Galen Rupp is keeping all of his options open for the time being but said he will decide in the next couple of weeks whether to run in the U.S. Olympic Trials marathon in Houston on Jan. 14.
Rupp said Wednesday that he is seriously considering running in the Trials marathon — which would be his first marathon — and perhaps try to qualify in the 10,000 meters as well.
“I’ve been going back and forth, kind of toying with the idea,” he said. “The half marathon I did (March 20) ended up kind of being a last-minute (decision) and it went alright. So I’m definitely not afraid of the idea. I’m excited about it actually.”
However, if Rupp and coach Alberto Salazar decide to forgo the marathon for now, he could attempt the 5,000/10,000 double at the track and field trials in Eugene. He hasn’t ruled that out, either.
“I’ve been doing a lot of workouts with Dathan (Ritzenhein) and I’ve been hanging on really well on longer stuff,” Rupp said. “He’s in great shape, and healthy, and doing a lot of strength work. So, it makes me (think) ‘Leave that option open.’”
The schedule at the 2012 Games in London could work in Rupp’s favor if he decides to double because the 10,000 meters comes near the start of the track and field competition (Aug. 4). The marathon is eight days later (Aug. 12).
“It’s a doable double, and it would still allow (me) to put everything into the 10K, which is my best event probably,” he said.
Rupp’s training partner, British champion Mo Farah, left earlier this week for a month-long training camp in Kenya — something Farah has done in the past and wanted to continue.
Rupp will likely go to train in Albuquerque, N.M. next month — unless he runs in Houston.
