Pat Carroll 

         Unplugged Lee Troop
Exclusive patcarrollonline.com interview

Page 3

PC: Steve Moneghetti has guided you through recent years. In describing your association with Steve would you lean more towards classing him as your Coach or your Mentor?

LT: He is definitely more my advisor/mentor. I map out my own training/racing and then sit down with him to discuss it. He is a great planner and very meticulous and we come up with a plan that sits well with both of us. I want to always do more and he always suggests I do less, so we get a good compromise in the middle.
 

"Thinking my career was nearly over....."

PC: You were unlucky with injuries during 2000 - 2002, however you have turned the corner in the last couple of years with some great performances. Is there anything that you changed in your training that has contributed to your consistency? 

LT: Yes, I have learned to respect my body more and be PATIENT. A lot of my latter injuries were from trying to get back into running too quickly from having a previous injury.

I pushed too many boundaries and came unstuck. I am much more relaxed and roll with the flow.

I guess nearly retiring and thinking my career was nearly over in late 2001 has had a profound affect on me. I enjoy the moment more.

Lee Troop's Marathon career

PC: It is now less than two weeks out from London. How are you feeling?

LT: I am feeling good. My training this year has been fantastic and the couple of races I have run have all been what I expected off the work I have been doing.
 

3 reasons why I chose London

PC: Was there any particular reason you chose London over Boston or Rotterdam?

LT: There were a couple of reasons:

1) It will have the best/deepest field, which assures a fast time,

2) This is where I débuted in 1999. I have fond memories of it. After everything I have been through, I wanted a race that would be symbolic. What better way to show that I am back on the world stage than the place where it started for me,

3) Not as important but counts is that it pays more and my appearance fee was better.

PC:  How important is a good run in the London Marathon to you in comparison to this years Athens Olympics?

LT: They are both equally important. The city races are about time, and the Championship races are about position.

If London does not go well, it will not affect me for Athens, as I know the race will be different. Though having a good London will put my mind at ease a little bit to show I am finally on the right track.

Goal is to break De Castella's record

PC: You have come out publicly recently and stated that your main goal at London is to break Rob De Castella's Australian record of 2.07.51, set when he won the Boston Marathon in 1986.

Do you feel any pressure on yourself by making this statement?

LT: I feel no pressure as what will be, will be. I have stated that "I would like to break it", which is clearly different from "I will break it". I am under no illusion as to how hard it will be, but I am prepared to have a real hard go at it.

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