Jeffrey Eggleston: “My best is 2:12 and I’m hoping to run substantially better if the conditions are right”
by LetsRun.com
April 18, 2014
We caught up with 2:12:03 marathoner Jeffrey Eggleston today at the pre-race press conference for Boston.
Eggleston, who attended UVA but was kicked off the team when he decided to study abroad, no longer has split loyalties. After making the World Championship team in August, he is now a full-time runner who is hoping to improve his PR this weekend.
“Training has been going great – it’s kind of the culmination of five months worth of month. Everything has been focused on Boston. Just by chance I was able to run 1:03 a couple of times for the half (during my buildup),” said Eggleston who ran a half-marathon pb of 63:00 on February 2nd. “Those were all good signs that I’m getting ready for Boston.”
“My best is 2:12 and I’m hoping to run substantially better if the conditions are right and be one of the top Americans for sure.”
“(But) this is a really good field. There is no where for me to move but up. I think I’m the 24th seed at 2:12.”
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Eggleston, who attended Iona for a year, also said that he is inspired by former Iona runner Stephen Chemlany who was a modest NCAA runner but now a 2:06 marathoner.
Eggleston called Chemlany an “inspiration” who proves “you don’t have to be a superstar in college” to be great at the marathon.
As for his race plan on Monday, Jeffrey said, “I’m just going to go for it and not be afraid to fail.”
As for his dream, he said, “I think my dream – and the reason why I’ve been able to improve so much – is because I haven’t put a limit on a special number that I can run…. It’s year I’m just building on it and getting more experience. I”ve run 13 marathon so I have lot of marathon racing experience. I’m not putting a limit on it and am exploring some unchartered territory and kind of ejoying the ride while I”m doing it.”
Full interview below: