Luis Alberto Hernando heads into the 2017 Trail World Championships in Badia Pratagalia, Italy as the current world champion. In the following interview, Luis Alberto talks about how his fitness and confidence are coming into the race, how he’s even more motivated this year, and why he feels prepared for this year’s faster race.
You can find out more about who’s racing this weekend in our men’s and women’s previews, and follow the race with our live coverage on Saturday.
Luis Alberto Hernando Pre-2017 Trail World Championship Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Bryon Powell of iRunFar here with Luis Alberto Hernando before the 2017 IAU Trail World Championships. How are you, Luis?
Luis Alberto Hernando: Very good. I really want to run the race,
iRunFar: Two years ago you were second. Last year, you were the World Champion. Do you feel as strong this year?
Hernando: I’m feeling older than ever. As I did last year, I’d like to do better this year. I’d really like to repeat it this year. I’m even more motivated than last year.
iRunFar: How old are you?
Hernando: I’m only 39 years old.
iRunFar: How is like with a child and training? How do you fit the two together?
Hernando: I’m having less time than last year, but I’m using more the light for training. So, I’m training at different times than last year, but I’m doing quite well.
iRunFar: Is your child here?
Hernando: No, I came before with my wife and children, and I was training, but they couldn’t come with me for this, because it’s quite stressing for them.
iRunFar: So you’ve run the course?
Hernando: Yes, I came a month ago, and we were training with almost the same path and the same profile. It won’t be the same, but I feel comfortable with it.
iRunFar: The last few years, we see you all the time at Transvulcania Ultramarathon and Zegama. This year you had a different schedule. Why is that?
Hernando: I can’t be in all the races I would like to, but of course, I’d like to run them. There’s a time where I can’t run before being here, and it was the aim of this year to run here at the IAU Trail World Championships. Being in the Spanish Federation, there was a time before this race I cannot run.
iRunFar: Not being able to run the same races, do you have the same confidence going into this race?
Hernando: Every year I have less and less confidence, because there are better rivals. There are famous rivals, but there are more and more names you don’t know and they just appear. They can come from everywhere.
iRunFar: You’re an amazing runner at 80k. How do you feel at 50k on a less technical course?
Hernando: When I was younger, I used to train and also compete in shorter races like vertical k or 40k distance races. Right now, I’m sure I will have done it better when I was younger, but I have been training specifically for this kind of race. I’m sure I will do better if it was an 80k race, but with that kind of training, I can do it well.
iRunFar: You feel fast now?
Hernando: Better. It’s 50k, so it’s not a normal path.
iRunFar: Every year, the Spanish team is very strong at the World Championships. Do you think the men can win this year?
Hernando: It’s more possible for the Spanish team to win as a team than for individuals.
iRunFar: Good luck. Thank you.
Hernando: Thank you.
