Moen in 12th place in the EC
Sondre Nordstad Moen from Trondheim placed 12th in the half marathon below European Athletics Championships in Rome on Sunday morning. He became the best Norwegian over this distance with a time of 1.02.03. The Italian Crippa Yemaneberhan became European champion.
It was a disappointing placement for the 33-year-old from Trønder. He hung on to the tight group during the first half of the race and was in 8th place after ten kilometers.
Then it got more complicated. After covering 15 kilometers, Nordstad Moen had fallen to 14th place, and was now 18 seconds behind the leader.
The time difference grew further towards the end, but the Norwegian gained two places.
– I won’t make up any excuses. It wasn’t a good day, but I should have been further ahead. There are a few points that I cannot address here and now, and which were beyond my control. And then we can only look forward to the Olympics, Nordstad Moen told NRK somewhat enigmatically.
– What was wrong?
– I can’t answer that now.
The distance runner was aiming to finish in the top five and said before the race that he would be disappointed if he didn’t make the top ten.
In the interview area with other Norwegian media, he explained further what the problem was. He admitted he was a little “heavy in training” and not in great shape, but he also talked a lot about shoes.
– It’s just a bit on the work tool, but I have control of it as the Olympics approach. It’s a year-round process where you work to get the best shoes possible. And it’s a wild ride. You have to have the best shoes if you want to keep up, he said before continuing:
– A shoe that works well when it’s 15 degrees can become a little soft when it’s 25.
– Whatever ?
– It’s stupid to say, but 20-30 seconds, maybe. So there is so much to say. Temperature has a lot to say. I’m not going to mention shoe brands and that sort of thing. It’s part of the game, he said, acknowledging:
– Anyway, I probably wouldn’t have been at the front. I’m not in good enough shape.
(NRK/NTB)
