The objective of Byron Piedra, South American champion of 10,000 meters, is to be at the Tokyo Olympics, rescheduled for mid-2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, the athlete is recovering from a muscle overload, caused by the irregularity of last year, which forced him to train in unsuitable terrain for the discipline, and he is preparing to return to his peak physical condition. He could be discharged today and would not reappear until April.
What was the reason for the rehabilitation you were doing?
I had an injury in my hamstrings and calves. I have been in rehabilitation for two months, hoping to be able to return to training this year.
How much time is left for recovery?
I'm almost ready. On Monday (today) I will have an evaluation and could be discharged. It has been a long process, I have worked on muscle strength and tone, which was a bit lost in my right leg.
Were you able to participate in any competition in 2020?
No. I had planned to participate in the Valencia Marathon (December 6), but the injury prevented me from being there.
How did you experience the moments during the sports hiatus?
Before the pandemic, everything was fine. I was going to participate in a marathon in April, but in March all events were suspended and everything was postponed.
Was your preparation able to improve once sports competitions resumed?
It was gradual. But the placement of the plates (vehicle restrictions) made it difficult to travel to remote areas of the city, which is best for training.
What's coming up for this year?
I am waiting for the marathons, I am focused on the long-distance races. The new restrictions have caused certain marathons to be postponed, so I can't specify a particular one. But I hope to compete on April 15 in Argentina.
Will you be able to reach one hundred percent of your level for this race?
Maybe not one hundred percent, but I could be prepared. It takes about six months to be at the top of one's abilities, but in three months I believe I can do a good job. The break sometimes helps high-performance athletes, because we hardly have any rest, this can be good for me and I can take off.
In March, in an interview with this newspaper, you mentioned that there were no qualifications to think about the Olympics, has this changed?
The marathon in Argentina is currently the only one that could give you direct qualification for Tokyo. But anyway, I hope there will be an opportunity to run in Europe, where I could achieve a good time.
Is there a possibility of being at the Tokyo Olympics?
Everything depends on how things go in the coming months. I can't say anything in advance, but I really want to train well and be at the same level as before the pandemic. There are possibilities (to qualify).
Could it be said that your goal is to reach Tokyo?
Definitely.
What is important to maintain a certain competitive level over the years?
Practice is not just about going out for a run. Invisible training is very important in high-performance sports. The "secret" is to have a good recovery system, that is, after training well, you need to get massages, eat well, stay hydrated, and rest as necessary. All of that environment makes you feel good, it's worthless to say that you train well but fail in nutrition or rest. (D)