Claudia Peretti, Italian champion and one of the world's top marathon runners – who won this year's HERO – has achieved a prestigious goal: the silver medal at the Marathon World Championships. This result was sought, prepared for, and built upon in the weeks leading up to the race, including a period of altitude training in Cervinia.
"Obviously, I'm very happy with this second place. Honestly, I had prepared for this race to win a medal: that was the goal."
Claudia Peretti doesn't hide her satisfaction. Second place in the world championship didn't come by chance, but rather through a carefully planned approach to arrive at the start in the best possible condition.
Two weeks in Cervinia thinking only about the World Championships
To prepare for the World Championships, Peretti chose Cervinia, where he spent two weeks training.
"It's a place where I know I can train well and that I really like. I've been alone most of the time, and that's also something that helps me, because I can really focus on my goals. Everything I do, I do for myself, and I can put all my energy into training, without getting lost in other things."
The feelings going into the race were positive, but in marathons – and especially in a World Championship – knowing you're feeling good offers no guarantee.
I arrived knowing I was in good shape. But, as you know, just because you're feeling good doesn't mean you can finish the race. You might have mechanical problems, or the sensations you had in training might not be a good indicator of the outcome. Luckily, I was feeling good that day, and I realized it right away on the first climb: I had good legs.
Choosing the front: advantage on the way up, price to pay on the way down
One of Peretti's most interesting decisions during the race was her bike. The Italian chose to race with a front-wheel, while her other main rivals rode full suspension bikes.
A choice that clearly influenced his race conduct.
"On the climbs, I had an advantage over the other girls, who were all riding full suspension. On the descents, however, I lost a bit, but what I lost on the descent, I was able to make up for easily on the climbs."
At the end of the race, however, Peretti is still not completely sure that it was the best solution.
"I still don't know if it was the right choice. I went really slowly, especially on the last descent, because my hands were starting to hurt too. It's a very stiff bike, and it doesn't allow you to recover much on descents."
A medal that also serves as redemption
Beyond the technical considerations, this result holds particular significance for Claudia Peretti's season. It's her first World Championship medal and comes after the disappointment of the European Championships, another event she had invested heavily in.
"I'm already happy with this second place: I'd never won a medal at the World Championships. Plus, the European Championships went badly this year too. I had really hoped for it and thought I'd prepared well, but instead I finished fourth, and it hurt not to bring home a medal."
A disappointment that, instead of weighing on the end of the season, became an extra motivation.
«I really needed to make up for it and that's why I prepared for the World Cup».
Mission accomplished: after her victory at the HERO and the Italian title, Claudia Peretti adds a world championship medal to her season, the first of her career.
