Hellen Obiri is a Kenyan middle-distance runner and the current 5000 metres champion after winning gold in the 2017 World Championships in London. She is also the silver medalist from the 2016 Summer Olympics over the same distance (5000 metres). She won 3000 metres distance at 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. Obiri holds the National Record for the 5000 metres event.
The 5000 Metres Champion Hellen Obiri shares all her secrets about training, diet and motivation to win the World Championships and Olympics in an exclusive interview with Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You created a huge blast when you won the 3000 metres distance at 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey and soon became the silver medalist at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the 5000 m event. Walk us through your spectacular journey and tell us how it all began?
Ms. Hellen Obiri:
My athletics career began at high school in 2004 when I was 14 years old. I saw that I was faster than the other girls in my class. My big opportunity came in 2010 when I was given the opportunity to join the PACE Sports Management training camp in Kenya. From there I got the opportunity to train with the professionals and compete internationally. I won the Kenyan Championships in 2011 and competed at the World Championships in Korea that year. I have gold, silver and bronze medals from the World Championships (Indoors & Outdoors) and a silver from the 2016 Olympic Games.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What inspired you to take up this sport?
Ms. Hellen Obiri:
Kenya has a lot of top runners who are famous for winning races all over the world. We used to read about them in the newspaper and see them running on TV. When I was young I looked up to an athlete called Jackline Maranga and wanted to be like her.
All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2017 Women Fitness
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Introduce us to a day in the life of an athlete, preparing for the Olympic Games.
Ms. Hellen Obiri:
I am a long distance runner so we have to be very disciplined and dedicated. I do my first training session at 6am then another in the afternoon. Between times I have to rest, get massage, eat well. I train 6 days per week and rest on Sundays. I try to go to bed around 9pm.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine that you may like to share?
Ms. Hellen Obiri:
I run twice every day anything from 40 to 90 mins. 2-3 times per week I do hard session of intervals – this can be laps and laps on the track, running up and down hills, or timed runs on the trails. My favourite workout is 6 x 600m with 90 seconds recovery. I also do exercises in the gym twice per week.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Hellen Obiri:
In Kenya we naturally eat a healthy diet – low fat and a lot of fresh food. Our stable food is called ugali. It is what most runners eat for dinner each night.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Training for professional sports requires you to be out in the extreme weather. How are you able to take care of your skin and hair?
Ms. Hellen Obiri:
I have my hair stylist who comes to my house regularly, especially when I am going to an event or travelling abroad. I like to use Movit hair and skin products.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your greatest influence and motivator in your success in the field of your career?
Ms. Hellen Obiri:
Vivian Cheruiyot – Olympic 5000m Champion and 5 times World Champion. We are both coached by Ricky Simms and train a lot together. Also, my husband Tom who has been very supportive of my career.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Having participated in multiple events like World Championships and Olympic Games, tell us about one of the most memorable experience that you may have had at these Games.
Ms. Hellen Obiri:
My best experience was at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio when I took the silver medal in the 5000m behind Vivian. An Ethiopian athlete was the favourite to win but we used better tactics and worked together to get gold and silver. She was far ahead of us at halfway but by the end we had overtaken her and secured the top spots. It was a great day for us and our coach. What made it extra special is that I had just returned from maternity leave. My daughter Tania was born in May 2015.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding middle-distance runners who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in this field?
Ms. Hellen Obiri:
Athletics requires hard work and dedication. You have to find the event you are good at, get a good coach and training partners and work hard. There is no short cut.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How did you feel before and after winning the silver medal at the Olympic Games 2016?
Ms. Hellen Obiri:
I was confident of getting a medal in Rio but you never know what happens until the race starts. During the race our coach had given us (Vivian and I) a plan to stay behind for the first half of the race and then work together in the second half of the race. It took a lot of courage to let another athlete get so far ahead but we believed in the plan and it worked perfectly as we took gold and silver. After the race I was very happy as it was my first time to run the 5000m at a major Championship.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about your preparations for the future Games and Championships.
Ms. Hellen Obiri:
I will compete in more Championships in the future. So far this year has gone very well for me with wins in Shanghai, London, Monaco, Boston, Milan and Rome. I set new Kenyan Records in the mile and 5000m.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Ms. Hellen Obiri:
Thank you for telling my story and I hope you enjoy reading it.
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2017 Women Fitness