2017 Sportisimo Prague Half MarathonMar 30, 2017 by Johanna Gretschel
Quick & Dirty Q&A With Jordan Hasay Before Prague Half Marathon
Quick & Dirty Q&A With Jordan Hasay Before Prague Half Marathon
Jordan Hasay talks about her goals before the 2017 Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon.
Forgive Jordan Hasay -- she didn't return my email right away because she's been napping. From a quick Google estimate, it's a 15-18 hour travel day to get from Portland, Ore. to Prague, the capitol of the Czech Republic. Then there's that pesky nine-hour time difference.
The 25-year-old Nike Oregon Project (NOP) athlete is abroad to race the 2017 Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon this Saturday (which you can watch, super early!, live on FloTrack) with her teammate, two-time Olympic medalist Galen Rupp. The former national high school record holder at 1500m has found great success on the roads in the past few months, winning gold at the USATF 10 Mile Championships last October in 52:49, and the USATF 15K Championships this March in 49:28. She ran 1:08:40 in her half marathon debut in Houston this January, which makes her the eighth fastest performer in American history. Both Rupp and Hasay are using the Prague half as a final tempo effort before the Boston Marathon in two weeks; Rupp will likely chase Ryan Hall's 59:43 American record, while Hasay is taking a more measured approach as Boston will be her debut at 26.2. She did eventually email me back, and here is a transcript of our brief conversation.
Jojo: What is the plan for this weekend's half? Do you have a goal time in mind?
Jordan: The goal is to run controlled for the first 10 miles then if I feel good, to pick it up the last three. We don't want to dig a hole going into Boston so if I don't feel great, I'll just maintain pace but if I feel good, then I'll go for it a bit. I'm really using it as a tune-up for Boston so that I can feel comfortable coming through the half in two weeks a lot slower at marathon pace there.
We're only a few weeks out from Boston. Why did you decide to race in Prague as a tune-up?
It fits well since we didn't have to taper a few weeks out then go back up. Since Boston is in two weeks, it will just be one continuous taper so that works out well. I would typically do a longer tempo in practice so this takes the place of my final hard tempo.
What will you do training-wise in between this race and Boston?
Rest and taper! Pretty much will be about recovery from the half. I'll do one more 25 mile run but it will be very slow and easy.
How many miles per week are you currently running? How long is your longest run?
I've gone 25 miles a few times now with a one mile cool down. So technically I've gone a marathon! I've done quite a few 20 milers as well. I'm at about 100 miles.
Is there a particular workout this year that you feel indicates your current fitness? How does your body feel right now compared to a year ago, marathon vs. track training?
I feel like the long runs have indicated my fitness as well as the half marathon in Houston and this one in Prague will be a good indicator as well. It's interesting because the track workouts are so different from what I'm used to and those are usually on tired legs so you take those in stride! The strength definitely comes into play in that regard. It's nice how once you rest a bit, it all comes together!
A lot of track fans are pretty excited for your marathon debut. How has the switch to the roads rejuvenated you as a runner and a competitor?
Thank you! Yes, it's been a lot of fun and like a new sport for me. I've been doing track since I was so young, so it's just been nice to have a change of pace. I enjoy the road races since there's a variety of stories and everyone is running the race for a different reason -- whether it be personal fitness goals, family, charity, etc. It's just fun to see that compared to track racing, where it's only the elites.
In your early career, did you ever think you would become a marathoner and why/why not? What do the longer distances bring out of you?
I definitely thought I would run the marathon, but just not quite this soon. I'm really glad to move up though! I've always loved the longer training and one of my strengths is that I can focus for an extended period. The long runs never seem that long!
What was the biggest lesson you learned from Houston?
I learned that if I run my own pace, I'll end up quick and in a good position in the end. I was very far back at first but I caught a lot of women in the second half. That's my same race plan for this weekend.
Do you plan to race USA Outdoors, or does this spring signal a complete switch to road racing?
Yes, I plan on coming back and trying to make the 10K team for London.
