Connecting with a Global Community: Reddit AMA Highlights
Ahead of the event, Kiplimo also connected with runners from around the world in an ‘Ask Me Anything (AMA)’ session on Reddit’s r/Marathon_Training subreddit. Below are some of the key insights into his training philosophy and practical advice.
Q. When you get tired around mile 20, what are you telling yourself in your head that helps you push through to the end?
A. It can get very tough and tiring, I will admit. In those moments, I try to stay calm and not to think too far ahead. My piece of advice that I always try and do is to break the race into smaller parts and focus keeping my rhythm. I remind myself that I’ve prepared for this and to just do the best I can.
Q. What methods/advice do you have for staying injury free?
A. You must listen to your body, always, always, always! Recovery is one of the most important things for me. Good sleep, taking a rest when I need it, and not forcing myself to train when something feels wrong. Core exercises and working on details also help me avoid injury, the more I exercise, the more I can avoid injury during my training or during the race.
Q. How often do you run easy runs, and how important do you think they are for increasing overall pace?
A. Easy runs are a big part of my training. Even if they do not feel important in the moment, they are what allows me to stay consistent over time. If you push too hard every day, it becomes difficult to improve. It depends on the time, but usually three days a week, in the morning and evening to help me recover and build endurance.
Q. Have you noticed a big change in the science and training methodology in your career?
A. I have, of course, seen changes over time. There’s more focus now on understanding the body, which can be helpful when you’re training for a long time. For me, the basics are still the most important. Nothing will beat consistence, discipline, and good training habits, but it’s good to have new tools to balance things out. Of course, marathon training is different than track or short distance, you have to change your body because the reaction will be different depending on your training.
Q. What is your biggest goal for the foreseeable future?
A. I always like to have something to work towards. For me, I’m always focused on how I can continue to improve and see how far I can push myself, there’s always a new level to reach. At the same time, I try not to look too far ahead and just focus on doing the next race as well as I can.
