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Yamamoto Ready to Tackle 100-Corner Marathon Course With Irregular Pacing

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2012/08/12/kiji/K20120812003885720.html

translated by Brett Larner

To prepare himself to tackle the 100+ corner London Olympic marathon course, Ryo Yamamoto (28, Team Sagawa Express) has avoided steady-pace training and instead focused on running in a shifting-pace style, matching his rhythm to the demands of the terrain.  A three-loop route through the heart of the city, the Olympic marathon course is said to have 100 corners.  "In Sugadaira I did a lot of cross-country training, and in both my speedwork and my long runs I focused on changing the pace," he said, showing confidence in the outcome of his training since June, which included periodic visits to view the course.

Yamamoto's monthly mileage has been around 1200 km, the same as before this year's Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon where he earned his place at the Olympics.  "It won't be easy, but I'm aiming for the top eight," he said.  "Whenever I have the chance I'll be aiming to move up in the field."  When he ran Lake Biwa Yamamoto was only looking at it as a step toward making next year's World Championships team, but having unexpectedly made the Olympics he is now ready to take a serious shot on the biggest stage of them all.
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