Svetlana Mironova was, undeniably,
one of the biggest revelations of last season, by winning the Long
Distance title at the WOC in Italy. Now, that “a new season is
starting and it's time to forget the past and start to work again”,
as she says, the Portuguese Orienteering Blog talk to her, trying to
understand her ambitions and goals to 2015.
You made history last WOC, achieving
for Russia the first individual gold medal ever in the women class.
How present is that moment in your mind?
Svetlana Mironova (S. M.) – I
worked really hard last year and I'm so glad for my family, my coach
and my sport-school, my city and my country, that we had reached such
great success together. It was very important to all of us. Actually,
I didn't feel extremely satisfied that day after the race and it's
the same today. I just feel satisfaction for my work and for the
quality of my orienteering at WOC. But a new season is starting and
it's time to forget the past and start to work again.
How important was the Long Distance
title for your career?
S. M. - First of all, I've got
great confidence in myself. It is amazing to find that you can be one
of the best orienteers in the world. I was chosen as IOF Athlete of
Month, in autumn, and I won the “Athlete of Year 2014” title in
my home region (Nizhni Novgorod). This is, of course, a really big
motivation to continue training and improving. The last title gives
additional opportunities to improve orienteering in my region and my
success made orienteering more popular in my city and in whole
Russia. I'm very happy for that.
How “heavy” is your gold medal?
S. M. - I feel now much more
attention to my person, which used to be very unusual to me. Soon
after the WOC 2014, my friends laughed at me when I was asked every
time by strangers who greeted or waved at me. I really didn't
understand from where they knew me (laughs). But I like to meet
people, to communicate... I didn't think too much about this, yet. I
just do what I love to do now - I run orienteering!
You started the season in Australia,
in the beginning of January. How did you feel running so early in the
year and in the other side of the planet? How do you evaluate the
experience?
S. M. - Australia was amazing! I
was so happy just visiting it, to see the kangaroos and other native
animals, birds, etc, so I think it was at least as important as to
run World Cup. But I've never run such an important competition in
January. It was very hard for me, because I finished previous season
just in November with Russian Championships. My coach and I decided
to take it easy, and don't think about the World Cup's results too
much. Of course, I wasn't in the best shape, but I got great
experience out of it, because the terrain wasn't easy and every
course was technical and difficult. It was also difficult to change
the time zone in 8 hours, when you feel unable to wake up in
the morning and can't go to bed in the evening...but it just takes
time for adaptation.
How do you feel your shape at the
moment? What is good and what do you need to improve?
S. M. - Well... It is better to
ask my coach (laughs). I trust her, and I think that it is too early
to evaluate my shape.
What are your next important steps
before the WOC?
S. M. - I must run the selection
races if I want to run more than one race at WOC. And I've already
planned the World Cup in June. And of course, Tiomila and Jukola will
be important for me and my club.
What will be the key to succeed at
WOC?
S. M. - I don't know, I've never
been in Scotland before. I don't know what kind of terrain is there,
I hope I will do a Training Camp there and will try to recognize what
key is necessary (laughs). I suppose that the terrain will be
everything but easy, both technically and for running. It makes me
think that WOC will be very exciting!
In the beginning of a new season, I
would ask you to make a wish to all orienteers all over the world.
S. M. - I wish to all orienteers
to enjoy our beautiful and clever sport and do it very well!
Joaquim Margarido
No comments:
Post a Comment