The runner-up European marathon champion, Clémence Calvin will be present this weekend in Allonnes, for the qualifying round for the European Championships in three weeks. Even if the qualification does not interest her, she delivers her impressions. She hopes to finish first French.
His final sprint against the Belarusian Volha Mazuronak this Sunday, August 12 in Berlin will remain as one of the great images of the year in athletics. Vice-champion of Europe in 2 h 26 '28 for her first incursion on the mythical distance of the marathon, Clémence Calvin will be again present in Allonnes Sunday. Without looking for a selection for "Europe" cross, just with the desire to have fun and run well on this course that she loves so much.
Although nine times champion of France cross, you do not want to do the European Championships in three weeks. Why ? For several reasons. The first is caution related to the experience. Four years ago after my 10,000m silver medal in Zurich, I wanted to start again too fast and had contracted a shingles that had put me on the wall for over a year. There, after my marathon and a tiring preparation, I opted for a longer recovery beach and the solicitations related to my Berlin medal were numerous. I started really good training only at the beginning of October. The second is that I will return in mid-January in a new marathon preparation to try to make the minima for the Tokyo Olympics this spring (note: In Paris or London). In the meantime, I'd rather rebuild myself and take the competitions as they come, with no performance constraint.
Does this mean that you will run in tomorrow? (She laughs). Surely not ! Sophie (Duarte) is here, there will be a great fight to be the best French and go bother the African women. I am really happy to come every year to Allonnes, a cross that I love. Philippe Leboucher is so carefull with the athletes. During the weekend and even all year. He was in Berlin this summer with his wife to come see us, the athletes of the French team and he makes me the honor to be the godmother of the cross.
Berlin precisely. With three months of hindsight, do you regret having not won? When you train with this goal, yes, for sure. But so little compared to the race. It was my first marathon against girls who have experience. At the 35th kilometer, when I took a few meters on the two other girls still in the group, should I have insisted to dig a larger gap? Maybe, but how would I finish then? No, frankly, I think I have done the best race possible with the best result. I also laid the foundations for my future marathons and above all, I took so much fun to run and train on these paces that I can not wait to eat!
+++ Presentation of the Pacé Rennes Métropole cross