Here are some of the answers to the questions many of you have submitted for Kerryn McCann. If you have any specific questions for the other athletes involved, please submit them to the Rap as soon as possible.
Q&A from Kerryn McCann, Gold Medallist - Womens Marathon.......
1. Now you have won Gold - do you have any plans of retiring?
No I'm not going to retire yet. I am running in the New York Marathon on 3rd November so I am back into training already and am looking forward to racing New York.
2. Who are your role models? Why? Are they all marathon runners?
My role models are Steve Monneghetti and Paula Radcliff (English) They are both great marathoners but also are very competitive over most other distances.
3. How much training would you do in a week in the lead up to a marathon? Does this change much after you have raced?
When I am in full training I run 180-200km each week. I run a marathon every Sunday in training. I start to ease up 2 weeks before a marathon and also about 3 weeks recovery after a marathon. Racing a marathon takes a lot out of you physically and mentally.
4. How long does it take to recover from a big race like the World Championships, Olympic Games or Commonwealth Games?
It takes a bit of time depending on the race e.g. after a marathon I did in 1999 in Seville World Championships, it was very hot and I dehydrated and 'hit a wall' at 30km. I finished but had bad cramps in my legs and was exhausted. It took me a lot longer to recover from that marathon than it will from the Commonwealth Games marathon as I finished well and felt very good
after the race.
5. At what point did you know you had won Gold?
At about 30km, the Kenyan athlete had dropped off the pace and I could see I had a big lead, I was hoping I wouldn't get a cramp or a stitch. I just tried to relax and enjoy the race once I new I had a big lead.
6. How did it feel having Australia come 1st , 2nd and 3rd in your race?
It was very exciting to see the other t wo Aussies come 2nd and 3rd. I was really happy to see my good friend Krishna come in 2nd because we have been good friends for a long time. Krishna has had a lot of troubles with injuries but she kept training and never gave up so it was nice to see her get a silver medal because she deserved it.
7. What types of things did you have to do with the media after winning Gold?
I had to do lots of radio interviews and television interviews so I was very busy for the rest of the day and very tired by the time I went to bed that night.
8. What are you next goals?
New York marathon on the 3rd November. I will do some road races in Australia before I leave.
I hope you have enjoyed hearing about my experience. I look forward to seeing what questions you asked the other athletes involved in the Rap.
Good luck with the rest of your Rap Tasks.
Kerryn McCann
Paul Doorn
Paul Doorn
Curriculum Adviser PDHPE
Professional Support and Curriculum
Ph: (02) 9886 7529
Fax: (02) 9886 7655
Email: paul.doorn@det.nsw.edu.au
Web site: www.curriculumsupport.nsw.edu.au
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