This previous weekend, on the IAU 24-Hour European Championships, Lithuania’s Aleksandr Sorokin broke his personal world report, 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 report in a time of 6:05:41. Then he advised us about his background in sport — as a Lithuanian champion kayaker, earlier than a shoulder damage ended his profession at age 25, and he ultimately 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 report 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, nevertheless 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 traditional race? Is there added stress?
Sorokin: Sure, this race was the principle race of the yr, and for positive I felt extra stress. However this helps me to coach higher.
iRunFar: How did you are feeling going into the race?
Sorokin: Till 12 hours, all the pieces 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 will have a specific aim?
Sorokin: My aim was to run about 200 miles.
iRunFar: How did the race go, when it comes to your pacing technique, and in addition 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 all the pieces: isotonic drinks, cookies, chips, bananas, oranges, beer, and cola.
iRunFar: It appeared just like the climate was just a little difficult. How did you discover the circumstances?
Sorokin: We had been fortunate, the climate was largely good. Only for the primary few hours, it was chilly and wet, and at night time it was just a little too chilly. However higher just a little chilly than too sizzling.
iRunFar: The observe gave the impression to be just a little congested with loads of runners. Was this an issue?
Sorokin: Sure, I believe this was my most important drawback and explanation for struggling.
iRunFar: You ran very effectively within the second half, even for those who had been struggling so much for the second 12 hours. How is it that you simply handle to proceed to carry a robust tempo when feeling unhealthy?
Sorokin: Once I undergo, I take into consideration my nation, my pals who assist me, and my spouse. Aside from that, it’s my alternative. I do know there will probably be ache, struggling. I simply preserve going.
iRunFar: Do you continue to hope to interrupt the 200-mile mark in a 24-hour race someday?
Sorokin: Sure, I’m completely positive. 2 hundred miles isn’t a restrict.
iRunFar: What do you suppose you’ll need to do in a different way to hit the 200-mile mark, both within the preparation or on race day?
Sorokin: Not all the pieces goes to plan, the European championships will not be place to do your finest, as a result of lots of people race. 2 hundred miles, I’ll preserve 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 report, nevertheless it sounds such as you had a tough day. So, how do you are feeling now about it? Are you cheerful?
Sorokin: I did my plan about 90% to 95%, so I’m joyful. Initially, it’s a really proud factor to [break the world record] at a giant occasion, just like the European championships, reasonably than someplace small. And I’m very honored to signify my nation. So, I can say, sure.
Aleksandr Sorokin, after successful the 2022 IAU 24 Hour European Championships, in a brand new world report. Picture: Marius Antanaitis display screen 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?!
