Qualifying for Berlin

AS You qualified for Berlin by winning the trial race in the A standard time at Perth. Was that race in line with expectations or exceeded expectations?

CT My coach and i had looked at the qualifying standards and were pretty confident training had gone well and, all things being equal, the qualifying time was achievable. You still have to make sure all goes well on the day. Thankfully it did.

AS How did it feel to have your selection for the GB team for Berlin confirmed?

CT You run your race, and then you’re just hoping for the best, but you have to wait a few days for selectors to meet. When the message came confirmimg selection It just felt fabulous.

As a kid, like all of us, you dream of maybe making the Olympic Games and having an Olympic Dream.

For many reasons that can only happen to a few of us. As i have got more into ultra running the last few years, I guess going to the World 100km championships is as good as it gets and I am so looking forward to it.

Building up to World Championships in Berlin

AS Since Perth has your training gone well and have you changed anything?

CT I chatted with my coach Marcus Scotney, and we haven’t really changed much. The build up to Perth worked well, so in the few months between events it didn’t t seem worth making any major changes.

I do most of my training on my own.There have been a few tweaks to some sessions but it has really been about consolidating what we did building up to Perth and learning from the experience of now having a road 100k under my belt.

AS Looking specifically towards Berlin have you been looking at any specific factors?

CT Berlin, as everyone knows, will be warmer than Perth. Although conditions in Perth were good, I was really cold for the first couple of hours which surprised me. I tend to be ok in the heat, but it has been good we have had some lovely warm spells to get used to running in the heat.

Looking ahead to the race

AS In a World Championship how will you balance individual goals against team goals on the day?

CT Individual times may well come down to how conditions are on the day. I feel i am better prepared both physically and mentally for this one. At Perth, although i was selected for the England team, it was only as the race progressed and we ended up contending and winning the Anglo Celtic Plate, it dawned on me the real relevance of team competition and running for each other too. I am much more aware how important the team is for the World Championships. Looking at the entries the standard looks really high. The Japanese obviously stand out due to the times they have achieved in the past. If we all run to our capacity I feel we can run times to be in contention for a medal.

Top tip for anyone wanting to try a road 100km

AS There is a genuine buzz around 100km again with more people showing an interest. What advice would you give someone wanting to have go at 100k on the road?

CT As someone who had run most of their ultras on trails, you really have to get used to time on your feet on tarmac. When it comes to the race, the early pace feels so easy, and it so easy to get carried away. At Perth my coach Marcus, who was helping me, kept shouting at me to slow down in the early laps!

AS Thanks for your time and good luck in Berlin.

CT Thank you.

You can read about the Sri Chinmoy 100km race at Perth which was the trial for the world 100km Championships in Berlin HERE

The event website for the world 100km championships in Berlin is HERE

PLEASE SHARE!

If your inspired by this or think someone else you know will be , please do what you have to do by way of sharing, signing up to the mail or RSS feed or leaving a comment below. You all know how these things work by now :-)You can also follow me on twitter and insta @tarittweets