'I'm terrified'- Gabby Thomas gears up for gruesome season opener

Three-time Olympic champion Gabby Thomas is gearing up for an ambitious start to her 2025 season, set to open at the first Slam of the Inaugural Grand Slam Track in April.

The event, taking place in Kingston, Jamaica, marks a significant step in Thomas’ campaign as she looks to build on her stellar 2024 season.

As part of her commitment to the Grand Slam Track series, Thomas is preparing to compete in multiple distances—some of which push her beyond her usual 100m and 200m specialties.

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This shift in approach has prompted her to seek out new training methods, including a workout session with renowned middle-distance runner Nikki Hiltz.

"I am going to do one of Nikki's workouts on Tuesday. I am terrified," Thomas admitted during a recent episode of A Touch More with Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe.

"I'm bringing my group for backup, but it should be interesting."

Thomas, known for her explosive speed in short sprints, is stepping into unfamiliar territory with Hiltz’s training regimen.

The workouts, structured around high-volume interval running, are vastly different from the high-intensity, short-distance sprints she is accustomed to.

"I think we run an average of 2,500–3,000 meters a day, broken up into intervals," she explained.

"On longer days, we run about 3,000 meters—maybe Monday and Friday. Then Tuesday and Thursday are intense sprinting days."

For Thomas, the biggest challenge lies in endurance-based sprint training, particularly longer interval reps.

"The longest we go is probably your short sprint day. The 6x400—I’ve never run anything longer than a 400 in training. Other than my mile time trial, which was awful," she admitted.

While she remains focused on her signature events, this training shift suggests Thomas is leaving no stone unturned in her quest for continued dominance.

With her season opener in April fast approaching, all eyes will be on how these new training elements translate to the track.

As Thomas takes on this grueling preparation, one thing is clear—her pursuit of excellence is relentless.