MUSSE & SAMUEL TO MUNICH

YMR Track Club’s running stars Mustafa “Musse” Mohamed and Samuel Pihlström head off for theEuropean Athletics Championships. Musse ran his first major international championship before Samuel was born, so it’s two different profiles that we had a quick chat with just before they leave for Munich.

Musse will run the marathon on Monday 15 August and Samuel will run the heats of the 1500m the same day. Mustafa is the Swedish record holder in the 3000m steeplechase 8:05.75 and in the marathon with 2:10.04. Samuel is the Swedish Champion in the 1500m and has run a PB of 3:37.23 this year.

HEY GUYS, HOW IS EVERYTHING AHEAD OF YOUR TRIP?

Samuel:

“Everything feels great! My training has been very good lately and I am sticking to the plan I have set up. I haven’t had any injuries or been sick this year, so I feel very much in shape”
Mustafa Mohamed YMR Track Club

MUSSE:

“I feel very good, I must say. The injuries that I had earlier in the summer, are all gone and my shape is good”. The latest weeks, I have run 8-9 running sessions/week together with two really tough quality sessions. The last week has been much more easy to get my body fresh and ready.

WHAT KIND OF TARGETS DO YOU HAVE SET UP?

Samuel:

My goal is to reach the final. It will be tough for me as I haven’t competed at this level before. I haven’t seen the start lists yet, but as soon as I have seen them, I will set up my tactics.

Musse:

I would really do my best to reach top 10 individually, but there is also a team competition. We have a strong Swedish team and if everything goes well I think we could surprise everyone. It will be important to stick to my race plan plan and play it cool. The heat might also be an issue as it’s been very warm in Europe this year.

WHAT DOES THE RESY OF YOUR SEASON LOOK LIKE?

Samuel:

"I only have one more race planned and that is the classic battle 'Finnkampen' between Sweden and Finland"

Musse:

"I have nothing else planned. All my focus is on the European Championships"

The European Championships were held in Munich 20 years ago, in 2002. You were in great shape then, but missed on the championships at an age of 23.

Now you have qualified at the age of 43! How is that possible?

"I have been able to keep my motivation and I have found a balance between my training and life in general. I also have a great team with my family, coach, physio therapists and friends that I run with. And of course you guys at YMR Track Club"

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