German Silva
How has your training been going this summer and fall? Are you ready for the race?

Yes, I am ready.

Yes, I did train very well. Well, my work, I have already done. This week I will rest, but I will still training, maybe tomorrow some speed work, but I already make my preparation. I consider it was very good.

What kind of mileage have you been averaging?

How many miles a week in general? I can say in kilometers, I think in all my preparations for the marathon, I take 10 weeks and I run in total 2,500 kilometers.

It's about 220 kilometers a week, 230. And I think I have done the same kilometers as the last year, but just this year I think it was more quality, I can say more quality and I even feel better than last year.

Two times a week I have done speed work, but long. On Saturday, one time a week, I have done 30 kilometers, a little bit more than two hours. I had very hard training, very busy weeks. So I should rest only on Sundays, by training one time on Saturday and Sunday, and the rest of the time two times a day.

What is the hardest workout you have done in the last six months?

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Well, the most hard part was the volcano in Toluca. I think was 4,000 meters in altitude. It was on one time a week, long running in altitude, like 23 kilometers. But, you know it is very hard because it is just up, uphill all the time climbing to the volcano.

You know, well, you know I think many people know that because for the altitude your muscles don't have oxygen and it is more hard to train. I think for me, for me sometimes it is even more hard than in the marathon. Because for the course we use for training, it is just up, up, up all the time. I think we don't have any time to rest during the training and that makes the training hard. That's why we do one time a week, that. Sometimes I feel when I was training in this course I feel even hard than in the marathon because in the marathon we have time to rest a little bit during the race, we have flat course and sometimes flat, and in the beginning you are warming up and you just have to concentrate during the last 10 kilometers. I think it is the part of the marathon where really the marathon starts.

What is your prediction for the race? Will you repeat?

You know every marathon for me is different. I would like to run a good time but I prefer to try to win again. I would be very happy if I win again. The time can be consequence of the race. Maybe the race can be fast if the weather is nice, if the weather is good. I would like to win again. And if I win with a fast time, it will be a consequence of the intention to win, but I will try.

I am not someone to just wait for the end and not do something. I will try and do something.

Do you find that racing with your countrymen makes you run better? Do you help each other out? Will you be running alongside any fellow Mexicans this year?

We help each other because, you know, it is not the same when you are training alone and you have to take care of everything. When we are training, for example, I don't have to worry about that I have always to push in making laps. We help each other in this way, because one time one is responsible ... to make the pace and when we are five, everyone makes the pace for one repetition.

For example, when we are do one-thousands, everyone make one thousand and the rest are behind, and it is more relaxed for you and the training. Everything you accumulate, the good, the training. And this way you training hard and you don't spend too much. Also in the psychological ways, it is better because you feel you are resting. And also when we make a long training, we go together and just talking because, talking about something because it is a little bit bored to run a little bit alone.

We are running together with two Mexicans more--and I think they are in good shape--Isaac Garcia and Jorge Marquez. I think we will have someone to push the pace to the half-marathon. We don't talk yet about times but I would like to pass maybe to pass about one hour, four-thirty the first half, or maybe one hour four. We have to see the weather also, how it is Sunday. And according to the weather we can predict and do something. But anyway, again, for me it is important to try to win again.

Are you still coached by Rodolfo Gomez?

He will be here maybe on the weekend. Still I am training with him and with a group.

Since you took that wrong turn last year, have you studied the race's route?

Well, I have been two or three weeks before here. And I was exactly at the point where I made the mistake, and this time I know very well the course.

What do you do on race morning?

I just, well, eat something in the morning to have something in the stomach, and I just think.

[From] the beginning of my preparation, I was training for the marathon. I think the most big, the most hard part is the just the preparation--the training, the weeks you have to train before.

Are you confident?

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I think, everything now I have done. I can't do anything more. Just in the psychological way, to be in balance, and well to motivate for something, like thinking about your family, or thinking about your goals or this kind of thing.

Tegla Loroupe
How has your training been going this summer and fall?

My training was going well; compared to last year, it is better.

What mileage have you been averaging?

Forty kilometers a day.

What is the hardest workout you have done in the last six months?

Speed work on a track.

Who have you been training with?

Training with Simon Lopuyet (of Kenya) and (fellow Bokot tribesman) Joyce Chepchumba . . . and they are doing good work for me.

Actually, in the side for women, this time it is very competitive. Machado is there and Olga Appell so I think the race will be competitive.

What is your prediction for the race? Will you repeat?

I will try my best, cannot say I will repeat it. If it will happen, then maybe.

Do you think you will improve on last year's time, weather permitting?

Yes.

Are you aiming for a specific time? If so, what is it?

Probably, maybe I will run my personal time. If the conditions will allow.

What is your strategy going to be? Is there a certain point at which you intend to make a move?

Actually, I will know by Saturday night.

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Actually the conditions are not bad. Last year I did not have enough experience and also the course, I was not familiar. But this time I think I will have a chance. And I have advantage also because I know the course.

After last year's race, you said, "I didn't start very fast ... but if I had started with the other people [who went out faster] I think I would have improved my time." Do you intend to start faster this year?

Actually, this year I don't think I'll do it like last year. But I'll run according to the time I've prepared. Okay, maybe I will start a little bit faster.

Have the people at home become accustomed to your running, or are they still surprised? How would you characterize their reaction?

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Actually, they were so surprised also. And they were encouraged because after long, how can I say, after long discouragement they saw I was persistent in my training and so, they say that we have to give me more support.

They encouraged and also not to lose hope when the such a circumstance like me.

And your goals for the coming months?

Actually, I want to do something better in Atlanta, maybe in 10,000 [meters].