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This article was written last year, after Leonid Shvetsov’s brilliant performance at the ultra marathon Comrades. Running almost completely solo, he smashed the previously untouchable course record that has stood for 21 years. But the article is relevant even today, after the new success of our former Russian national marathon record holder…
There are people, athletes included, that stop after significant accomplishments and start basking in their glory. But there also others, who continue to surprise us, taking on new challenges and achieving new heights.
Without a doubt, our current national marathon record holder Leonid Shvetsov, belongs to the second category. Just very recently, he set a new course record at the most prestigious ultra marathon Comrades in South Africa (89.3km), breaking the old record that has stood for 21 years.
However, a little earlier, still in the spring, it was quite a surprise to many that Leonid played a role in a fantastic marathon time achieved by Alexander Kuzin in Lintz (2:07:33) – the second fastest result in post-Soviet times. He coached the Ukranian and made his talent shine in a new light. Many then concluded that Leonid has moved on to coaching.
But it wasn’t his intention to “hang his trainers on the wall”. He remained an active coach, while carefully preparing himself to the serious test of Comrades since December.
I'm sure it would be very interesting now to hear Leonid's impressions after the race. The new Comrades' record holder landed in his native Saratov only few hours ago, and his internal charge hardly reminded of the difficult distance he just completed.
- Leonid, first of all, congratulations from your fans and our site www.runners.ru on such remarkable result. It would be interesting to know, what was your attitude towards the race and whether everything has worked as planned?
- Thank you, I'm glad that I didn't dissapoint my relatives, friends and fans. As for the attitude, I can say that I was planning a record from the beginning, because I had a very good idea about the course (Leonid has run his Comrades debut in 2001, finishing second - author's note) and all the difficulties I would face battling other competitors. However, for the record to take place, it is important that all the contributing factors work in combination. This time, everything came together - my form, the right pace, and undoubtedly, good fortune. And so I was able to realize my dreams.
- How did the race unfold? Did you have any problems?
- As I said, from the very beginning Grigoriy Murzin (Grigoriy finished second) and I started leading at a very decent pace. This gave us hope for a very good outcome. Halfway through the race, when I started calculating possible finishing time, I broke clear and started increasing my lead, all the while staying in control. I can say that I was trying to maintain even pace as much as possible, around 35 min. for each 10 km. Only my last 10 km was a little slower.
- Leonid, coming back to your second place in 2001 in this race, did you change anything in your preparation or did you use a similar plan?
- I can say that speed-wise, I was training even slower than before, but I was paying more attention to my functional form. Also, I emphasized downhill running, as there are many elevation changes at Comrades.
- Would you say, then, that marathon preparation differs significantly from preparation for the ultra distances?
- There are some small differences, but they are a lot less than, let's say, between preparations for the 10K and the marathon.
- Leonid, as a coach, do you still see potential in yourself?
- Absolutely. I can say that I am still far from reaching my limit. Many people are asking now, is it possible for me to run 100km world record? To be honest, I'm not interested in that. There will be more impact if I win and set a record at Comrades, which is what I was trying to achieve.
- So, does it follow that now you will concentrate on ultra distance exclusively? Or will we still see you in marathons?
- I will definitely race one or two marathons a year, even while preparing for Comrades.
- Does it mean that you are now thinking about the record in the opposite direction? (Comrades course goes from Durban to Pitermaritzburg, changing direction every year- author's note).
- Why not? As I said, I do not feel that I reached my limits and I know how to achieve my goal in such difficult distance.
- Leonid, now you are the record holder in two distances: national record holder in the marathon and record holder at the most prestigious ultra race. Which record do you think is more important to you?
(We would like to note, that today, Leonid Shvetsov has the status of Russian ex-record holder in the marathon, due to the fact that his student, Alexey Sokolov, broke his record by 9 seconds earlier this year at the spring marathon in Dublin (Ireland). Now this record is equal to 2:09:07 - author's note.)
- Without a doubt - marathon record at the Olympic distance, this is the record of the entire country, and such a huge country.
Although it is very rewarding to beat such long standing (since 1986) and seemingly untouchable record at Comrades.
- Leonid, there are impressive records among your achievements, participation in the most important competitions - Olympic games, European and World Championships, big victories. You have also become a successful coach. What motivates you the most?
- Actually, I already mentioned somewhere, that recently, I have been drawn to coaching. I like sharing my experience (Leonid has his own forum at www.runners.ru - author's note), and I'm already seeing some real results in the great achievements of my students. So my plans are not only about my own performances, but also about preparations of athletes in my care.
-Leonid, once again, congratulations on a great victory and good luck in all your endeavours!
-Thank you.
And now we have received a message from South Africa, saying that Leonid again won convincingly at Comrades, and again set the course record with the time of 5:24:49. Thus, our heralded athlete is now the "complete" record holder of this most prestigious ultra marathon, owning records at the "down" and "up" runs.
From: Viktor Zhdanov www.runners.ru
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