2018 Waterfront 10K winner to run debut marathon
Sasha Gollish has competed at every distance from the 400m through the half-marathon, and with range that impressive, she has decided that challenge herself to the marathon
June 16th was a big day for Sasha Gollish. The Pan Am medalist won the 2018 Waterfront 10K in Toronto, in a course record of 33:03, and announced that she plans on running her marathon debut in the fall of 2018.
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Gollish’s training mantra is “test yourself” and the marathon will certainly test the track-and-road runner. Gollish has competed at every distance from the 400m through the half-marathon, and with that impressive range of distances, she has decided to challenge herself to race the marathon.
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In anticipation of her fall marathon, her training has changed drastically from when she was competing primarily at the 1,500m back in 2015. Gollish joked that “there are certainly no more 4x200m repeats with 30 seconds rest. I have shifted away from intensity, while still maintaining my stride.”
Gollish is a huge proponent of continuing to work on her form. “I do that by working hills and speed sessions into my training plan. Ross [her coach] and I have decided to continue to blend some faster stuff into my training, as it plays to my strengths.”
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Gollish has medaled both nationally and internationally on the track. When asked about what lessons she will bring from her track experience into the marathon she says, “Nothing is more painful than the last tap of an indoor 600m. I swear that the track gets bigger with 200m to go.”
“The sheer discomfort of that last 200m is transferable to the marathon,” she continues. “The 600m gets you acquainted with discomfort, so when it hits, you can work through it, instead of pretending that it’s not there. Pain has a longer onset period in longer races, but maximal discomfort is the same at the end.”
Another aspect of Gollish’s training that changed are her easy days. “On recovery days I now completely let go of my ego and run as slowly as I need to. Going easy on the easy days has made the hard days much better. It’s important to know the purpose of what you’re doing for the day. Am I trying to go fast, or recover?”
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Gollish was “overwhelmed by the love in Toronto yesterday.” She credits Lululemon for doing an amazing job with cheering stations, and the people of Toronto for showing so much support for the runners. Her experience Saturday reminded her of another aspect of her training mantra: “Stronger together.” Here’s what it means to her: “Positivity is a kind of magic drug, so keep cheering for one another. It’s important to not only surround yourself with really good teammates, but to also celebrate their successes.”
The marathon is important to Gollish because it upholds her training, and life mantra. “The marathon is part of that plan to test yourself, go after something that scares you, and the marathon scares me.”
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