Marathon Talk Episode 19: Gerda Steyn

Spectators of Gerda Steyn’s Comrades run were treated to five hours, 44 minutes and 54 seconds of pure athletic prowess, and a brand new course record…

This week on Marathon Talk, as we round up some of the standout stories and blistering times from the running world, we’re fortunate to have a fascinating discussion with the South African!

Tune into episode 19, as we also illustrate the art of the benchmark run, and learn why meeting your heroes isn’t always all that it’s cracked up to be.

In this episode of Marathon Talk‍

• 0:00 - We get things started with a look at the art of the benchmark session, and being a parent to an athletic child
• 11:20 - Rounding up the latest from the stellar Comrades Marathon, remarkable course records, world-beating times, technology revolutionizing the Diamond League, and much more
• 30:45 - A fascinating interview with Gerda Steyn, an incredible athlete whose electric performance in South Africa set a new Comrades course record
• 1:03:30 - We close out with a story about Arnold Schwarzenegger that backs up why you should never meet your heroes…

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Listen links:
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Episode highlights

“A benchmarking session is a feedback session, I’m after how it’s going. That’s what I’m seeking from the review of the session, it gives you something to go forwards from, ultimately.” - 5:05 - Martin Yelling 

“The lights, from the perspective of someone sitting at home watching on their computer, to me was awesome. I didn't have to wait for the 400 metre split to see if these world record attempts were on pace or not. As a fan, it kept me super engaged.” - 21:45 - Deena Kastor 

“As far as the style of racing, I think there's a lot more feeling-out in the beginning stages of championship races, because they typically are not catered to fast racing. It's a lot of looking around, getting your bearings and assessing how you feel.” - 27:15 - Deena Kastor 

“Comrades is known for crowd support, it feels like there’s support from the first kilometer up until the last gate. But it’s only when you reach the stadium that you realise the intensity.” - 35:10 - Gerda Steyn

“Going for the record, when you’re literally on the start line, or just after it and you feel good, only then is when I could start thinking about a real time.” - 38:05 - Gerda Steyn

“Now that I have the down record to my name, that doesn’t mean I’m 100% content and satisfied. I’d still want to come back and try to improve on both the up and down records.” - 51:10 - Gerda Steyn

More

• Check out Gerda's beer-drinking prowess here
• Learn more about Comrades here
• Find out more about the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon here
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Episode keywords
Marathon talk, abbott world marathon majors, marathon running, distance running, endurance marathon, marathon training, endurance training, six star finisher, comrades marathon, gerda steyn, comrades marathon record, diamond league,

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