,000 meter athlete. They tested me - impossible (Geb laughed when he said this)... But they pushed - thank you.

Geb after being asked to talk about the move that he made to break the race open after the athletes left Central Park.  
Geb: I knew I was in good shape. When they pushed (coming) out of the park, I knew that was a good chance. Bye bye.

The time I ran today - really it was fantastic. It was more than two minutes faster than last year.  I'm still young.

Geb after being asked if he talked to the other runners during the race. Geb: No - just only with Abdi. He gave me an indication to go. (I was thinking) what's going on? Maybe he want to use me as a pace maker - thank you.

Geb, after having all of his accomplishments described to himself, was asked "What do you do next?" Does he focus on the marathon, what does he do?
Geb: My dream come true today. I was dreaming to run in New York City one day. Today I'm so happy.. .Next of course is the Olympic marathon (at this point, just as Haile was going to talk about the one thing he hasn't accomplished he was interrupted and asked by Larry Rawson - when will you run the NYC marathon?)

On what it was like to run in NYC:
To run in the middle of the town, that gives you a  lot of .... (butterflies) especially when I crossed into Time square - the place was what I dreamed (Editor's note: It was great to Geb visually sort of act out the term butterflies with his hands as he didn't know the English word for it).

This one is something different. I had never walked in New York city when it's quiet like today. That's what I wanted. It's wonderful."

A few minutes after Haile's interview, Abdi Abdirahman was interviewed. Here are some excerpts.

Abdi- After being congratulated on a 2nd straight strong performance in NYC.
Abdi: Thank you. What a second. I'm not ashamed I finished 2nd. If you want to finish 2nd, there is no better person to finish second to than Haile. He's the greatest to do this sport - he's the Michael Jordan of running or track and field or road racing. I'm just glad to finish second to Haile. I knew it was a great day for me. I gave it my best and I have no regrets."

On what happened when the race broke open after they left Central Park (Abdi surged 1st and Cheruiyot was dropped and then Haile surged and dropped Abdi):
Abdi: In a road race, you go through the moment when everything hits you and I just went through that moment. Actually (I made) the surge and we dropped Robert Cheruiyot.  In running when you make a surge, you try to recover from your surge but Haile didn't give me time to recover from my surge. He surged again while I was recovering from my surge.... You know he's the legend of the sport and he knows perfect timing.":

Abdi on his pre-race talk saying he was going to win the race. Did you really believe you were going to beat (Geb) or was that just a psyche move for you?
Abdi: It wasn't a psyche move. In sport, as an athlete, you have to believe in yourself. You have to believe you have a chance to win it. If you don't, you shouldn't come to the race as you've already lost mentally.

I know Haile is a great runner but even the greatest ones lose once in a while - they don't always win."

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