After having such incredible year Paula Radcliffe announced that her #1 priority for 03 is the 10,000 in Paris. She may even double because the 5000 is after the 10,000. She said that as far as the Olympics goes she could do the 5000 and 10,000 or the 10,000 and marathon; whatever
her best chances are of winning. Her is where I would like
some feedback.
If she wins the 10,000 in Paris I could see her doing the
marathon in Athens. The thing that scares me about her doing the marathon in Athens is if she tries to combine it
with the 10,000. With the heat and humidity of Athens that will take its toll on any athlete and Paula is only human.
The marathon will be one that she hasn't been in before. Times will be out the door; thats a given. Lets say it takes
a 2:23-2:25 for the win by way of a 1:13/1:10 or 1:14/1:11
split. There are a number of athletes capable of running
that, what will be interesting to see is how Paula adapts her training to race in those conditions at the marathon distance. You could say this will be another "first" marathon for her as her previous 2 have been on flat courses
in cool weather.
Whatever she chooses to run it will be spectacular to watch.