Detroit, MI

Brian Sell has been turning in great performances almost every time he toes the line in the past couple of years. Ever since the Olympic Trials where he finished well off the leaders after leading for most of the race, Brian has been in the spotlight. After becoming the US Half Marathon champ this past January, Sell started training with his teammates for the Boston Marathon. Sell finished 4th in a personal best time of 2:10:55, over a 2 minute improvement.

RM: How did you feel about your training leading up to Boston?

BS: I was very unsure of myself.  My workouts were not going as well as before Helsinki, and Clint was destroying me on long runs with fast miles in the middle.  I didn't know what to expect as my mileage was higher this time, but I just didn't quite feel as strong.

RM: How were your nerves the couple days leading up to the race?

BS: It was on and off.  I was able to not think about the race at all for a good bit of the time, but when I did, I would begin shaking and sweating like crazy.  We had a good bit of stuff to do before the race (my parents, in laws, and wife was there) so that helped.

RM: At what point in the race did you feel like things were going to start going your way and why?

BS: I didn't know until about two miles to go that I was even in the top 10 really.  There was a huge pack that had been out of sight since about 6k and I hadn't passed too many guys, so I figured today was the day that a bunch of guys were going to run world records since it was a cool day.

RM: What are you thoughts on your place and finishing time? Are they close to what you thought they would be?

BS: I feel bad that I out kicked Alan, I wish it would have been another Kenyan, but I was pretty happy.  I would have liked to go out with the leaders, but when I found out they went through half marathon in my half marathon PR, I think I ran how I should have.  I felt pretty solid the whole way through and you can't complain about a a two and a half minute PR.

RM: What did you think of the entire Boston atmosphere and do you see yourself going back to run it again?

BS: It was amazing.  Through the hills, when your quads are really screaming, the crowd is so loud.  They really keep you going, you sort of ride a wave of adrenaline the whole way to the finish, its great.

Thanks for the great interview Brian! (Interview conducted by Nick Cordes)