Renato CANOVA: you were very optimistic about the potential of Kenenisa when you've coached him, but YOU WERE 100% RIGHT! Fantastic race of Kenenisa today...
It seems to me that with a more regular race and good pacers, he could still run 2h02'30 in Berlin or Dubai, what do you think?
Renato CANOVA: congratulations for BEKELE!
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What are the news for Florence KIPLAGAT by the way?
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Please post his build-up, coach Canova! Would be lovely to see and compare vs. Kirui and Mosop in the past!
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jTjg wrote:
Please post his build-up, coach Canova! Would be lovely to see and compare vs. Kirui and Mosop in the past!
It would be interesting to see for sure, but Bekele has always been more secretive in his training. Even if Canova shared the plan from his end, it might not be close to what actually happened out on the road. -
CANOVA does not train BEKELE any more, but he was fully right about what he wrote here on Kenenisa's abilities.
It seems to me however that the BEKELE of today, with perfect conditions (cooler temperature, better rabbits and more regular race) could have run at best 2h02'30, but that the KICHOGE of last London edition, under the same perfect condition in Berlin could have run a low 2h02 (considering also that London is more difficult than Berlin which is totally flat)...
We'll probably see the two in duel with a new WR attempt next spring in London! -
Every time Dr. Canova comes here, people become disrespectful to him. That said, I'd like to hear his opinion.
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NativeSon wrote:
Every time Dr. Canova comes here, people become disrespectful to him. That said, I'd like to hear his opinion.
same. -
NativeSon wrote:
Every time Dr. Canova comes here, people become disrespectful to him. That said, I'd like to hear his opinion.
Agrees, how long has it been since he was here? -
NativeSon wrote:
Every time Dr. Canova comes here, people become disrespectful to him. That said, I'd like to hear his opinion.
Mr Canova's words are expensive and many times he appeared here to answer provocative accusations (meant to get him in here).
Still, would be nice to hear him more often, or have an organized Q&A thread with him here (or anywhere else). -
I had the opportunity (and the fortune) to work with Kenenisa after Chicago 2014, till Dubai 2015. He was completely out of shape, and with big problems in his calves and tendon. However, in spite of his physical problems, he was able to train with good continuity, also if with a volume far from what I consider optimal for a top marathon, and in his last two workouts already showed the possibility to run well under 2:04 in Dubai. Only the new injury could stop him from running under that time.
After that period, we tried for about two months to continue training, going in the gym and running in the water of a pool, but the problem didn't disappear.
From the beginning of April, he quitted running. Only after several months, an equipe of doctors and physios from Glasgow University, under the guide of dr. Yannis Pitsiladis, took care of Kenenisa, working with him on daily basis, and step by step his physical situation became better.
What he did in London was unbelievable. People didn't believe what I wrote (he ran 2:06, with 1:27:23 the first 30 km, with less than two months of specific training, after 11 months without any running activity !), but this was what really happened, and I think now everybody can believe what I explained after London was true.
He is not yet at 100% as fitness, and of sure not at his top as training.
This means that can have big chances for running 2:02, if his body structure can stay under control, and there are not other injuries.
Today we could see the most amazing marathon all time, with two different interpretation : the "Kenyan", always used by Wilson Kipsang and other athletes such as Patrick Makau and Kimetto, with athletes trying a "break" far from the finish line, running some km very much faster than the average pace, more instinctive, and the "European", based on the continuous even speed at average pace, based on a more rational feeling. Kenenisa likes running in this way (also on track, he always preferred to run at even pace till the final sprint), and also Eliud Kipchoge prefers this interpretation.
When I worked with him, I discovered a person of great heart, very kind and friendly, with top personality and very deep values, and, frankly, I found immediately a strong feeling with him as person. For this reason, it's really ridiculous to think about doping when we speak about athletes of this level. They have a so strong personality, and so much confidence in themselves, that never want to have any external aid, because is not that they want to win : is that they DON'T WANT TO LOSE, and this happened also today, when after 28 km he seemed to struggle a little, when Wilson launched the first attack. But, for an athlete like Kenenisa, who never had good finals in the marathon previously run, every time was able to fill the gap using an even pace, this was an injection of confidence for the ability to run all the marathon at high level. Kenenisa had some moment of psychological difficulty, but at the end found in his tank so much energy that he finished the last 2195m in the best final ever : 6'08", showing that in the final km probably is still the strongest athletes in the World.
