The Philippines’ lone entry to the 5,000-meter run in the 2012 London Olympics, all set to raise curtains on July 28, said he continues to train hard and without let-up for weeks now, but his coaching staff intends to wind down his daily drills as the day of reckoning draws nearer.
The objective is to preserve Rene Hererra‘s strength, both mental and physical and hopefully be able to come up with an inspiring showing, despite his slim chance of winning a medal.
The best he could do is, perhaps, improve on his personal record in 5,000-meter run at 14:51.40 which he registered at the Philippine National Games in Bacolod last year.
The 33-year old Herrera, from the island province of Guimaras in Western Visayas, is a five-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.
Hererra, does not want to squander precious time so that his handlers try to build up on his mental toughness, believing it will help their ward overcome feelings of inferiority as the unforgiving opposition is really star-studded and daunting. The Filipino hopeful is made to view videos of his world-class opponents as part of his mental training aimed at motivating him to push himself to the limits.
“I earnestly desire to reach the status of famous athletes, and I promise not to recoil on the big day,” Hererra said, his spirit unflagging.