Chatting with Olympian Matt Hughes
Matt Hughes has the Canadian record in the men's 3,000m steeplechase. We asked him a bit about his event heading in to Rio.
This interview appeared in our July/ August issue.
Event: 3,000m steeplechase, Canadian record holder (8:11.64)
Canadian Running: Provide us with an idea of what the hardest training session will be to prep for Rio.
Matt Hughes: The last three months leading into the Olympics, I will do a “specific session” every 12 days, which is often harder than the actual race I run.
CR: What do you think the hardest event is at the Games?
MH: The steeplechase of course! Three kilometres, 35-, 36-inch barriers (which don’t move), seven of which are water jumps. Actually, equestrian seems hard.
CR: Do you visualize being in Rio in your training?
MH: Of course! Visualization is key. If you can’t see yourself winning, how can you believe?
CR: What’s the best part about being an Olympian?
MH: Knowing you’re a part of fewer than one per cent of the world who pushes their bodies to the limit on a regular basis.
Did you know?
The steeplechase originated as cross-country races across the countryside, where runners would have to jump low stone walls and streams.
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