I was reading my Norwegian newspaper - Stavanger Aftenblad - this morning and realized I missed an article on Ingebrigtsen that was published a week ago. The article is all about how he tries to front-run the 1500.
Ingebrigtsen acknowledges the stats show the front runner doesn't normally win, but he doesn't really care. He loves tryign to win "overwhelmingly."
Stavanger Aftenblad wrote:
He points out that all statistics and history show that it is almost impossible to run away from the field in championships. But that doesn't stop him. On the contrary, it motivates him.
- I think it's cool that I'm the only one who hunts it. The others are just trying to have a good race and beat each other. I don't just want to win, I want to win overwhelmingly...
But is it pure idiocy to do it in such a way rather than a cheaper way?
- I think the reason why so few have succeeded is that they are not capable of it. And the reason more people don't try is because they don't have enough balls. It's a delicate balance between idiocy and doing something unique.
Ingebrigtsen also said the key is he's very good at knowing what pace he's running and managing pace.
- If I run at 90 percent, I might run a little later. But if I run at 95 percent, it barely goes faster and just costs a lot more energy. That is why people are unable to run in front - they miss the use of energy.
- How good do you feel about it? Do you know exactly when you are running 55 or 56 second laps?
- Yes. If anything, it's where I'm the best in the world. Compared to the others, I am much better, after a lot of practice. Say a "random" runner is going to get up front and drive like that, they go with a bang. That is just how it is.
