Peter Fraňo of Slovakia completed third within the 2023 Path World Championships 80k. in Innsbruck-Stubai, Austria On this interview, carried out in writing the week after the race, he talks about how the day went, a bit in regards to the path operating scene in Slovakia, and what it meant to race as a part of a group.
For extra on what occurred within the race, learn our 2023 Path World Championships 80k outcomes article.
Peter Fraňo ending the 2023 Path World Championships 80k in third place. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
iRunFar: Congratulations in your nice run. What’s your historical past with sports activities? How did you get into operating?
Peter Fraňo: I performed soccer till I used to be 18 after which I had loads of time, nothing to do, and attributable to residing near the mountains I began to do ski mountaineering. In the summertime when the snow melted operating was a pure motion, so I began operating.
iRunFar: What’s the path operating and ultrarunning scene like in Slovakia? Inform us in regards to the group, the paths, the races.
Fraňo: The path operating group is rising actually quick and we’ve a number of native races each week in all distances. I believe the path operating group is like in all places, all know one another, and the ambiance could be very pleasant. We now have very stunning trails, just like Innsbruck. We’re a small nation however with the proper circumstances for coaching for trails. We now have steep uphills, technical ridges… so I believe it’s the good place for operating.
iRunFar: Of the lads who ended up on the rostrum at this race, you went out probably the most aggressively on the primary 18-kilometer loop. Was it your plan to run close to the entrance early within the race?
Fraňo: I had no plan for the start. I simply needed to remain in my consolation zone, ideally near the entrance of the race, however I used to be additionally ready for the scenario that I could possibly be someplace in the midst of the beginning area. I used to be shocked that I used to be near the entrance from the start so typically I needed to relax a bit bit and decelerate to remain within the group as a result of I used to be near the most important favorites which have way more expertise in extremely than me.
iRunFar: You fell again a number of positions after the primary loop. Had been you nervous that you simply have been falling again within the race area, or have been you merely stress-free into your personal race?
Fraňo: I needed to do my very own race and after the 18k loop, I noticed that the race began and runners began to push a bit bit extra. I attempted to remain in my consolation zone for the primary half of the race, so I didn’t care about my place.
iRunFar: By 50k, you had moved into third place. Did you make a robust transfer someplace on the course?
Fraňo: The plan was to maintain calm till help station quantity three and from there begin competing. I ran rather well uphill round kilometer 45. I used to be in a position to run virtually the entire uphill with out strolling, and there I handed Thibaut [Garrivier], Zach [Miller], and Aritz [Egea]. At the moment, I felt actually good.
iRunFar: What was it like operating in third place for thus lengthy? Had been you nervous? Excited?
Fraňo: It was good, however I didn’t really feel something particular. Typically I noticed a cameraman run with me, however the feeling was the identical as normal.
iRunFar: What’s your greatest reminiscence from these world championships?
Fraňo: Most likely after I noticed the Slovak group on the end line — they have been actually comfortable, perhaps greater than me. Normally I run alone, perhaps with one one that supplies help however right here it was very nice that we have been a group and we supported one another. And for a small second I felt that it isn’t a person sport, however I had a crew there.
iRunFar: What different race or races will likely be your focus for the remainder of this yr?
Fraňo: I wish to qualify for the CCC so I’ll do Val d’Aran [by UTMB] and if I succeed, I’ll do CCC. Moreover that, shorter races from the Skyrunner World Sequence.
iRunFar: Congratulations in your third-place end!
