By Dhammika Ratnaweera
Hiruni Wijayaratne was one of the most dedicated Sri Lankan athletes was hoping to make it to the Tokyo Olympic Games. The 29-year-old Sri Lankan born athlete was training hard in the USA, but has now been stuck inside her newly built house in Colorado. She was placed 11th at the last Commonwealth Games marathon and she is ready to go forward with these difficulties. She has won two gold medals at 5000m and 10, 000 m at the last National championships followed by SAG marathon gold in Nepal. Hiruni holds Ten Sri Lankan National Records on road and track events. She first ran the Sri Lankan marathon record of 2:36:35 in Houston, Texas, USA during the 2018 Chevron Houston Marathon. She then renewed the Sri Lankan marathon record at the 2019 Düsseldorf Marathon, with a time of 2:34:10 which is also a South Asian Area Record.
She said with this coronavirus epidemic she utilizes her time to do workouts at home, as well as making videos
This is probably one of the toughest times an athlete but she is very keen to join with this interview.
Q-A s a result of COVID 19 whole world is coming to a total hold . Especially USA People are effecting very much with this virus. How did you think about this as an athlete?
A-As an athlete the COVID19 virus is a huge issue. I’ve been training my whole life to achieve and Olympic qualification. I was about 8 weeks from obtaining it. Then without any notice, every chance of doing so was taken away. I was very upset and sad at first. But now I realize than my Olympic dreams are not cancelled just postponed. I waited for 28 years, what’s one more for the sake of humanity
Q – As a long-distance runner how do you make your training schedule with these difficulties?
A–Long-distance running requires many hours of training outside. Due to restrictions in movement, I have to train very early morning or inside my home. I have a treadmill which is what I use most often now. I can not manage the same 160km weeks now. But I am still running around 100K.
Q- Especially how are you keep your fitness?
A–Due to no competitions there is no need for peak fitness. I run as mentioned inside the house of very close to the house early mornings. I also do several home workouts to maintain my strength. I am also keen on my diet.
Q – With this situation you have to stay at home and what type of daily schedule you plan to do?
A -I work from home full time now. My days begins at 5 am when I run for one hour. Then from 6:30am – 4:30pm I carry on with my job from home using my phone and computer. Then in the afternoon I will do a 30-45 minute home workout.
Q – You won the first Sri Lankan women’s marathon gold at SAG. what is your next ambition ?
A -Winning SAG gold for Sri Lanka is one of my proudest memories. My next ambition is bring home a Asian or Commonwealth Medal.
Q – Tokyo Olympics already postpone to one year with this Corona epidamic. You are very keen to get qualification for this event. What is your plan for next Olymics. with the result of the postpone of this big event how do you make your plan?
A –This week it was announced Olympic qualification will resume on December 1, 2020 and go through May 31, 2021 for the marathon event. In light of this news my plan is to race a marathon in Valencia Spain on December 5, 2020. This is on my birthdate, so I hope it will be lucky!
Q -Most of the upcoming athletics events have been postpone with this Corona -19 how mush you effect as a marathon runner for this ?
A -Cancellation or postponement of competition is hard for a marathon athlete. A 42K race is not something a person can run every weekend. It’s impossible. So we need chances and the chances need to be available for many months.
Q –With this difficulties you could not work with your coach and how did you get your traniing with out your coach?
A -I speak to my coach over the phone. As there is no immediate competitions not getting to see him is not a big deal.
Q – Can you explain our door and indoor training difference to develop the skills ?
A –Indoor training is in a small space. It’s very boring as the mind can not see beyond the walls in the house. I can’t run 21K in my house as I usually can outside in one day.
Q – As an experienced athlete what type of advice to the Sri Lankan athletes at this moment ?
A -My advice to other athletes is that I share their anger and frustration. However we all have to do our part so we can resume what we enjoy the most – competition and sports. I encourage athletes to stay fit any way they can and always be keen to keep up their health.
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