Lisa Weightman – RT Interview Post Commonwealth Games

Congrats on your bronze medal

What were you hoping for going into the Comm Games?

Thanks Runners Tribe!  I was so pleased and so relieved when the race was over.  I went into the event hoping for a medal.  I would've loved to have followed in Kerryn's footsteps and brought home the Gold, but I had some tough African opponents who tried hard to drop me on many occasions.  I fought back many times, but they were just too strong in the conditions.  To win a bronze medal at the Games means the world to me.  It represents so much to me, my coach Dick Telford, my family, my friends and my support network who have taken the journey with me!  It is hard to imagine I've trained half my life for that medal!

How was your training going into the race?

My training was exceptional in the lead up to my PB at Gold Coast half.  I then started doing sessions in the VIS Heat Chamber and picked up a sinus infection which took a month to finally disappear.  I also had some adductor soreness and quad soreness, but I think that is part of the marathon preparation.  When you push yourself in training you can't expect to be a million dollars and if you are (like the lead up to Nagano) you bottle it !!  Key thing is to be able to get the consistent miles done and listen to your body when it cries out for help!

What were your non-race experiences of India like?

Michael Shelley and I spent two weeks (including the first week of the Games) in Cairns/Palm Cove with Dick, his wife Sue, my husband Lachlan, sister Jodi and nephew Thomas.  The conditions were perfect for acclimatisation and we managed to fit in an afternoon with the crocodiles too!  When we arrived in India we didn't leave the village until we got on the bus for the race.  It was all a bit surreal to be honest as there wasn't a spectator in sight. 

That afternoon we took a trip to the Closing Ceremony and received our medals at the stadium.  Apart from the airport that's about all we got to see.  Many laps later of the village in the lead up...that was our Delhi experience!

Complete focus on the reason we were there...to bring home some medals!

How did the race go for you?

The first 15k was like jogging.  I was happy to move out of the way as they had their fall and fight early on.  I wasn't about to get involved in all that hoo haa!  I didn't have a time in mind, in fact I didn't know what time I'd ran until later that afternoon when I checked my garmin!  The constant surging and team tactics by the Kenyans were a lot harder in the polluted and hot climate, but it was a race which taught me so much.  I was not prepared to give in...my motto 'nothing beats persistence' got me a medal!

You came through the field well, did you have an eye on a medal the entire time?

I had not thought about coming anything but a podium finish for the entire race.  I would've been devastated to miss out on a medal.  I wasn't prepared to settle.  I was even hoping that once I passed the girl in third at the later stages of the race that I'd be able to catch first and second.

But that wasn't to be.  All you can do in that situation is try your little heart out.  It was funny running next to the winner as her legs came up to my bib number!!  I know how small I am, but gee I felt small next to her!  ;)

At any time did you think you were closing in on the gold?

Quite a few times, but they surged again every time.  That's racing and I am a better person in general life and in sport for the experience.  So many people saw the race and have told me they just don't know how I do it and also why I do it to myself.  They do say it smiling of course after feeling proud.  I just can't describe why, only a marathon runner can understand why, it is internal.  I wasn't going to give up on my pursuit that day as it meant so much to me to know that whatever happened I did everything I could under the circumstances.

I later found out that the winner ran her PB in Nairobi so it explains her talent.  She should go on to run a quick marathon at her next race if it is in more “friendly” marathon conditions.  Hopefully no one gets in her way at the water stations!!!

You've run through the field a number of times in your last major Championships, is that a conscious strategy?

It was in Berlin.  It was very hot in Berlin also, late 20s.  I did so in Beijing as I was very new to the event and Athletics Australia had put their faith in me in selecting me so I didn't want to hit the wall.  London was just a time trial to get the Olympic Qualifier.  With Nagano I ran to win.  I was in fantastic shape and had only thoughts of Gold.  It was a funny experience to be honest as I said to Lachlan after the race, at no stage did we ever discuss anything but winning a medal.  I guess that tells you how important confidence is in sport. 

My plan for every marathon I run now will be to test myself, take a risk and if I meet the wall then so be it.  There isn't time now for safety first and Dick and I have learnt so much in the last 2 years about what I am capable of.

What's it been like for you since the marathon?

My family and friends have been wonderful.  I have received hundreds of Facebook and Twitter posts and numerous emails from IBM and ANZ colleagues. I finally returned every one of them!  I even got recognised at a restaurant bathroom and was let ahead in the queue which was a new experience!!

My supporters adidas, Ascend and IBM have been fantastic.  I had lunch with the Ascend team last week and they are like my family!  Everyone knows how much this medal means to me and I am just so glad everyone can share in the experience and excitement.

Have you gotten any more recognition?

I don't run for fame, I run for 3 reasons. I love getting the best out of myself. I love to be fit and healthy, and I know I can have an impact on women and girls in sport (men too hopefully!). 

Sam Maxwell and I have set up my new web site at www.lisaweightman.com and we hope to launch a few offerings of assistance to marathoners or distance runners looking for training, guidance and support. (A small plug, but sign up to my newsletter and we’ll send you the details!! - http://www.lisaweightman.com/newsletter)

I enjoy speaking to groups which is something I have started doing in an official capacity.  I hope I can share my experiences with others and be remembered in Sport for the positive impact I make by example.  That's all the recognition I need.

Are you back into training?

Hmm...depends what you classify as training.  Lachlan has been suffering with Osteitis Pubis for 6 weeks and a stress reaction in his pelvis so we both had 2 straight weeks off after the race (he had 4 prior) and now we're running 30-45mins per day.  We'll graduate to an hour and keep progressing as the weeks go forward.  I am not rushing the return as I don't have time to get back for Zatopek so I will just let the body work back into full training for the 2011 year!

What's your plans for the next year or two, heading towards London 2012?

Next year is all about getting the Olympic Qualifier for the marathon and running and racing fast in preparation for the tactics which may present themselves at the Olympic Games.  2 flat and fast marathons in April and October will slot in perfectly.  Lac and I are really excited about 2011 as we have some exciting things planned.

For more news and information about Weightman and her thoughts on the Commonwealth Games, read her blog (http://www.lisaweightman.com/category/blog) or visit her photo page (http://www.lisaweightman.com/gallery) on her website (http://www.lisaweightman.com/)