Nguyen Van Lai regretted missing sub2:30 at MetaSports Marathon Hue
The race in Hue on April 16 is the second time that Thanh Hoa athletes have competed in the marathon. And with 2:31:29, he won the first championship at this distance in his peak career, 5 minutes and 6 seconds faster than runner-up Le Van Tuan.
The newly achieved parameter is also Van Lai's new personal record at 42.195km after 2 hours and 37 minutes when he finished second in the first time competing this distance in the national championship in Son La on March 26. However, Thanh Hoa's runner did not reach his goal: sub2:30 (under 2 hours 30 minutes).
"Unfortunately! When I ran to the 21st, 22nd kilometer, I started having jolts in my right hip. The pain slowed me down 4 to 5 km. If it weren't for that incident, I'm sure I could have reached 2 hours. 27 or 28 minutes," Van Lai said.
However, the victory in Hue is still a great encouragement for the 36-year-old athlete. Van Lai said: "I am very happy and excited to be on the top podium in the second time competing in the marathon content. This victory will create a premise and motivation for me to strive for the next tournaments, thereby gradually improving my success. achieve and achieve the goals set for this year".
Van Lai could not explain the cause of the pain during the competition. This running leg indicates that this phenomenon has only appeared recently when training for a marathon, possibly because the body is in the process of adapting. "Maybe it's because my preparation time is too short, only two weeks. I think running one more race can adjust my body to avoid this," he said.
The former SEA Games champion highly appreciated the MetaSports Marathon Imperial Hue 2023. He was also satisfied with the organization and the watering points. However, Van Lai has a bit of regret when this tournament lacks some strong athletes.
At MetaSports Marathon Imperial Hue 2023, many of Vietnam's top marathon runners could not attend due to busy preparing for the 32nd SEA Games and going to the US to attend the major Boston Marathon on April 17. Another long-awaited face - Kenyan runner Victor Chepkwony - could not come to Vietnam due to visa problems.
Van Lai hopes that the next tournaments in the MetaSports Marathon system will have many strong athletes competing to raise the level of the tournament. The original Thanh Hoa runner also aims to conquer the 2 hour 25 minute mark with MetaSports Marathon from now until the end of the year.
"The last tournament was also the first time I competed in a marathon under rainy conditions. Previously, I had encountered this weather when competing in 5km or 10km, but the impact was not as great as a marathon. It's a pity because if the weather is bad. More conveniently, I can know more about my strength," said the original Thanh Hoa runner.
One of the motivations for Van Lai to compete at the MetaSports Marathon Imperial Hue 2023 is the fact that his first son Nguyen Huu An also participated in the Kun Marathon a day earlier. This is the first time Van Lai's family lets their child participate in a running race. In response, Huu An won first prize for the age group of nine.
"After winning the first prize, my son said to me: 'My family is the best. Tomorrow, if you try harder, you will get two best'", the former SEA Games champion shared.
Farewell to Hue, Van Lai brought his family back to Hoa Binh house. He wants to practice more in the near future and has no plans to participate in the next tournament.