I don't want to forget the incredible race of Wilson, too.
Like with Kenenisa, I had the opportunity to work with Wilson in the past, and I know his talent, his mind, and also his loyalty and his character.
Honestly, I didn't think him able to run again in 2:03, after the last 3 marathons without good results (I think he was too much disturbed by the fact to be the President of PAK, with fights with AK, that didn't allow him to prepare with proper focus). He is one of the greatest all time, and till now is the only one able to run 3 times under 2:04.
All my admiration, my respect and my friendship for athletes, and men, like them, that can maintain the values (also moral) of athletics at the highest levels. -
Thank you Renato for these very kind and deep words. Human values of these athletes are (at least) as important as what they do on the track or on the road. We probably saw today one of the very best (if not the best) marathons of all time, with two of the very best athletes ever and both high value human being. We will always remember this moment.
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Renato Canova wrote:
I had the opportunity (and the fortune) to work with Kenenisa after Chicago 2014, till Dubai 2015. He was completely out of shape, and with big problems in his calves and tendon. However, in spite of his physical problems, he was able to train with good continuity, also if with a volume far from what I consider optimal for a top marathon, and in his last two workouts already showed the possibility to run well under 2:04 in Dubai. Only the new injury could stop him from running under that time.
After that period, we tried for about two months to continue training, going in the gym and running in the water of a pool, but the problem didn't disappear.
From the beginning of April, he quitted running. Only after several months, an equipe of doctors and physios from Glasgow University, under the guide of dr. Yannis Pitsiladis, took care of Kenenisa, working with him on daily basis, and step by step his physical situation became better.
What he did in London was unbelievable. People didn't believe what I wrote (he ran 2:06, with 1:27:23 the first 30 km, with less than two months of specific training, after 11 months without any running activity !), but this was what really happened, and I think now everybody can believe what I explained after London was true.
He is not yet at 100% as fitness, and of sure not at his top as training.
This means that can have big chances for running 2:02, if his body structure can stay under control, and there are not other injuries.
Today we could see the most amazing marathon all time, with two different interpretation : the "Kenyan", always used by Wilson Kipsang and other athletes such as Patrick Makau and Kimetto, with athletes trying a "break" far from the finish line, running some km very much faster than the average pace, more instinctive, and the "European", based on the continuous even speed at average pace, based on a more rational feeling. Kenenisa likes running in this way (also on track, he always preferred to run at even pace till the final sprint), and also Eliud Kipchoge prefers this interpretation.
When I worked with him, I discovered a person of great heart, very kind and friendly, with top personality and very deep values, and, frankly, I found immediately a strong feeling with him as person. For this reason, it's really ridiculous to think about doping when we speak about athletes of this level. They have a so strong personality, and so much confidence in themselves, that never want to have any external aid, because is not that they want to win : is that they DON'T WANT TO LOSE, and this happened also today, when after 28 km he seemed to struggle a little, when Wilson launched the first attack. But, for an athlete like Kenenisa, who never had good finals in the marathon previously run, every time was able to fill the gap using an even pace, this was an injection of confidence for the ability to run all the marathon at high level. Kenenisa had some moment of psychological difficulty, but at the end found in his tank so much energy that he finished the last 2195m in the best final ever : 6'08", showing that in the final km probably is still the strongest athletes in the World.
I don't want to forget the incredible race of Wilson, too.
Like with Kenenisa, I had the opportunity to work with Wilson in the past, and I know his talent, his mind, and also his loyalty and his character.
Honestly, I didn't think him able to run again in 2:03, after the last 3 marathons without good results (I think he was too much disturbed by the fact to be the President of PAK, with fights with AK, that didn't allow him to prepare with proper focus). He is one of the greatest all time, and till now is the only one able to run 3 times under 2:04.
All my admiration, my respect and my friendship for athletes, and men, like them, that can maintain the values (also moral) of athletics at the highest levels.
