Olympic runners are the best in the world. And we, non-Olympic runners, admire their dedication and athleticism. But while we are inspired by their awesomeness, we also reconcile it with the belief that, “they are not like us.” They don’t have the same genes as us; they don’t train like us; and they certainly don’t have the same life experiences as us.
I mean…look at Sifan Hassan, the elite Dutch runner that medaled in the 5000m, 10000m, and Marathon all at the same Olympics. Her medals were bronze, bronze, and gold, respectively. In fact, she broke the Olympic record on the gnarly Paris Marathon course.
It was incredible! It was amazing! And some might actually call her Olympic performances superhuman. 😳
As she has done something no other human has done in 72 years; and yet, I would argue that Sifan Hassan is human. And she has more in common with us mere running mortals than we realize.
Sifan Hassan Interview Quotes
After winning the 2023 Chicago Marathon in 2:33 with the second-fastest marathon time ever by a woman and only her second marathon, she shared:
“It was a little bit cold. The first 5km was hard and the last 5km was also very hard.”
And then when she was asked if the 2024 Paris Olympic Marathon was in her sights, she responded:
“It is so painful the last 7 to 5km. I was like I’m never going to run a marathon again. I’m still in pain. My hip is still in pain. I was suffering the last 5km. I’m not going to say I’m going to run another marathon, so I just have to recover and I’m very happy I won. I’m very grateful I ran this time, but I’m still in pain.”
We feel that Sifan… 🤣
And then after winning gold and breaking the Olympic Marathon record in 2:22 at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Sifan said:
“I can’t believe I finished. I don’t know about winning. But I just can’t believe I finished the marathon. I really was surprised when I became Paris Olympic Champion…I just can’t believe I won. Not even win. I just can’t believe I finished the marathon. I was so scared. I’m not normally nervous, but I was so scared. I was really scared for a marathon!…I was telling myself I’m so stupid why I’m playing this kind of game. Why the hell, who the hell I’m thinking that I wanna run a marathon. I was crying this morning. ‘Why I put this thing for myself?’”
Um…we feel that too (minus the Olympic Champion part)… 🤣
Key Takeaways
Despite her superhuman accomplishments, Sifan Hassan experiences the same trials, fears, and triumphs that every runner knows well. Her reflections on her performances reveal just how much we share in common with this elite athlete.
Relatable Struggles
Just like us, Sifan faces self-doubt and nerves before a big race. Her admission of crying and questioning her decision to run a marathon is something many of us have felt before a challenging run or race. Her fear is yet another reminder that feeling apprehensive is a natural part of pushing our boundaries.
Pain and Endurance
Sifan’s candid remarks about the pain she felt during and after her races, like her statement about the last killer kilometers of her Chicago Marathon, are relatable to any runner who has pushed through discomfort to reach the finish line. Her ability to endure and overcome this pain is a testament to the mental toughness most runners strive to develop.
Gratitude and Joy
Despite the adversity she faced, Sifan’s expressions of gratitude and happiness are incredibly inspiring. Celebrating small victories and feeling gratitude for our achievements are universal aspects of the running experience. Her joy in simply finishing, not just winning, mirrors the humble satisfaction many of us feel at the end of a run or a race.
By sharing these vulnerabilities and emotions, Sifan Hassan becomes a mirror reflecting our own running journeys. Her story reminds us that greatness is born from embracing our humanity—from facing our fears, enduring pain, and finding joy in our perseverance.
So keep running, stay curious, and keep finding out what’s possible like Sifan. 😊
If you want any guidance or support on your running growth journey, feel free to reach out!
Cheers to your inner Olympian,
Martise : )
