Herrera back to 3,000m after failed bid

LONDON – Middle and long distance runner Rene Herrera said he would put on hold his training in the 5,000 meters where he competed in the 30th Olympic Games to concentrate on the 3,000 m steeplechase for next year’s Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar.

“I competed in the 5,000m because I had the best performance this year (in the Philippines),” said the 33-year-old Herrera, who finished 21st and last in the first round of the 5,000m in London.

His time of 14:44.11k, which was over a minute behind the qualifying time of 13:26.16, at least improved his personal best of 14:51.50.

“I was the best performer last year. The 5,000m is also my event, and my best performance last year brought me to London,” he said.

Herrera hopes to be able to defend his title in the 3,000m steeplechase although he wouldn’t mind competing in the 5,000m if this is held two days after the 3,000m steeplechase.

Herrera will be competing in the 21k International Marathon in Korea but once back in the Baguio Training Camp, training will be all road work with twice weekly workout in the 3,000m steeplechase at the oval.

“Kailangan din namin ang endurance training. I also train in the 10k and 21k but I would like to concentrate on the 3,000m steeplechase because I also would like to improve my time for the Asian Games (2014 in Incheon, Korea),” he said.

“But this year I haven’t participated in any road race, even if I wanted to because of the prize money, because I had to prepare for London,” he said.

Although already 33, Herrea says he still has what it takes to be at the top of his event at the SEA Games level.

“I’m still okay. Many have already reached 37 or 38 and still remain champions,” he said. “It all depends on how far you can go in training.”

“Of course I would like to improve my time (8:49) and I think I can do it and win the Asian Games gold before I retire,” he added. “But this requires long-term preparation.”