Where Your Dreams Become
Reality
Where Your Dreams Become
Reality
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Interview With PaceMaker Olga Komyagina:
Pacemaker is an enjoyable job
Ahead of the rather prestigious meet Prefontaine Classic in the American town of Eugene (Oregon), where there is a lot of talk about a world record attempt in the womens 5000m (14:16.63) by the Ethiopian runner Meseret Defar, we would like to present a constant helper to the African athlete Olga Komyagina from St. Petersburg, Russia. She was invited for this role again at the meet, which will take place on 8th June. Olga is currently training in Kislovodsk, and I was able to talk to her over the phone. For reference, pacemaker in track and field is an athlete whose task is to establish an agreed tempo, lead the race for a certain distance, and then drop out. -Olga, you are famous as a pacemaker, but how did you come to be one? - Everything happened spontaneously in 1999, when, at the Winter World Championship in Maebashi (Japan), I was running with Gabriela Sabo from Romania. Inadvertently, I set a comfortable tempo for her, and she won, while I finished fourth. After this, Gabrielas manager invited me as a pacemaker to one of her races. Next season didnt go too well for me, but I signed an official contract for a rabbit role, thats why I was rabbiting at all stages of the Golden League. Whats interesting, is that often I didnt even know myself what distance I would have to race (the range was from 1500m to 5000m); I only knew the day before the race. It wasnt that important, though, because I had enough speed to last 1200m for 1500m race, and half for the 5000m. Thats how it was until I took a break due to the birth of my daughter, after which race organizers started inviting me again, but this time, as a pacemaker for Defar. At that time, I did not know her personally.
- This answer is obvious to me. When youre racing for yourself, you dont owe anything to anyone, even if you fail. When youre a pacemaker, youre fully responsible for the athlete youre helping, and, if you fail, you can waste months of training for your partner. - Is role of pacemaker strictly regulated, or, if you have any strength left, can you finish the race yourself? - Often, when leading part of the race, it is impossible to continue, due to incredibly high speeds of African runners, especially in 5000m. My main task is to withstand the planned speed and not fail the athletes for whom Im trying to create ideal conditions. Sometimes, it is necessary to be prepared to all kinds of surprises in the race. - Arent you bitter that youre always working for someone else, and neglecting yourself? - Im used to this and I like that my work is helping others reach their goals, which would be rather difficult for them to reach by themselves. At many meets, I hear words of gratitude, not only from the winners, but also from the athletes who ran their PRs. I think it is okay to sacrifice my own ambitions for the sake of such high praise for my honest work. But, to be honest, often this situation does depress me. -This season is very serious, with Olympics being the main tournament in any athletes career. Do you feel like your training is disrupted when you have such long flights and in-between meets? -We already achieved everything I planned with my coach. And such serious competitions are specifically mentioned in the contract. Thats why we are planning these competitions without harm to my training. We are planning several races in June, and after that there will be a period of rest to better prepare for the Russian Championships (17-20 July) which will be a selection meet for the Olympic team. -Olga, do you feel like a pacemaker inside, or do you still feel you have not realized your own potential? - As I said, I really like the pacemaker role, but I have pretty good PRs myself (like 8:35.67 in 3000m authors note), so I cannot accept only the role of others helper. I think I can still improve my own times as well. - In general, is it easy to be a pacemaker? Can anyone fill this role, or do you need a special talent? - Ill tell you this: organizers of some big meets tried many famous athletes for this role, including Russians, but no one could perform well enough to be in demand again. Here, it is important to have the feel for the pace, running has be to synchronous with partners. You either have it or you dont. -Olga, you were a participant in the current 5000m world record by Meseret Defar, which she set last June in Oslo (14:16.63). Do you have to specially prepare to such important races, or are you just training through them? - I do not prepare specially, although if youre planning to execute your mission fully, you have to be in excellent form. As I already said, sometimes there could be surprises from other runners when they are trying to break the tempo, so I have to plan my preparation in great detail, to be able to help maximally in the race. - Meseret Defar is a celebrity in running. How is she in real life? Are you simply an instrument for achieving her records? Do you mean more than that to her? Outside of track, would you call her a friend? How do you communicate? - Outside of track and field, due to the language barrier, we cannot truly call ourselves close friends, although Meseret is a very friendly and open person. She is always warm to me, always grateful for my work. Im very happy with our relationship. - More than once I heard you being jokingly called the best pacemaker of all times and people. Do you have any secrets that helped you reach such recognition among the world stars? - I dont have any particular secrets. Im just doing my job in a way that I would like to be led in a race myself, thats all. I like my present role, and I sincerely wish that my friends, whom Im helping on the track, reach their goals. When this happens, I see a small part of my own work in their success. But again, Ill repeat myself, I did not fully accept this as my only role yet, I still want to become a better athlete myself. -Olga, thanks for such lengthy answers, and we will be awaiting new grand results from the athlete in your care. - Thank you very much, I will try to do everything I can to help Meseret execute her plans. Victor Zhdanov (www.runners.ru)
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Runner's World &
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- Whats easier for you: to race for your own
result, or to work for someone elses success?
