Sep 13, 2007
Kyle O'Brien - Hanson Brooks/Saturn ODP Views- 617

RM: Congrats on making the World Championships in Japan. When did you know you made the team? What was it like to be selected to represent the US of A?

KO: Thanks. We were informed towards the end of April that we had been selected. We were fairly sure a little while before that, but it was nice once it was official. It was really special to be selected for the team, wearing the USA singlet is something that I have always dreamed of.

RM: What things did you do to acclimate yourself to the conditions? How much different did you have to train for this marathon than you have in the past?

KO: We really tried to get used to running in uncomfortable conditions. Whether that meant doing it during the hottest part of the day, or with long sleeves on during the summer, or just with a full stomach from overdoing it with fluids, we knew those would all come into play on race day. The basic philosophy was still the same, we did make sure we were able to drink 8-10 oz of fluids at a time during practice though, usually 25-35 oz throughout the course of a workout.

RM: How did the race unfold? Did it play out the way you had planned for it to? (Kyle Finished 32nd in 2:28:28)

KO: Basically yes, the plan was to race to the conditions. We knew a lot of people would be dying out there because of the weather. We just wanted to be in the right position to pick people off. We both faded as well, but were still able to stay competitive and keep passing people right up to the end.

RM: If you could run the race again, what would you change? In other words, what did you learn from the race?

KO: The only thing I would change would be going out even more conservative. We learned how brutal the heat and humidity could be. Going out a little slower would have meant being able to come back even faster, and ultimately passing a few more people.

RM: With the Olympic Trials only a few months down the road, what are you going to do to get ready for it? What goals do you have for yourself at the Trials?

KO: Right now I'm just focusing on recovery and easing back into the mileage and workouts. I have a great base to work with right now, so it is all a matter of getting my legs back under me. As far as the Trials go, with the right recovery I think it is very realistic to look for a top 10-15 finish.

Stevo says~

Is this the famous runner from Danville?
I heard he is the town HERO! They made a billboard of him?
I think this is a real picture.
http://www.hansons-running.com/images/kyle_billboard.jpg