This week I am writing from Paris, where Dakotah Lindwurm is in final preparations for the Olympic Marathon. See below for more on the race itself. I thought I would just share a few reflections on this process in this week’s Coach’s Corner.
It’s not every day that you get to write from the Olympics, so first off, I just want to share how grateful I am to be here and experiencing this as a coach. I think most athletes, especially in track and field and similar sports, dream of being an Olympian. I know I did. For the vast majority of us, that dream remains just that, and we have to let it go and move on to other things. I did just that when I ran my final Olympic Trials in 2012.
I certainly did not get into coaching as a way of continuing the pursuit of the Olympic dream. I got into it because I found that loved it – sharing the joy of running, working with people in serious pursuit of self-betterment, the puzzle of dealing with unique challenges and obstacles, and most of all the relationships with the athletes. That being said, it is still pretty cool to find myself here at the Games with an athlete who deserves all the credit and accolades she has received in earning a spot on the starting line.
So one major sentiment I want to express is a big thank you to all the athletes who have allowed me to be their coach over the years. I feel very strongly that it is an honor and privilege to serve as someone’s coach, and it’s a responsibility that I don’t take lightly. I have learned from so many athletes along the way, and these individuals and teams have helped me become a better coach.
Thanks also to those who have supported our team in any way, whether that involved financial contributions, cheers out at races or training runs, or any other support. And lastly, thanks to Dakotah for carrying me and so many of us in our community along as a part of her dream. It has been a great ride, and I’m thankful to be a part of it.
The Paris Marathon Course
As everyone knows, the Olympic Games have been going for over two weeks now, and this week track and field has garnered much of the spotlight. This weekend is the culmination of the Games, and our own Dakotah Lindwurm is competing on the final day of the 2024 Olympics, in the women’s marathon.
The course is a far cry from the flat, multi-loop courses that are often used in international championships. Rather, the organizers developed a course that highlights many of the historic sights of Paris and the surrounding areas, including a massive climb out to the Palace of Versailles. Runner’s World has a nice article on the unique challenges of this race, and how that may play into Team USA’s chances. They also have one specifically focused on the course.
Dakotah was able to preview the course in April, (thanks to Puma!), so none of this comes as a surprise. Likewise, the weather promises to be quite warm this weekend, with a high of 93 predicted for Sunday. Race time temperatures are projected to be in the 70s. Again, this is not really a surprise, but that doesn’t make it any less challenging.
The start is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. local time Sunday morning, which is 1:00 a.m. CT very early Sunday morning. For those looking to watch in the U.S., it’s more like a very late Saturday night. Speaking of which, Twin Cities in Motion is hosting a viewing party at the Riverview Theater for those who want to gather to cheer on Dakotah and the other women.
There are plenty of other outlets providing previews of the race, so we will not do a deep dive on the field here. Suffice it to say that any race with the World Record holder (Tigest Assefa, Ethiopia) and the defending Olympic Gold Medalist (Peres Jepchirchir, Kenya) along with Helen Obiri (Kenya) and Sifan Hassan (Netherlands) is a pretty strong field. That being said, the challenges of the course, the weather, and the spotlight of the Olympics all add up to a highly unpredictable race.
Any athlete can only control their own approach to the day, and Dakotah has prepared well and has a great mindset heading into the race. The race will be on Peacock/NBC.
Chris Lundstrom is the head coach of Minnesota Distance Elite – formerly Team USA Minnesota – which includes some of the top distance runners in the USA, including Annie Frisbie, Dakotah Lindwurm, Breanna Sieracki and Joel Reichow.