What are you most looking forward to getting out of this weekend's competition?
I am excited and honored to race some of the best in the world around a beautiful city!
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The 25-year-old Nike Oregon Project (NOP) athlete is abroad to race the 2017 Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon this Saturday (which you can watch, super early!, live on FloTrack) with her teammate, two-time Olympic medalist Galen Rupp. The former national high school record holder at 1500m has found great success on the roads in the past few months, winning gold at the USATF 10 Mile Championships last October in 52:49, and the USATF 15K Championships this March in 49:28. She ran 1:08:40 in her half marathon debut in Houston this January, which makes her the eighth fastest performer in American history. Both Rupp and Hasay are using the Prague half as a final tempo effort before the Boston Marathon in two weeks; Rupp will likely chase Ryan Hall's 59:43 American record, while Hasay is taking a more measured approach as Boston will be her debut at 26.2. She did eventually email me back, and here is a transcript of our brief conversation.
Jojo: What is the plan for this weekend's half? Do you have a goal time in mind?
Jordan: The goal is to run controlled for the first 10 miles then if I feel good, to pick it up the last three. We don't want to dig a hole going into Boston so if I don't feel great, I'll just maintain pace but if I feel good, then I'll go for it a bit. I'm really using it as a tune-up for Boston so that I can feel comfortable coming through the half in two weeks a lot slower at marathon pace there.
We're only a few weeks out from Boston. Why did you decide to race in Prague as a tune-up?
It fits well since we didn't have to taper a few weeks out then go back up. Since Boston is in two weeks, it will just be one continuous taper so that works out well. I would typically do a longer tempo in practice so this takes the place of my final hard tempo.
What will you do training-wise in between this race and Boston?
Rest and taper! Pretty much will be about recovery from the half. I'll do one more 25 mile run but it will be very slow and easy.
How many miles per week are you currently running? How long is your longest run?
I've gone 25 miles a few times now with a one mile cool down. So technically I've gone a marathon! I've done quite a few 20 milers as well. I'm at about 100 miles.
Is there a particular workout this year that you feel indicates your current fitness? How does your body feel right now compared to a year ago, marathon vs. track training?
I feel like the long runs have indicated my fitness as well as the half marathon in Houston and this one in Prague will be a good indicator as well. It's interesting because the track workouts are so different from what I'm used to and those are usually on tired legs so you take those in stride! The strength definitely comes into play in that regard. It's nice how once you rest a bit, it all comes together!
A lot of track fans are pretty excited for your marathon debut. How has the switch to the roads rejuvenated you as a runner and a competitor?
Thank you! Yes, it's been a lot of fun and like a new sport for me. I've been doing track since I was so young, so it's just been nice to have a change of pace. I enjoy the road races since there's a variety of stories and everyone is running the race for a different reason -- whether it be personal fitness goals, family, charity, etc. It's just fun to see that compared to track racing, where it's only the elites.
Great run for Jordan at Aramco Houston Half Marathon. 4th in 1:08:40. pic.twitter.com/QepmCae3VB
— Oregon Project (@OregonPJT) January 15, 2017
In your early career, did you ever think you would become a marathoner and why/why not? What do the longer distances bring out of you?
I definitely thought I would run the marathon, but just not quite this soon. I'm really glad to move up though! I've always loved the longer training and one of my strengths is that I can focus for an extended period. The long runs never seem that long!
What was the biggest lesson you learned from Houston?
I learned that if I run my own pace, I'll end up quick and in a good position in the end. I was very far back at first but I caught a lot of women in the second half. That's my same race plan for this weekend.
Do you plan to race USA Outdoors, or does this spring signal a complete switch to road racing?
Yes, I plan on coming back and trying to make the 10K team for London.
What are you most looking forward to getting out of this weekend's competition?
I am excited and honored to race some of the best in the world around a beautiful city!
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Archived Competition Footage
Video footage from the competition will be archived and stored in a video library for FloPRO subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.