Carideo’s strong 1:08 PDR finish keeps training plan on course

A fine showing like this confirms once again he’s on schedule to a possible U.S. Olympic Trials berth in the marathon for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games.

Considering the weather conditions were less than ideal for the Sept. 20 race, the 1:08 time might have been a little faster if the sun had been shining.

“I’ve been making progress,” he said in a telephone interview. “It’s been slow but steady progress the past few years. Obviously that (Los Angeles) would be the dream. That’s the ultimate goal.”

Carideo’s next big test is a race in Sacramento, Calif., followed by the California International Marathon in December.

He’s determined not to put too much pressure on himself.

“I just want to have fun with it,” he said. “Don’t want to worry about it too much.”

Carideo competes for the Leonia Track Club in northern New Jersey.

“It’s been working great for me,” Carideo said. “And for a lot of other people on the team as well. It’s had some Olympic Trials qualifiers in the past.”

Alex’s dad, Peter, is also an accomplished runner and does all that he can to help with his son’s running.

In the 2024 Indianapolis Marathon, Pete jumped on his bicycle and followed his son around the course, although he wasn’t allowed to interact because of coaching restrictions.

“It’s great,” Alex said. “He comes to all my races. He’s always supported me and my goals. I wouldn’t be nearly as committed or as competitive as I am if it weren’t for his support. It’s great to have him there.”

And it’s worth noting that the younger Carideo is keeping mental notes of the benefits of having a veteran presence for a runner’s training program. Who knows? He might be a coach himself one day.

“I’d always like to help anyone with anything running related,” he said. “I think I would make a good coach one day if I could handle it, be invested in a runner’s success.

“Running has its ups and downs. It’s tough, not only for the athletes but the coaches as well. I think I would be good at doing something like that if the opportunity comes around.”

Carideo ran the Chicago Marathon last fall and set a PR (about 40 seconds) with a 2:24, good for 72nd place. That result was promising but there’s still a lot of work to be done to get to the U.S. Trials.

“It was an improvement,” Carideo said. “It was only a PR by a few seconds but when you run a marathon, any improvement is significant. I thought I was in a little better shape than that but again, it was another day where the conditions were less than ideal.”

The Olympic qualifying time is 2:16. Carideo has run 1:08 for the half but he knows that time will have to come down in order to get close to the qualifier.

“I kind of know what that pace feels like,” he said. “It feels hard but maybe someday it’s possible.”

It’s a good goal to have as an incentive for daily training.

“It’s the discipline,” Carideo said. “And the people that support you and keep you going each day. It would be incredible to achieve that.

“But I think regardless, whatever I do, I’m still proud of what I’ve done at this time in my life. Who knows, in the future I might have other priorities that are more important.

“In order to hit that standard, you have to put in a lot of time and energy.”

Race calendar

Saturday

• Brain Injury Challenge Race for Recovery, 9 a.m., Richboro. Contact www.biapa.org.
• Hulmeville Hustle 5K, 8 a.m., Hulmeville. Contact www.runsignup.com.

Sunday

• 9/11 Heroes Run, 2 p.m., Doylestown. Contact www.runsignup.com.