Thanks for the in depth response! Always great to hear from a knowledgeable coach on the boards! Bekele has such a high degree of talent to compete how he has the last few years with sub par training. Seems like he must have a great mentality to keep pushing himself through his years of injury, and it really paid off today. Truly inspirational athlete that has achieved so much, and seems to have even more in him. -
Thank you for your input Renato. I would like to know what you think will happen if Bekele and Kipchoge, both on full strength, will race a marathon together? Thanks
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Renato Canova wrote:
I had the opportunity (and the fortune) to work with Kenenisa after Chicago 2014, till Dubai 2015. He was completely out of shape, and with big problems in his calves and tendon. However, in spite of his physical problems, he was able to train with good continuity, also if with a volume far from what I consider optimal for a top marathon, and in his last two workouts already showed the possibility to run well under 2:04 in Dubai. Only the new injury could stop him from running under that time.
After that period, we tried for about two months to continue training, going in the gym and running in the water of a pool, but the problem didn't disappear.
From the beginning of April, he quitted running. Only after several months, an equipe of doctors and physios from Glasgow University, under the guide of dr. Yannis Pitsiladis, took care of Kenenisa, working with him on daily basis, and step by step his physical situation became better.
What he did in London was unbelievable. People didn't believe what I wrote (he ran 2:06, with 1:27:23 the first 30 km, with less than two months of specific training, after 11 months without any running activity !), but this was what really happened, and I think now everybody can believe what I explained after London was true.
He is not yet at 100% as fitness, and of sure not at his top as training.
This means that can have big chances for running 2:02, if his body structure can stay under control, and there are not other injuries.
Today we could see the most amazing marathon all time, with two different interpretation : the "Kenyan", always used by Wilson Kipsang and other athletes such as Patrick Makau and Kimetto, with athletes trying a "break" far from the finish line, running some km very much faster than the average pace, more instinctive, and the "European", based on the continuous even speed at average pace, based on a more rational feeling. Kenenisa likes running in this way (also on track, he always preferred to run at even pace till the final sprint), and also Eliud Kipchoge prefers this interpretation.
When I worked with him, I discovered a person of great heart, very kind and friendly, with top personality and very deep values, and, frankly, I found immediately a strong feeling with him as person. For this reason, it's really ridiculous to think about doping when we speak about athletes of this level. They have a so strong personality, and so much confidence in themselves, that never want to have any external aid, because is not that they want to win : is that they DON'T WANT TO LOSE, and this happened also today, when after 28 km he seemed to struggle a little, when Wilson launched the first attack. But, for an athlete like Kenenisa, who never had good finals in the marathon previously run, every time was able to fill the gap using an even pace, this was an injection of confidence for the ability to run all the marathon at high level. Kenenisa had some moment of psychological difficulty, but at the end found in his tank so much energy that he finished the last 2195m in the best final ever : 6'08", showing that in the final km probably is still the strongest athletes in the World.
I don't want to forget the incredible race of Wilson, too.
Like with Kenenisa, I had the opportunity to work with Wilson in the past, and I know his talent, his mind, and also his loyalty and his character.
Honestly, I didn't think him able to run again in 2:03, after the last 3 marathons without good results (I think he was too much disturbed by the fact to be the President of PAK, with fights with AK, that didn't allow him to prepare with proper focus). He is one of the greatest all time, and till now is the only one able to run 3 times under 2:04.
All my admiration, my respect and my friendship for athletes, and men, like them, that can maintain the values (also moral) of athletics at the highest levels.
Thank you for your comments, Renato. -
BBen wrote:
CANOVA does not train BEKELE any more, but he was fully right about what he wrote here on Kenenisa's abilities.
It seems to me however that the BEKELE of today, with perfect conditions (cooler temperature, better rabbits and more regular race) could have run at best 2h02'30, but that the KICHOGE of last London edition, under the same perfect condition in Berlin could have run a low 2h02 (considering also that London is more difficult than Berlin which is totally flat)...
We'll probably see the two in duel with a new WR attempt next spring in London!
No.
They will avoid each other. -
Dumoulin wrote:
Thank you for your input Renato. I would like to know what you think will happen if Bekele and Kipchoge, both on full strength, will race a marathon together? Thanks
Bekele kicka butta Kipchoge. -
many thanks renato.
we study your words and work.
good luck with your athletes in the future. -
Haha I personally dont think so, kipchoge seems unbeatable at the moment
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Thank you for your comments, Coach Canova.
Since you have mentioned some points about Bekele's racing mentality and approach, it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the the mental impact for Bekele of working extensively with Pitsiladis, who firmly believes that a sub-2 hour marathon is within reach in the foreseeable future. -
Thank you for your comments and insight!
