News & Releases >> 2003 >> Sep 02 2003
NEWS Sep 02 2003
PRESS RELEASE - September 2nd, 2003
Nicole Stevenson To Defend Title As Top-Class Marathoning Returns To Toronto After More Than A Decade
SCOTIABANK TORONTO WATERFRONT MARATHON, 28 September 2003
An interview with Nicole by Alan Brookes
With a little over 4 weeks to go, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on September 28th, is shaping up to be the best, most-competitive marathon Toronto has seen in more than a decade.
The event is delighted to confirm that Nicole Stevenson, one of the country's best, up-and-coming women's marathoners, will head-up the women's field. Last year's winner, Nicole ran a stellar 2:36:57 marathon debut on a hot, humid day on the Waterfront. This year, with the flat, fast Waterfront event being staged 2 weeks later, she is expecting cooler weather and better running conditions.
Nicole also has another year's experience behind her—a year packed with strong performances and new personal bests, like that run at the prestigious Crim 10 Miler in Flint, Michigan last Sunday.
INTERVIEW:
AB: Congrats on a fine run at the Crim 10 miler on Sunday [August 24th]! Great splits! And only 35 seconds behind Anastasia Ndereba [younger sister of former world record holder, and winner of 2003 World Championships Marathon, Catherine Ndereba. Anastasia has a marathon PR of 2:29:25 from Turin last year]! Does that mean you'll run 2:30?
NS: No guarantees, but I'm aiming for a super-PB on the 28th at the Toronto Waterfront.
AB: How was the Crim race for you?
NS: I went into the race feeling discouraged, as my body had been rebelling on me for about 12 days, with extreme fatigue and lethargy. I was not expecting to have a great day at the Crim, but obviously my fitness was there and I was able to score a personal best by 40 seconds.
AB: How did the race go for you, mile by mile?
NS: Last year I finished 6th in 56:02. This year I was 10th in 55:20. To sum it up, STACKED field! But what an opportunity for me to run with these star runners! Most notably, there was my former rival, Kathy Butler, who now competes for the UK in the track 5,000m. I think I was the only marathoner in the top ten, with most of the other girls training for 5k, 10k and 1/2's. Coach Hugh Cameron thought I had a solid run, especially considering the marathon work I've been doing, neglecting a lot of speed work. I could tell I was the marathoner of the group because I "got my legs" at about the 6 mile mark and passed a few women and men. My 1/2 split was close to even with my end result.
AB: What are your thoughts coming off the Crim?
NS: My workout last night proved that I've come back in close to full form, 3 days after Crim. What I really need now is 3 weeks of encouraging training. Half of this marathon game relies on confidence, and I need to build that up with some sharpening work so that I'm thoroughly convinced I can reach my goals at Waterfront.
AB: How are your preps coming for Waterfront? I hear you had a good long run 2 weeks before Crim..?
NS: I had an AWESOME tempo run on Aug 11. 35km with an average of 3:45/km. That works out to ~2:38 marathon pace, by myself, out in the Holland Marsh with Dave and Hugh in the van behind me, calling out each km split. I was fighting some emotional demons that day, which always makes me push a little harder. That run proved that I am ready for a great marathon in a few weeks. I can't thank Dave and Hugh enough for all their time and support!
AB: Any trials and tribulations that ordinary runners would relate to?
NS: We all suffer from trials and tribulations, runners or not. I'm trying to brush aside some personal issues and want to really focus on the marathon - and the marathon only - for the next 4+ weeks. I'm fortunate that my legs are holding up pretty well, with few aches and pains, so I have no worry in that regard. Runners need to be selfish in the last few weeks before a marathon. It's crucial that they take the time and energy to think positively, rest plenty, eat well and avoid distractions. I have it easy - no husband or kids, so I have no excuse to neglect these areas!!!
AB: How is work [busy]? How do you fit your training in?
NS: My work is steady but, as a sales rep, I create my own schedule. I work out on Wed/Fri morning at the Institute for Sports Medicine in Etobicoke with some girls, then go for a run those evenings. Tues/Thur evenings are reserved for interval training. My weekends are filled with a long run, maybe a bike ride and lots of rest and nutrition (and socializing of course! no one should neglect that!) I am able to focus on work during work hours, but when it's time to run, all my mental energy is set on training for the Waterfront Marathon.
AB: How much training are you doing this week/now/next 4 weeks?
NS: Through the summer, I've averaged 120-140km/week. This includes 1-2 interval sessions, 1 long run and easy runs in between. I will keep that up until about 10 days before the marathon. I recently read that Sandy Jacobson has been powering through 125 MILES/wk for 6 weeks for the World Champs marathon. Personally, I can't handle that mileage at this stage, but I don't seem to need it to run well. Every year I will try to bump up my average a little but I've never been a mileage hound.
AB: What do you hope to run at STWM?
NS: I don't want to jinx myself, so sorry, but I'll have to be a little
vague! Definitely improve on my PB from last year: 2:36:57 and hope for
the low 2:30
range.
AB: What is your most favourite workout/run? What is your favourite running route?
NS: My favourite run is a relaxed 2 hours, preferably with friends. I wouldn't have said that two years ago, when I was running 10k's! But I've grown very fond of the long, steady distance thing! This spring, I moved to the west end to be closer to my coach and training grounds. I'm really enjoying the trails in High Park and the Humber River route. However, I also miss Moore Park and the Don Valley. We have so many great running routes in TO!
AB: What is your LEAST favourite?
NS: I just love running, so I don't have a least favourite workout or run. My least favourite season of running is the entire winter. I love heat (not that you can tell from my pale skin!) and really, really dislike running in negative degree weather. I'm already thinking of where I should go for next year's winter training break. This year I stayed in Toronto, when I really should have headed out west or south to get away from the weather.
AB: Thanks, Nick, and best of luck the next 4 weeks, and on the 28th of course!
RUNNING BIO for 2003
Jan - 2nd place - San Diego 1/2 marathon 1:14:09
Mar - 1st place - Grimsby 1/2 marathon 1:17 (training run)
Mar - 1st place - Around the Bay 5km 16:51
Apr - 7th place - Cherry Blossom 10-miler (Washington, DC) 56:29
May - 1st place - Sporting Life 10km 32:55 **PB
May - 2nd place - Ottawa Marathon 2:39
Jun - 2nd place – Scotiabank Vancouver 1/2 Marathon 1:12:51 **PB
Jul - 1st place – Powerbar Rock'n'Roll 5km 15:54 **PB
Jul - 1st place - Subaru 4-miler (Buffalo) 21:10
Aug - 10th place - Crim 10-miler (Flint) 55:20 **PB
Further information: Alan Brookes, Race Director, 416 464 7437 [alnbrookes@aol.com];
or Coach Dave Reid, Technical Director of Toronto Waterfront, 416 543 4321