Fernando Cabada is the top American entered in this Sunday’s Bank of America Chicago Marathon with his 2:11:36 personal best. While the Fresno-based marathon specialist is hoping for a personal best time on the flat and fast Windy City course, Cabada is really aiming for a competitive effort that will sharpen his skills heading into February’s U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. 

Chicago is just a week away! We last saw you at the Boston Marathon where you finished 25th in 2:22. First let’s talk about Boston. What did you take from that experience?

Boston obviously didn't go well. I was very devastated. What I took away from that experience is to never let a big pack of runners of that caliber get too far ahead, especially with headwinds. I was all alone in the beginning of the race, fighting the wind, being calculated to keep 5:00 mile pace. I wish I could have just raced and went with everyone else and rode that train. I just had very bad tactics on the day, it won't happen again. 

How has training been since taking time off after Boston and beginning the marathon process again?

It took a couple of months to get the fire back after Boston, but eventually I did. Knowing I would be competing in Chicago, on another world stage, I knew it would help me recover fully from my Boston performance. This race gives me another chance to run really well. Training has been great. I've done some of my fastest interval and tempo runs ever. One Saturday, September 26th, I ran a 49:32 10 miler in practice - That's pretty good for me. Seven days prior I did 5x5km w/1km moderate in between each 5km (30km of continuous running) in 1:34:35, 5:04 average per mile. I'm really confident going into Chicago for sure! 

As he should be! Here are those splits:
15:19, 3:29
15:26, 3:31
15:29, 3:43
15:23, 3:34
15:13, 3:23

The Berlin Marathon was just a few weeks ago and last year you set your PR of 2:11:36 there. Did you follow the race this year? What did you think of Matt Llano’s 4 minute PB performance of 2:12?

Berlin was an amazing experience and a much needed PB. I didn't follow the race this year, but I did see the results and read some of the articles afterwards. Matt had an awesome race, we all knew he was better than his 2:16 PB. 

Chicago time! So why the Chicago Marathon? What drew you to this fall marathon?

Chicago is a race I knew I'd eventually do. I can't believe it's taken me all these years to finally run Chicago! I was looking to run a fast course this fall in order to compliment my strengths, I'm very good on flat courses. I also want to run fast and be in the position to run a great PB. Chicago has held the World Record before and has a great reputation, so I wanted to be a part of the action. 

Have you sought advice or guidance from other competitors who have raced Chicago before? What do you expect from the field on this fast course?

Last month Jeff Eggleston talked a little about it to me, but I haven't really asked for advice about the course. I am not worried about the course. As for the field and my expectations, I am not expecting things to go smooth. There are no pace makers, so that can be good and bad. I have for sure adjusted my expectations and will just race. I expect the race to go out at a steady clip, but not world record pace. I will just focus on racing first and foremost, a fast time will come if I compete well. I've trained hard and have done a lot of fartleks, I'll be ready for whatever. 

You’ve chipped away at your PB for a few years now (2:12:27, 2:11:53, 2:11:36). Did you alter your training specifically for Chicago for a sub 2:11 finish? What is your ideal finish time? 

My debut 2:12:27 is my best performance out of the three. I was only 24 and trained on my own in southwest Virginia. I still haven't hit my potential since. Now I am in my prime years for marathon racing, 33, and I still believe I'm just one performance away from something great. I'm still not done yet. Without a doubt I am in sub 2:11 shape. As I stated before, I am just going to race Chicago. If the group I end up with runs 1:04:20 at half way, I will be there. If we run 1:06:45, I will be there and not stress out because of the pace. I can always pick it up the second half. If I run 2:12:55 and I'm seventh overall and the first American, I will be very happy! If I'm 2:10:42 and 5th overall and the 2nd American, I will still be very happy! I am just here to race and have fun. 

What’s your go-to marathon workout?

I love doing mile repeats! I actually did 5x1mile recently (September 30th) with a 400m rest in between on the roads by myself. (Splits: 4:44, 4:39, 4:37, 4:35, 4:33) I know what kind of shape I am in off this workout. I like how things are looking for Chicago!

What’s your least favorite (but very necessary!) marathon workout?

My least favorite workouts are long runs, especially at marathon effort. Funny coming from an accomplished marathoner, right? I just love to race. I am a racer and I love competition. I have never been a good workout person, I've improved over the years for sure. But I'm a different person when on the start line.

How important is Chicago leading up to the Olympic Trials in February?

Chicago training is still money in the bank for the Olympic Trials. I for sure don't want another bad performance heading into Olympic Trials. I am not worried about it though. I am not stressing and a race is still a race. I can win Chicago or I can be 15th place, I still have to have a great performance in Los Angeles on February 13th in order to make the team for Rio. I will worry about it on the day. 

You finished seventh in the 2012 Olympic Trials. It’s a different course and the field of play, though similar, is four years older. Looking back at the 2012 race, how have you grown as a marathoner?

I'm at a point where I just need to get better at being me. I don't care about others' workouts. I've had my own success and I know what has worked to get me there. I just have to focus on making it better, maybe to be more consistent in one area or pull back in another. I believe I am talented enough to roll with anyone in the country when it comes to the marathon. I won't try to do something crazy in the months leading up to the Olympic Trials. I will just do more of the same and be rested and excited come February 13th. I like the cards I am holding and will rely on them for a top 3 performance.