Spikes25 Feb 2015


Words of Wisdom – Eliud Kipchoge

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Eliud Kipchoge

Former 5000m world champion, Olympic medallist and 2014 Chicago Marathon winner Eliud Kipchoge boasts a proud and long career in the sport. The Kenyan shares his words of wisdom with SPIKES.

1. Be optimistic

“Training at an elite level for athletics demands lots of energy. Sometimes no matter how hard you have trained you may suffer defeat or setbacks.

“This should not be discouragement, as tomorrow is another day. If you lead an optimistic life, you will overcome any setback and enjoy the world of sport. Patience and optimism are very important.”

 

 
Eliud Kipchoge

Over 5000m, Kipchoge has won world champs gold (2003) and silver (2007); and Olympic silver (2008) and bronze (2004).

2. Plan and prepare

“Planning starts with my family, as I empower them to cope with this demanding career. Secondly, I plan with my coach about my training. And thirdly thorough my management company.

“I quickly discovered how much more smoothly the sport started to be when I became more planned and organised.

“Planning is important in that it allows me as an athlete to concentrate fully on training and it allows me to be totally focused on future races.”

 

 
Eliud Kipchoge

Kipchoge won the Chicago Marathon last year in 02:04:11. His 2:04.05 PB was set in Berlin in 2013.

3. Be humble

“I am always gracious in defeat because athletics is a social and peaceful sport‎. If you refuse to accept defeat, this will hamper career development.

“When I am competing at a championship, or any race, I have the confidence to believe I am the best athlete. But if I do not win, I will not waste energy dwelling on the defeat. I totally accept it and move on.”