Despite an American Record, Lagat Not Satisfied

He wanted to go sub-12:50 in the 5000m.

Practically any runner breaking their own American record would be tickled with the result. But not Bernard Lagat. The former Kenyan, nw an American citizen, wishes he had run under 12:50 for 5000m at the Diamond League Herculis Meeting in Monaco on Friday. Instead, Lagat bettered his own American record with a 12:53.60.

“I do have mixed emotions,” Lagat said afterwards. “I’m happy that I was able to lower my personal best by a little bit, but I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t get what I planned to do all season. I’m disappointed because I have always wanted to run super-fast, and these opportunities don’t come around often in my event.”

In that race in Monaco, Lagat was defeated by Mo Farah who broke both a meet and British record.

In the race, Lagat felt like his time goal was doable at 1000 meters.

“I was like, ‘Oh man,’ and thought at best we were going 12:56,” he said. “I didn’t give up and told myself to keep fighting. I started to move up a little bit because I knew I had to try to do something, do anything possible to to get there.”

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