Sable’s Record-Breaking Feat at Paris Diamond League: This season, Avinash Sable started with a clear head and an even clearer plan: train intelligently rather than arduously. The 28-year-old steeplechaser discovered this during his time training at the prestigious Colorado Springs Olympic Training Centre in the United States. Sable has only competed in three steeplechase events this year, one of which being the Paris Diamond League, where he broke the national record for the 3000m steeplechase for the tenth time in his career.
“This year was different from previous years, when I would compete in as many tournaments as possible and break national records in various disciplines. I just concentrated on working out hard, and I’ve never felt better about my physique. I’m at my greatest professional state right now. When Sable was in Panchkula for the Interstate meet last month, he spoke with confidence. “I am running faster, jumping over hurdles more smoothly, and have more kick in the last leg of the race,” Sable said.
At Panchkula, he easily won the gold medal with a time of 8:31.75 seconds. Sable didn’t appear particularly tired even after the demanding 3000m competition. “I considered this race to be a warm-up. Furthermore, I had no idea how far ahead I was because no one was there to push or pursue me. “Koi tha heen nahi aas paas” (No one was following me),” the speaker in Panchkula remarked. However, things were very different in Paris. Sable faced a top-tier field that will almost certainly be in the starting lineup for the Olympics in a few weeks.
In a fast race that saw five of the top six finishers record new personal bests, he ran his first sub-8:10s (8:09.91s) and still placed a solid sixth. While Sable doesn’t give much thought to “superficial things” like national records, he feels more confident after a strong performance in the race leading up to the major event.
In addition to intense training, Sable has drastically altered his nutrition. Because they train so hard to burn calories, middle-distance runners may be able to indulge in the occasional burger or fizzy drink. The army man did profit from the free pass in the past, but he was unwilling to take any chances leading up to the Olympics.
“I’m really addicted to sweets. Anything sweet is something I adore. I used to love ice cream and drink a lot of milkshakes. Oh, and I used to get out for lunch every week, usually some kind of burger. Everything is off the table right now. just sugar-free coffee. It’s really not enjoyable. Sable scowled and remarked, “These limitations are more difficult to cope with than training.
Sable may be the greatest steeplechaser the nation has ever seen and a world-class athlete, but to his mother, he will always be the small kid who adores candy. “I can’t help but nibble on these sweets that my mum cooks at home. I try not to go home because of that, among other reasons. She once stated to me, “I should have some sweets for energy because I look weak,” he said.
Paul Chelimo, who won bronze and silver medals at the Olympics in addition to a bronze in the 5000 at the World Championship in Colorado Springs, is one of the athletes Sable trains with. Sable has been impacted by the mindset of world-class athletes as much as their training techniques. He acquired the skill of not taking “sports so seriously.” It could appear from an out-of-context reading that Sable has lost his passion or enthusiasm in the game, but the Diamond League effort dispels that idea.
“In the past, I was unable to keep my personal life and sports separate. I would alter my entire regimen if I had a rough day on the pitch. It was exhausting for me to bring the issues from the track into my daily life. I observed how athletes in the US would simply brush off a bad day. They were beaming moments after the race, as if nothing had happened. I understood there is life outside of athletics by watching them,” he remarked.
Sable could train more effectively now that he didn’t have to worry as much about the outcome. The Maharashtra athlete has begun to peak nearer the Olympics, just as anticipated at the beginning of the season.
