Interview: Ahead of the 2015 Virgin Money London Marathon we spoke to race favourite Mary Keitany
Photos © Lee Mills
While Kenya’s fabulous quartet will not be running #handinhand for 26.2 miles, are there plans for the four of you to work together to break the World Record for a women's only marathon, or will you be running your own race from the beginning?
We are a fantastic four, but I will always run my own race, using my own training and the fantastic crowds to drive me towards the finish line. The rest of the field are very talented runners so it will be a tough race where I’ll need to be at my best.
Have the four of you trained together in Kenya?
No we don’t tend to train together; I have my group who I train with in Iten. I have competed in races against the others and we don’t train that far apart but I have my own setup. It helps to compete against these other great athletes.
How has motherhood changed your approach to training and racing?
Being a mother and also an athlete is not always easy, but if you are disciplined I firmly believe that one doesn’t need to compromise the other. Yes you will be very busy, but you have to just pace yourself and set the right balance. I have had the support of family to be able to make sure I can train as hard as I need to so they help me make it possible.
How does it feel to be back in London?
I really like racing in London. The city is special to me with the great crowds and a course where I have had some of my greatest success. Winning in 2011 and 2012 stand out as career highlights for me so whenever I come here I remember those wins. However, I need to be focused on the race ahead and make sure that I can give it my very best on Sunday.
What would be the ideal conditions for you?
For me I would like it to be slightly colder than it has been during the week in the build up to the race. Around 12 degrees with some cloud but no wind would be ideal conditions. It would also help the race if there was no rain.
You ran a 66.02 half marathon in February, so are obviously in great shape. What marathon time to you think you are capable of if everything goes to plan?
I feel very good in the build up to this race. Training has been going well and I feel ready for Sunday. I don’t have a particular time in mind as there are so many factors that can affect this. My focus is to just make sure I run the very best I can and that way I give myself a chance. As long as I finish on Sunday knowing that I’ve given my all then I’ll be happy.
Mary Keitany will be running VMLM 2015 in the adidas adizero adios Boost, the choice of the world's fastest marathon runners. Share your marathon stories using #boostlondon
