Photo above by Victah Sailer: Bob Kennedy at the 2004 USATF Cross Country Championships, held February in Indianapolis, IN. Kennedy won the Men's 12K title with a time of 35:03. www.photorun.net

Bob Kennedy Checks In With Notes On His Training
Allan Steinfeld, race director, introduced Bob Kennedy during a teleconference call on Thursday, September 23, with media that included Mike Sandrock (Daily Camera, Boulder), Peter Gambaccini (Runner's World online) and David Woods (Indianapolis Star): "Bob has had his triumphs and disappointments during a long and distinguished athletic career, [which includes being the only American to break 13:00 for 5000 meters on the track - he set the current record of 12:58.21 in Zurich, Switzerland during 1996]. This summer he pulled off the track [with an Achilles tendon injury sustained during practice a few weeks earlier, a "freak injury"] in Sacramento during the men's 10,000 meters Olympic Trials race on July 9th. But every dark cloud has its silver lining and Bob will make his long awaited marathon debut at age 34 at the ING NYC Marathon on November 7th. He has been preparing for the event under coach Dieter Hogen in Boulder, CO with a small group of Kenyan marathoners in a thorough and detailed fashion.

Bob Kennedy of Indianapolis, IN first announced his intention to run in NYC on May 12th "I've thought about the marathon for some time, but have not felt as though the time was right for this new challenge until now. It's an honor to have the opportunity to take this next step in my athletic career at one of the world's greatest footraces, the ING NYC Marathon." He planned to focus on two events for 2004, the Olympics 10,000 meters and the November marathon in New York City. The year started on a positive note with a 12K National Cross Country title in February with a time of 35:03, in a race that included 2004 Olympians Robert Gary (steeplechase), Alan Webb (1500m) and Abdi Abdirahman (10,000m). He set a personal best in the 10,000m track on April 30 at the Cardinal Invitational at Stanford University of 27:37.45, where he placed fifth behind Meb Keflezighi (2004 Olympic Marathon silver medallist) and Abdi Abdirahman.

His Achilles tendon injury during the summer was treated promptly after the Olympics Trials and Kennedy resumed training two weeks later. "That's the way the cookie crumbles." Spectacular preparations went off-track during a 6 x 1 mile hard track interval session; his (aerobic) engine was too powerful for his older body. Athletes learn to compensate for the aging process through trial and error.

Kennedy trained under the guidance of Marcus O'Sullivan during his long track career that included two Olympic teams in 1992 and 1996. He has not raced any distance greater than 12K and has rarely competed in a road race, so his preparation for the New York theatre requires a radical new approach with a highly successful coach, Dieter Hogen. Hogen fled East Germany with Uta Pippig before the reunification of Germany in 1990 and guided her to Boston Marathon titles during the early 1990s (see Mike Sandrock's Running With Legends, 1996 for further information). "The marathon is brand new for me and I have complete faith in Dieter Hogen, who is dictating every aspect of my preparation and racing strategy." Hogen has a clear understanding of what works, with 15 years of experience preparing athletes for the marathon; he offers a life encompassing program that covers all aspects: sleep, nutrition throughout the day, massage, training. He is very knowledgeable.

When asked what advice he would give to anyone else jumping up to the marathon, Kennedy responded that at the elite level where rigorous training with weekly mileage exceeds 100 miles, recovery is essential and almost requires more time and effort than the actual workouts. The high volume of mileage makes the marathon difficult, the body has to hold up - it's similar to the Indianapolis 500 or Formula One racing - the quality of performance is high, the engine is powerful (lungs, heart). Get plenty of sleep, including a nap during the day if needed. His training partners above 8,000 feet near Boulder, CO on Magnolia Road are current Boston Marathon champion Tim Cherigat and Tanzanian John Yuda - they are both in fantastic shape and push Kennedy hard. Typical mileage is 200 kilometers (120 miles) per week, 2 weeks hard, 1 week easy. Long runs cover up to 22 miles.

Photos by Victah Sailer, www.photorun.net: The 2003 ING New York City Marathon winners were two modest Kenyans trained by Dr Rosa in Italy and sponsored by Fila. Left: Margaret Okayo (#5) was one of four women who entered Manhattan in contention for the title. Right: Martin Lel rocketed past his marathon companion during the final mile to grab a clear win. Race director Allan Steinfeld held the finish banner tape.

Kennedy has chosen the ING New York City Marathon for his debut because he enjoys competing on large stages, it offers a good field of athletes, is a traditional event going back to the 1970s and is well-known in the USA. The course is difficult and great for a rookie because the field won't go out ridiculously fast during the first half. He will be time-focused through the half and follow Dieter's plan - he understands Bob's capability and won't send him out too fast. It would be suicide to go out too fast: for example, a goal of 2:12 means 1:03/half is completely foolish.

Meb Keflizighi has achieved the dream of every athlete, he is the Olympic silver medallist and the guy to beat now. Bob Kennedy is proud of his American colleague. Kennedy talked to Keflizighi after the 10,000 meters in Sacramento, where the media seemed more concerned with the veteran's Achilles injury and DNF than with Keflizighi's victory. It's tough for the new man, it takes time for the news media to learn about a new champion, but there is no rivalry between Bob and Meb.

Bob Kennedy and his wife are expecting twins during early 2005 and he is co-owner with Ashley Johnson of the Running Company stores in Indianapolis. "Although training hard makes for a tight schedule, Bob has always made it a priority to give his time to various groups, sharing his thoughts and philosophies on running, training and motivation." He has a B.S. in finance from Indiana University and displays a talent for marketing the sport of long distance running with his genial and open manner.

Listening to him speak of his plans generates a feeling of enthusiasm and love of running--veteran marathoners Keith Dowling of Reston, VA and 5-time Marathon Olympic Trials qualifier Darrell General generate a similar sense of excitement with a low key attitude and dedication.

Bob Kennedy hopes to have a great marathon experience in New York City and pursue the event further. In the marathon, he understands that it is important to "hang in there" because anything is possible. He always toes the start line with the possibility of winning the race, but patience is utmost--any burst of speed would come much later than 18 miles, he is very respectful of the distance. Kennedy exhibits the same cautious and dedicated approach that Deena Kastor used during the past three years; Kastor debuted in the 2001 New York City Marathon and gradually brought her time down to the current American record of 2:21:16.

Who Is On the New York City Playbill for November?

Announced Entrants for the ING New York City Marathon


Female Athletes


American Deena Kastor
Dutch Lornah Kiplagat (2:23:43 at the 2003 ING NYC Marathon)
Australian Benita Johnson (IAAF World Cross Country 2004 Champion)
Mexican Madai Perez



Male Athletes


Americans Meb Keflizighi
          Dan Browne
          Abdi Abdirahman
          Keith Dowling, (Reston, VA)
          Chris Graff (Coach Gagliano)
          Matt Downin (top American in 2003 ING NYC Marathon)
          Ryan Shay
Dutch Kamiel Maase (2:08:31 national record)

The ING New York City Marathon offered Catherine Ndereba as part of its cast of stars in 2003. Photo by Victah Sailer, www.photorun.net.