Brian Sell doesn't need much of an introduction. He virtually has come from nowhere to the front of US distance running. After his first Olympic Marathon Trials in 04', he has been on a tear. After notching personal best over and over again in the marathon and a top 10 finish at the World Championship in 05', Sell is ready to roll at these trials.
RM: How excited are you for the Olympic Marathon Trials and why? Do you look at the Trials as just another marathon? What do they mean to you?BS: I am very excited. The trials only happen once every four years, and it is a chance to represent the USA on the world's biggest stage.
RM: What has changed with your running since the last Trials? What changes have made the biggest difference in your fitness?BS: We have been doing pretty much the same workouts, but on a hillier course at Stoney Creek. I think the extra hills help with our strength and teach us how to run hills more efficiently.
RM: What is your biggest advantage to doing well going into the Trials and why?BS: I think I will have more miles in my legs than anybody on the line November 3. I don't know if that will be an advantage or not, but hopefully I will have the strength to finish hard.
RM: What would it take to make you walk away from the Trials disappointed and why? What would it take to allow you to walk away content from the Trials and why?BS: Top 3 would be great. I would love to represent the US in the Olympics. Anything other than that will be disappointing.
RM: What are your thoughts on the level of competition that is going to be toeing the line for the Trials? BS: This is the strongest trials ever. We have the top 5 returning in good form from the 2004 trials, plus the addition of four sub 2:09 guys in Hall, Abdi, Khalid, and Mbrak. You could pick the top 4 fairly easily last time, but this year there are about 10 favorites with another 10 or so that could have a breakout performance like Trent did last year.
RM: How many more Olympic Marathon Trials do you see yourself competing in down the road and why?BS: This will probably be it. I picked a rough year to put all my chips on the table, but my body is telling me that it is getting close to retirement.
