Last place in the world class field
Klosterhalfen puzzles over disappointing performance
7/3/2023 1:17 p.m
The first test after the change of training group and outfitter does not succeed. At the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm, Konstanze followed Klosterhalfen and finished last. There is still a lot of work to be done before the World Cup – and the search for why.
Konstanze Klosterhalfen not only seemed at a loss, she also expressed her incomprehension. “I don’t know what was going on,” said the European champion over 5000 meters on the Sky microphone after running after her disappointing start to the season over this same route. The world’s best, but also their own requirements. In 15:13.06 minutes, the 26-year-old finished 14th and last at the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm. She was almost 40 seconds behind winner Beatrice Chebet from Kenya (14:36.52). When she won the European Championships last year in Munich, Klosterhalfen ran a time of 14:50.47, her best time is 14:26.76 and is also a German record.
“The training went well so far, we had two really good months at altitude,” Klosterhalfen gave a little insight into her competition preparations, before she stated, looking at the early tearing away from the leading group and the disappointing time: “We have to find out the reasons find out now.” Together with coach Alistair Cragg, to whom she had switched from Nike to Puma before the start of the season as part of a supplier change. They had left Pete Julian’s training group on the west coast of the USA behind and moved thousands of kilometers east to North Carolina.
There, on the grounds of Wake Forest University, the exceptional runner started the summer season at the end of April. The times of 2:05.98 minutes over 800 meters and 4:06.98 minutes over 1500 meters suggested that there was still a long way to go to be in top form – however, the highlight of the year with the World Championships in Budapest will only take place from 19 to 27 . After that, Klosterhalfen competed in the Diamond League over 1500 meters in Doha at the beginning of May and finished ninth in 4:05.63 minutes. She had then returned to the United States for training and had her Athlete Profile at World Athletics according to no more competitions until the start in Stockholm.
“There is definitely still work to be done,” Klosterhalfen said about eight weeks ago in Doha, but also felt that he “did quite well”. The conclusion this time was far less positive. For the German Championships next weekend (July 8th/9th), Klosterhalfen is only registered over 800 meters. However, she has already met the norm for Budapest in the 5000m and should be all but certain of her nomination.