This previous weekend, on the IAU 24-Hour European Championships, Lithuania’s Aleksandr Sorokin broke his personal world file, operating 319.614 kilometers/198.599 miles. His common tempo labored out at 7:15 per mile or 4:30 per kilometer for twenty-four straight hours. He went about 10 kilometers over his personal earlier better of 309.400 kilometers/192.252 miles from the 2021 UltraPark Weekend 24 Hour race in Poland on August 28 and 29, 2021.
We just lately interviewed Sorokin, again in April 2022, when he broke the 100-kilometer world file in a time of 6:05:41. Then he informed us about his background in sport — as a Lithuanian champion kayaker, earlier than a shoulder damage ended his profession at age 25, and he finally discovered operating later in life.
We caught up with him once more this week within the aftermath of his newest record-breaking run. Learn what he has to say about it right here.
Aleksandr Sorokin. Picture courtesy of Aleksandr Sorokin.
iRunFar: How are you? We final interviewed you after you broke the 100-kilometer world file again in April. How has your coaching been since that? I noticed you raced 5,000 meters. How was that? Have you ever been doing extra speedwork within the final block of coaching?
Aleksandr Sorokin: Earlier than the 100k, I did extra speedwork than earlier than this race. However there weren’t many variations within the coaching plan, perhaps simply extra mileage. Sure, I raced 5,000 meters, however it was like coaching and I didn’t put together for it as a race.
iRunFar: What number of kilometers per week had been you getting in on the peak of this coaching block?
Sorokin: 300 to 370k per week.
iRunFar: With this race being the IAU 24-Hour European Championships, you had been representing your nation in addition to your self. Does that really feel totally different or particular in comparison with a standard race? Is there added strain?
Sorokin: Sure, this race was the primary race of the yr, and for certain I felt extra strain. However this helps me to coach higher.
iRunFar: How did you are feeling going into the race?
Sorokin: Till 12 hours, every part was okay. However after that I actually suffered, as a result of my operating ways had been unhealthy; I started too quick. And the lap wasn’t excellent, there have been many sharp turns, and lots of people.
iRunFar: Did you may have a specific purpose?
Sorokin: My purpose was to run about 200 miles.
iRunFar: How did the race go, by way of your pacing technique, and likewise vitamin technique?
Sorokin: Like I wrote, my pacing ways had been unhealthy, I started the run too quick. Vitamin ways had been like all the time: for the primary few hours, I adopted the plan of taking round 400 energy per hour and 500 milliliters of liquids per hour, taking sandwiches and isotonic drinks. After that, it was completely a mixture of every part: isotonic drinks, cookies, chips, bananas, oranges, beer, and cola.
iRunFar: It appeared just like the climate was slightly difficult. How did you discover the situations?
Sorokin: We had been fortunate, the climate was largely good. Only for the primary few hours, it was chilly and wet, and at evening it was slightly too chilly. However higher slightly chilly than too sizzling.
iRunFar: The monitor gave the impression to be slightly congested with lots of runners. Was this an issue?
Sorokin: Sure, I feel this was my principal downside and reason for struggling.
iRunFar: You ran very properly within the second half, even if you happen to had been struggling rather a lot for the second 12 hours. How is it that you just handle to proceed to carry a robust tempo when feeling unhealthy?
Sorokin: After I endure, I take into consideration my nation, my pals who assist me, and my spouse. Apart from that, it’s my selection. I do know there shall be ache, struggling. I simply maintain going.
iRunFar: Do you continue to hope to interrupt the 200-mile mark in a 24-hour race someday?
Sorokin: Sure, I’m completely certain. 200 miles isn’t a restrict.
iRunFar: What do you assume you will want to do in a different way to hit the 200-mile mark, both within the preparation or on race day?
Sorokin: Not every part goes to plan, the European championships usually are not a very good place to do your finest, as a result of lots of people race. 200 miles, I’ll maintain for subsequent time.
iRunFar: What have you ever deliberate to do subsequent?
Sorokin: For the remainder of this yr, no races. After that, I don’t have a plan but.
iRunFar: Lastly, you broke a world file, however it sounds such as you had a troublesome day. So, how do you are feeling now about it? Are you content?
Sorokin: I did my plan about 90% to 95%, so I’m glad. To start with, it’s a really proud factor to [break the world record] at a giant occasion, just like the European championships, moderately than someplace small. And I’m very honored to symbolize my nation. So, I can say, sure.
Aleksandr Sorokin, after profitable the 2022 IAU 24 Hour European Championships, in a brand new world file. Picture: Marius Antanaitis display seize from race video
Name for Feedback
- Have been you following this race? What had been your ideas?
- For a way lengthy might you maintain Sorokin’s 24-hour tempo?!
