Abdi tells non-believing reporter he wants to be on the podium on Monday: “Why not? l’ll give it my best shot. I’m gonna swing.”
by LetsRun.com
April 18, 2014
Today at the pre-race press conference, John Hancock presented all of the elites running in Monday’s 2014 Boston Marathon – the 118th edition of the historic race.
Below you will find our Q&A with 4-time US Olympian Abdi Abdirahman. Abdi is in the same boat as many of the top Americans in Monday’s race. Like Brett Gotcher and Ryan Hall, he hasn’t finished a marathon since the 2012 US Olympic Trials.
Think that means the beginning of the end has arrived for the 37-year old? Don’t tell that to Abdi. Abdi very confidently laid out his expectations for Monday today. “”Things have been going great. It’s been a good buildup. I’m healthy,” said Abdi. That led to the following entertaining Q&A with Alex Lohr:
Reporter: (What are your) expectations?
Abdi: Podium.
Really?
Why not.
There are seven guys going in who have run sub-2:05.
2:05 – Are they going to run that on Monday?
Do you think you can slug it out with them?
Why not:? It’s 26 miles. I’ll give it my best shot. I’m gonna swing.
Where does this confidence come from?
My training.
Has it been better than ever?
It’s been great, wonderful.
Much more from Abdi below.