Sports
Johnatas Cruz at NB 42k Porto Alegre: Consistency and Kipchoge
Champion Johnatas Cruz shares his preparation, consistency secrets, and the thrill of running alongside Eliud Kipchoge at the NB 42k Porto Alegre.
Johnatas Cruz, the current champion of the NB 42k Porto Alegre Marathon, reveals the behind-the-scenes of his preparation and the importance of consistency for elite athletes. He also discusses his anticipation of defending the title and the honor of running with the legendary Eliud Kipchoge on Brazilian soil.
On Radar Stemma, the NB 42k Porto Alegre Marathon champion, Johnatas Cruz, was welcomed by hosts Fabio Bessa and Thiago Kawamura. In a relaxed chat, Johnatas discussed his preparation for the race, the importance of consistency in high performance, and the excitement of competing alongside Eliud Kipchoge, in addition to other crucial topics for marathon runners.
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Preparation and the Pursuit of Speed
Johnatas emphasized that the preparation for the NB 42k Porto Alegre was intense, with a four-month cycle, the longest of his career focused on a marathon. Generally, his cycles revolve around three months. He highlighted the challenges of this period, such as the increased training volume, which requires adaptations in diet, sleep, and mood, especially for those with families. Johnatas is coming from a marathon in Seville, where he clocked 2:12:10 at the beginning of the year.
The transition from one challenge to another included a more prolonged post-marathon rest, something his coach, Flávio, approved. "Rest is also training," the athlete stated, emphasizing the patience required in the process. For the NB 42k Porto Alegre, the focus was on speed and strength training, which were intensified and adapted to optimize performance.
Consistency: The Secret of Johnatas Cruz
Known for his remarkable consistency in marathons, Johnatas, who recorded times like 2:10:43 (his personal best) and consistent 2:12s, shared his perspective. For him, consistency is directly linked to patience in the training process and the ability to understand one's own body – its limits, its evolution, and the need for rest.
Johnatas compared a high-performance athlete to a sword that always needs to be sharp, or a guitar string: "it has to be sharp, but anything can make it snap." This analogy highlights the fine line between ideal training and overtraining, which can lead to injuries. The goal is "not to lose the edge" and "not to snap," maintaining a "good sound" in running, which means consistent performance.
NB 42k Porto Alegre: A Course for Personal Bests
The NB 42k Porto Alegre Marathon is recognized for its characteristics favorable to good personal bests and qualifying times. Johnatas, as a former champion, confirmed that the course is "super flat," allowing athletes to maintain a constant pace without major altitude changes. Concentration and the ability to "internalize the pace" are crucial.
Weather expectations point to cold temperatures, which generally favor performance, although humidity can be a factor. Johnatas expressed support for the Brazilians, mentioning Fabinho and Wendel Jerônimo, who will also participate in the race. He emphasized the importance of teamwork to achieve excellent results.
A Dream Come True: Running with Eliud Kipchoge
One of the highlights of the interview was Johnatas's experience alongside Eliud Kipchoge, considered the greatest global reference in marathons. For Johnatas, running with Kipchoge is a "dream come true" and a "huge honor." He recalled that when he started in the sport, he imagined having to go outside of Brazil to get this opportunity, but the legendary Kenyan came here.
Kipchoge, by breaking the two-hour barrier in the marathon, demonstrated that the human body is capable of going further, inspiring generations. Kipchoge's presence on Brazilian soil promises a spectacular event, and Johnatas said he was "super happy" with the reception from the Gaucho public for the athletics icon.
The Importance of Prize Money for Professional Athletes
Asked about the NB 42k Porto Alegre prize money, which includes a significant amount for the best Brazilian, Johnatas highlighted its importance. Money is fundamental for covering training costs and expenses for professional athletes, who often need to seek altitude training in places like Europe or Africa. However, Johnatas stressed that his main focus is not the prize money, but rather consistency, evolution, podium finishes, and learning from defeats.
He praised the marathon's organization for offering substantial prize money, reaching a "European level," serving as an example and motivating both current athletes and future generations. His journey, which began with garbage collection, with an exhausting routine of work and training, is proof that dedication and the joy of practicing the sport can lead to unimaginable places, as his mentors Raimundo and João always said.
Johnatas concluded by thanking everyone and expressing his hope for an excellent race for all, promising that he will be at the finish line tomorrow for another great challenge.
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