Interview with Gete Wami

By Rachel Wallack

Gete Wami has entered the ING New York City Marathon 2007, attempting an unprecedented second major marathon in a span of five weeks, just after winning the real,- Berlin Marathon crown in September. Wami is approaching New York’s challenging course with confidence, relying on her experience from a seventh-place finish in 2005 and her "I can do anything I put my mind to" mentality. But Wami, who took second at the Flora London Marathon this year, is known for excelling on flat, fast courses. She talks about her training in Ethiopia, on varied terrains, in preparation for this race. Also at stake for Wami is the inaugural World Marathon Majors (WMM) Series title (in which she currently tops the leaderboard with 65 points) that will be awarded after New York to complete the 2006-2007 series. Wami is hoping to add two more titles to her list of accolades this Sunday, which already include the world 10,000-meter title and two Olympic medals (one silver and one bronze).

Fast-women.com: What was your mindset during the race in Berlin? Was it different when you started than when you found yourself ahead of the pack towards the end?

Gete Wami: I ran a 2:20 pace up to the 30K mark. I didn’t anticipate that I would win. Once I realized I would win, I didn’t push as hard because I had New York on my mind. I used judgment to pace myself.

Wami's husband, Getaneh Tessema: Had Berlin worn here out, she wouldn’t have run here. Down the line, she’s considering the Olympics too. So we wouldn’t want to push her so hard if this would wear her down. We take the race as a practice run. Not every race is run to win with 100 percent. Gete took Berlin [Marathon] as a practice run as well.

FW: I’ve heard that your husband (and coach), Getaneh Tessema, helped you make your decision about whether or not to compete in New York. What was his role in your decision-making process?

GW: As for decisions, I make more of them myself. I have to listen to my body, and I know what I feel and what my body is telling me. The decision is more my own.

FW: Do you feel about your performance in Berlin? Were you happy that the field was less competitive than it is in New York this year?

GW: I was happy I was able to win in Berlin. You never underestimate a race. A race is always a race and you do run to win—even with less competitive runners.

FW: You’ve previously excelled at flat, fast courses. What is your plan to conquer the New York course, which is the opposite of that?

GW: I ran the [ING] New York City Marathon two years ago and I know the race. I also know that it’s a tough track, however, when I ran it I had recently given birth; I was weaker then. Now I am better prepared and stronger. Just like the course here, we have a lot of flats, uphills, and downhills back home [in Ethiopia]. I feel that the terrain is comparable in difficulty. I alternated on all surfaces while I trained. I ran all over town. An athlete’s stamina will be the deciding factor over the other competitors here.

FW: Are you looking forward to racing against Paula Radcliffe again?

GW: I consider myself to have grown with Paula since our track and cross-country days, and I’ve appreciated our competition over the years. I appreciate it even more, now that she’s had a child like me. I look forward to racing with her in New York.

FW: How would you feel if your fellow Ethiopian, Berhane Adere, entered the field in New York?

GW: I would have been very happy had she run. We are fellow country runners and we would have supported and encouraged each other.

FW: What are your plans for after the marathon? How will you relax after such a tolling season?

GW: Yes, I do intend to take it easy. I have family here that I intend to visit, while I train at a slow pace here. Then I will go home, train lightly and spend time with my family there. My daughter, Eva, is four years old now.

Interview conducted November 1, 2007, and posted November 2, 2007.