Video: Dathan Ritzenhein On the Marathon Trials and Looking Ahead to the Track Trials

by: LetsRun.com
January 19, 2012

LetsRun.com's Wejo and Running Times Jon Gugala talked to Dathan Ritzenhein for 24 minutes, 24 hours after his disappointing fourth place finish at the Trials.

With 24 hours to reflect Ritz was more positive about coming up 8 seconds short of making the Olympic team. He said, "I ran pretty good yesterday. It was not enough. That tells you were American distance running is."

Immediately after the race, Ritz had speculated maybe he wasn't a marathoner but with a day to reflect his love for the marathon was back.  He said, "I do love the marathon but I think I love being good better... I want to succeed what I'm going to best at. If that means I need to spend a year or two really focusing on the track and figuring out thing a little bit in the marathon that is ok. If that means in two years I'm back full-time in the marathon and 100%, I just want to be good. Whatever I'm going to best at.. The marathon has this glamour, it's the pinnacle event of the Olympics Games and the New York City Marathon. I still want that."

He still has 100% trust in coach Alberto Salazar. The attention now turns to the track and making the Olympic team. As for the marathon he still loves it but in the future wants to approach it from a slightly different approach not making one race the sole focus of the year.

We'll have more on Ritz hopefully tomorrow. Jon Gugala has written a piece on the first half of the interview and it is here so we decided to post the full video in case some of you want to watch it below.

24 Minutes With Ritz 24 Hours After His 4th Place Finish

Thanks to G Series Pro for making Ritz available.


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