Jonas Buud currently has four second-place finishes at the IAU 100k World Championships. He’s back this year with as good a chance as ever to take home the gold. In the following interview, Jonas talks about how he’s recovered since crushing UltraVasan three weeks ago (interview), what his plan is for Saturday, and how he thinks the Swedish team will do.
To see who else is running, check out iRunFar’s 2015 IAU 100k World Championships preview.
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Jonas Buud Pre-2015 IAU 100k World Championships Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Bryon Powell of iRunFar here with Jonas Buud before the 2015 IAU 100k World Championships. How are you, Jonas?
Jonas Buud: I’m fine, thanks.
iRunFar: We spoke to you a few weeks ago after UltraVasan where you absolutely destroyed it—incredible race there. How have you recovered since then?
Buud: I really don’t know, but I hope it will be okay. I’ve been resting for a week, then some easy training, and then some rest and then this race. So, not so much of training for the last month except UltraVasan.
iRunFar: Just carrying over the fitness than you obviously had.
Buud: Yes, I hope so.
iRunFar: You’ve been second here, not here in Winschoten, but in the IAU 100k many times.
Buud: Yes, four times.
iRunFar: Four times. Is this the year?
Buud: Yes, I hope so as always. Four times second, sometimes must win also I hope.
iRunFar: Do you feel as fit as you’ve ever been coming into this race?
Buud: Maybe I was in the shape of my life a few weeks ago, so I hope I have something more to give this weekend also.
iRunFar: Last year when you placed second in Doha, you ran a very smart race. You ran your own race. You weren’t trying to run off with the leaders. Would you do that again, or do you have to take more risks?
Buud: No, I think I will make my own race this year also. I’m not a fast runner. I must keep my same pace the whole time otherwise… that’s best for me, too.
iRunFar: What is that goal pace?
Buud: It’s probably 6:28 at my Swedish record maybe.
iRunFar: Maybe set a new national record?
Buud: Yeah, that would be nice.
iRunFar: You’re also here as part of Team Sweden which quietly has a very strong team.
Buud: Yes, it’s a big team this year. It’s the biggest ever, I think.
iRunFar: Do you guys have a change to go on the podium or even beyond that?
Buud: Yes, we hope, at least for the European podium. I hope we have a good chance. I think yes.
iRunFar: Who else is probably going to score with you on the Swedish team?
Buud: I don’t know. I think it’s all of us can run under seven hours. I don’t know who would be second or first.
iRunFar: I think some other people are counting on who that should be. What gives you excitement to come back for this race because you’ve done this race a lot of times?
Buud: Yeah, it’s a world championship. You can run for Sweden. That’s real nice. I also really love to run 100k. It’s really nice.
iRunFar: What about the 100k distance is special for you?
Buud: I think it’s just perfect for me to compete in—about six hours, that’s what I really can do.
iRunFar: Marathon is a little too short speed-wise. 100 miles? Have you done a 100 miler yet?
Buud: Yes, I have—one. That’s also good—12 hours and 35 minutes.
iRunFar: Oh, that’s right. It was a ‘trail’ course but very flat?
Buud: Yes, easy trail.
iRunFar: Best of luck. I hope you’re recovered and have a strong performance out there.
Buud: Yes, thanks. Thanks.
