Eric Gillis finished 33rd in the Olympic 10000 Meter Final yesterday in Beijing. Gillis was well positioned for the first half of the race, roughly on personal best pace. However, as the race progress he began to fade. After the race he commented to Guelph Mercury "I got to 5K feeling great but then I just started to fall back," he said. "I couldn't pull it together. I felt really lethargic. I don't know what it was. I've been training for this for a while. Once I started to drop back, it was just a viscous cycle. I just went back and back and back."
For Gillis this race was always about gaining important international experience as he builds towards the 2012 games in London. Although, the result was not what he had hoped for he put the race in perspective in futher comments to the Mercury "I put myself in a position to run well and it didn't happen," he said. "Coming here and being a part of the team and putting in a good work ethic while I'm here is a positive. I got to meet a lot of great people. Part of me is really disappointed and part of me is proud that I showed up thinking I was going to run well. I wouldn't have done that if I didn't think I was prepared."
Gillis' race brings to a close a tremendous summer for the Speed River Track and Field club which included four national titles, seven club records and the club's first two Olympians.
Article from Guelph Mercury.
Article on Guelph Runners Brunch to cheer on Gillis from Guelph Mercury.
Know someone else who's interested in running and triathlon?
